The Killers live at O2 Arena, North Greenwich, London (5.7.2024) with Travis supporting.
A seventh Killers gig for me tonight. I’m on a quest to stay sober for the evening after a string of irresponsible evenings, including my near death experience at a Bridgestone Arena, Nashville gig and the alcohol induced haze of the rainy Southampton St. Mary’s gig (previous blogs in the links). While not being absolutely squeaky clean, I didn’t have my first pint until after Travis had played and I remained restrained to immerse myself in the performance.
This was one of a run of dates The Killers were playing at the O2 Arena – I saw them here before, about 10 years back from up in the gods, when Brandon Flowers had been having throat problems. Things were better tonight with a decent view of things from the deck at the top of the lower tier, three quarters of the way back.
Travis played as good a support set as I can remember. They really got the crowd going with some old faves and a few from their new album, LA Times.
One of the new ones was Alive, captured here for my YouTube channel.
Plenty to keep the attention and momentum going and the last song, the anthem Why Does It Always Rain On Me, was introduced as one they always get everyone to pogo to. The crowd obliged – all the crowd. Very impressive and the new album is a good listen.
After the break, the show sign above the stage shines out. Expectations are huge and it all gets to bursting point at last, after the dramatic show opening. (Link to my YouTube channel.)
A show opening that really brought a touch of Vegas to town. So much better than an outdoor gig. The O2 is just right for this sort of gig – not always the case. It’s glitzy stuff this.
My wife Sally is the big Killers fan but I know the material – all of it and way back. Pretty good then to get six tracks from 2004 album (a CD that’ll be then) Hot Fuss. Jenny Was a Friend of Mine featured early on and I’d put that up there with Dustland Fairytale as my picks of the night.
The opening run of Read My Mind, the wonderful Somebody Told Me and Spaceman really got the party started. Brandon Flowers is the man and it’s hard not to just follow him with your eyes. He’s up on the stage edging and covering the whole front to ensure everyone who can gets to say hello.
The lights are good without overwhelming the show. There are interesting backdrops, moving backdrops and it’s non-stop hits. The setlist is a crowd pleaser. After all the Rebel Diamonds album, which the tour is called, is a greatest hits album with a few added tracks tacked on. There is no real low point.
The two new tracks from Rebel Diamonds – Your Side of Town and Boy – started the encores. These were followed by the sound of Erasure’s A Little Respect, and yes, out comes Andy Bell to guest on that. He stays for Human. That’s a treat. I’ve never seen Erasure but would have liked to back in their day.
Mr Brightside to end. I’ve almost heard it too much but hey ho, it’s inevitable and a fitting end.
I have finally made it – seeing The Killers and seeing it through to the end with out overdoing the beer. They were great and I was good. Job done. Next time Las Vegas?
Gigs with Ivan 