The Killers bring their slice of Vegas to Glasgow on their Rebel Diamonds tour
The Nevada band put on a high-powered rock & roll show on the third night of their stint in Glasgow.
Photo: Chris Phelps
Exactly 20 years on from their first headline show at Glasgow’s King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, The Killers were on the third and final date of their Rebel Diamonds tour in the city’s OVO Hydro. And, with Scottish band Travis as their support, the arena was packed from the get-go. Young and old fans alike raring to go for a night of rock & roll.
Being able to ask questions like “Is anyone from East Kilbride?” alongside their timeless repertoire, Travis made what might have been an otherwise challenging slot for any other band feel deeply personal and completely their own.
Particularly special was their cover of fellow Scots Aztec Camera’s Somewhere in My Heart, during which the audience were shocked to see not just one but two of The Killers, including vocalist Brandon Flowers himself, grace the stage before they were due to go on. Singing to huge cheers, Brandon and Travis’ Fran Healy bounced off one another like old friends for a heart-warming performance of the 1987 hit, creating a moment that could put a smile on even the grumpiest of faces.
But having had their appetiser, the room was now itching for their main. Luckily, they only had another half hour to wait before the house lights went down and Brandon Flowers emerged from between the blue lit curtains that were draped across the stage. Dazzling the audience once again with his presence and pearly white smile.
Standing before the crowd and quieting them with a hand, Brandon began with his scriptures of rock and roll: “You don’t gain confidence by shouting affirmations in the mirror. You’ve got to give the world irrefutable evidence that you are who you say you are. We’re The Killers and we’re a great rock & roll band.”
Within eight notes everyone knew this to be true as the arena rose for the real British national anthem: Mr Brightside. The perfect shock to the system to get the party started for anyone who, like me, had been convinced it would be the Nevada band’s final song.
Photo: Chris Phelps
Playing with teeth quaking ferocity, The Killers smashed through hits like it was nothing; their dazzling Vegas-themed staging making it a show as visually exciting as it was sonically. From Shot At The Night, Run For Cover and 2004 hit Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine, there was no time to waste as the band raced to show all the excitement of their hometown through blinding laser lights and stunning desert landscapes. It was truly a show with all the indulgence of America’s Sin City.
Yet, in what felt like a breath, the well-oiled machine had played through most of their long list of hits. Somebody Told Me and Human seeing the audience chant every single word back to the band, and When You Were Young seeing Brandon hold the audience’s attention in the palm of his upraised hand.
But there was still one classic left to hear, and The Killers had saved the best for last, even if I didn’t know it at the time. Beginning with the awe-inducing combo of ethereal piano chords and Brandon’s hearty vocals, the drums and guitar kicked in with fervour for The Killers to finish their set off with the euphoric All These Things That I’ve Done. Egging the audience on as they chanted “I got soul but I’m not a soldier”, Brandon commanded the thousands into a moment of pure elation before confetti shot over the crowd in true finale style.
The Killers distilled joy into its purest form throughout their entire show, but more so in these last few moments, and it’s a moment I won’t soon forget. So, all I can say is, if you’ve not seen The Killers live yet, add it to the bucket list.