On June 7, 2004, the band released its debut album, Hot Fuss, to immense commercial acclaim and success, selling more than seven million copies worldwide. Ever since, the band has remained one of the most popular acts in the industry.

Follow-up albums have also been incredibly successful. Sam’s Town has sold more than five million albums worldwide, Day & Age has sold more than three million, and latest release Battle Born has sold more than one million copies. The bottom line? The Killers are one of the biggest acts in music today.

When The Killers arrived in Houston, TX  for a show at Bayou Music Center, they were ready. Sold out for weeks, fan lined up outside the venue long before the doors were open. Inside, The Killers were waiting and preparing for a night that would ultimately leave fans mesmerized, enchanted, and fulfilled.

Around 9:15PM, the magic began.

The band entered the stage to house lights. With no notable background or stage effects, the band kicked things off with “Mr. Brightside.” Once the song ended, the house lighting went dark. Replaced by a large video screen, elaborate stage lighting, and lasers, The Killers continued the evening with an extravagant set-up perfectly fashioned to accompany the music.

From the start, The Killers nailed it. In performances of songs like “Spaceman,” “The Way It Was,” and “Smile Like You Mean It,” The Killers established an ambience that would carry throughout the entire evening. Guitarist Dave Keuning’s delay-rich guitar riffs permeated the venue with phenomenal precision and tone. Drummer Ronnie Vannucci, perched atop an elevated platform, kicked and snapped his kit with charisma and accuracy. Most of all, singer Brandon Flowers commanded the stage as his own home, flawlessly belting out rich and vibrant vocals as fans in attendance sang along.

Midway through the set, bassist Mark Stoermer took center stage where he alone performed a long, distorted, and intense bass progression. At the end of the introduction, the band kicked into a rousing edition of “Somebody Told Me,” and Stoermer’s performance continued to radiate. Flowing up-and-down the fret board with ease, Stoermer stood out where many of his contemporaries have failed to shine.

In “For Reasons Unknown,” Flowers had the crowd dancing. Later, he traded vocals with the fans in “From Here On Out.” Before playing “A Dustland Fairytale,” Flowers reminisced about the Las Vegas desert and his family. Indeed, Flowers had an uncanny ability to connect with his audience.

In the final song of the main set, Keuning played the familiar guitar riff of “All These Things That I’ve Done” as the crowd spontaneously broke out singing the words “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier.” By the time the song kicked in with the full complement of the band, the crowd was erupting with energy and enthusiasm, singing every word along with Flowers.

After a brief exit, the band returned and Flowers exclaimed, “I think we’ve got a few more in us!” Before starting “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine,” the music again cut out to allow Stoermer to lead with the song’s distinct bass line.

From beginning to end, “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” brilliantly captured the musicianship of each of the band members. For this onlooker, “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” was the standout performance of the evening.

Just prior to “When You Were Young,” Flowers asked the crowd, “would you like an introduction for this song?” After receiving the obligatory “YES,” Flowers discussed the band’s return to the studio after smash success debut album, Hot Fuss. Having received widespread acceptance, the band pondered its future. How could they keep the momentum going? According to Flowers, once they wrote “When You Were Young,” they knew everything would be ok. With the emotional introduction behind him, the band soared through the song with a romantic and introspective vibe that perfectly captured the essence of the evening.

With songs that cross genres and captivate audiences of all kinds, The Killers have few peers in the music industry. What’s more amazing is how quickly they have grown and developed a fanbase that could challenge some of the world’s biggest bands. Thankfully, The Killers are so much more than a “studio act” when they perform live. Simply put, they’re up there with the best. If you haven’t seen The Killers perform in person, cancel your plans, move it to the top of your agenda, and make it happen!

Setlist:
Mr. Brightside
Spaceman
The Way It Was
Smile Like You Mean It
[Spaceman Snippet]
Bling (Confession of a King)
Miss Atomic Bomb
Human
Somebody Told Me
Flesh and Bone
For Reasons Unknown
From Here On Out
A Dustland Fairytale
Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You) (Cover)
Read My Mind
Runaways
All These Things That I’ve Done

Encore:
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
When You Were Young
Battle Born

Contact Robert at robert@starsandsatellites.com