The Killers returned to the Hydro on the 25th of June for the first night of three, touring their best of album, Rebel Diamonds.
Covering their twenty year history, it was the clear the audience were in for wave of nostalgia and a few recent hits.
Travis
Glasgow’s gem Travis opened up the gig, getting the crowd moving from their first song Sing.
This energy was sustained with lead singer Fran Healy launching into a speech about how they are here to warm the audience up.
Image credit: Megan Knight
Side and Turn had everyone singing along.
However, they slowed everything down, asking the crowd to wave their torches along to the mellow tune of Closer.
Image credit: Megan Knight
It was a beautfiul moment in a night filled with many.
They closed their set with the iconic Why Does It Always Rain On Me? A perfect ending to an unbelievable set.
The Killers
After a forty five minute wait, the curtain that was drawn across the stage began to glow blue.
The crowd was cheering as lead singer Brandon Flowers spoke the line, “The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun”.
Read My Mind smashed in when the curtains pulled away. An incredible opener that set the mood for the gig going forward.
At the end of the song Flowers reintroduced the crowd to guitarist Dave Keuing, closing out the track with a solo.
Somebody Told Me was up next. A club banger that had the entire stadium singing and dancing.
Image credit: Megan Knight
The love for their first album Hot Fuss continued with the next few tracks.
Bringing a light show to the dark Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine, even including the changing the lyrics of the song.
Smile Like You Mean It had the crowd roaring. A couple behind me screamed every line without missing a beat.
Brandon swaggered around the stage delivering a speech that got the crowd riled up. Stating that, “We didn’t come here to pacify, we came here to electrify,”
Electrify they did, launching into their instant classic The Man. Setting off confetti cannons and giving a light show that would put Las Vegas to shame.
Image credit: Megan Knight
They returned to their early work with the underrated On Top. Before they brought the mood down with another short discussion.
Flowers pointed out that someone in the audience was on the floor. The person was helped quickly after this.
He then went on to talk to the audience directly about the bands influence, their influences and a story of how his parents were able to find love in the Mojave desert.
This touching moment acted as an introduction for the bands greatest love ballad, A Dustland Fairytale.
All These Things That I’ve Done brought the excitement back to the crowd, with the stadium chanting “I’ve got soul, but i’m not a soldier.” long after the song ended.
When You Were Young was up next, carrying the same thrills as the previous song.
Flowers gave one last speech about showing up and showing love to those we care about. Once he finished the band began to play Dying Breed.
Featuring a gorgeous back drop and one more blast from the confetti cannon, It was surprising song that had the crowd excited.
Image credit: Megan Knight
At the end of the song the band left the stage, making way for the encore.
After a brief exit, the band came back swinging with their most recent song Your Side Of Town.
An incredible dance pop fusion that sounds more like Daft Punk, than The Killers.
Continuing their streak of covers, the band delivered a surprisngly great cover of Erasures, A Little Respect.
Image credit: Megan Knight
The last song of the night was the one everyone had been waiting for.
Mr Brightside, the Jacques Lu Cont remix ripped across the arena. A wave of excitement unlike anything previously seen.
However, at the end of the first chorus, the band switched the song back to the regular version.
You could feel the excitement from the jumping crowd and slurred singing.
The band closed the night off on a high note, thanking the crowd and bidding everyone fairwell until next time.
With an almost two hour set including all the hits and some deep cut, it was a gig that will reamain in everyones minds for a long time.
Featured image credit: Megan Knight
Fourth year Film and Journalism student
Deputy editor
Contact - deputyeditor@brignews.com
