The Killers bring Hyde Park to its knees with an incredible performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Killers are a part of the pantheon of bands that could headline any festival anywhere in the world, but it’s no surprise when you consider the sheer amount of bangers they have at their disposal, and as 65,000 people cram into Hyde Park to watch, they pull out a 110% banger count. If their surprise set at Glastonbury was the entrée, then this is the main course and dessert with sprinkles on top.

The band appear on stage to an almost sinister synth with Brandon Flowers’ keyboard in the shape of the letter K and backed by an even bigger version lit up in lights. Kicking into ‘The Man’ (with a little help from some confetti cannons) from upcoming album ‘Wonderful Wonderful’, Flowers is the man providing a masterclass in being the frontman whipping up a storm in a pink leather jacket. Unlike at Glastonbury, there’s no sign of bassist Mark Stoermer with his role being played by touring member Jake Blanton.

There’s no sign of any unreleased material as the band rip through ‘Somebody Told Me’ and ‘Spaceman’ with Flowers having his Freddie Mercury moment with the end of the latter. “Can you believe it’s been four years since Wembley?” Flowers asks the crowd, “We need to get reacquainted” - and they certainly do with ‘Smile Like You Mean It’. Before ‘Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine’, Flowers explains: “This song was meant to be played in the dark,” but the band give it a shot anyway and what a magnificent shot it is.

Earlier in the day, the band tweeted asking fans whether they’d like to hear ‘Hot Fuss’ cut ‘Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll’, or ‘Sam’s Town’ favourite ‘This River Is Wild’ and as Flowers quips “Is it time?” we’re about to find out. “Last October,” begins Flowers, “it was the ten year anniversary of 'Sam’s Town' so we got it ready to play.” Before launching into the latter, Flowers disappears off stage to change his jacket into a more suitable one, quipping: "The guy that sings 'This River Is Wild' does not wear a leather pink jacket." The wait is worth it though as it’s a phenomenal performance finishing with Flowers on piano, next to drummer Ronnie ‘Unstoppable’ Vanucci Jr, playing a small snippet of ‘Human’ before the real thing later in the evening.

Joy Division cover ‘Shadowplay’ gets an airing before Flowers picks up the bass asking the crowd, “Do you know what this means?” before launching into ‘For Reasons Unknown’. ‘A Dustland Fairytale’ comes to life magically as the sun sets behind the trees while ‘Runaways’ is unstoppable with its all American ferocity. The band finish the main part of the set with ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’ with “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” ringing around Hyde Park for even those congregated outside the gates to hear.

In a shower of confetti, the band walks off the stage before returning a few moments later for ‘Day & Age’ track ‘This Is Your Life’, and ‘Shot At The Night’. During ‘When You Were Young’, guitarist Dave Keuning is in his element looking the very image of rock and roll in his black suit and aviator sunglasses as he rips through the guitar solo with pyro in the background. Of course, this isn’t the end. What else could the band finish with apart from a song that has stayed in the charts since it was first released in 2003? ‘Mr. Brightside’ sees the park erupt in pure elation with fireworks at its climax and as the band walk off stage, they have brought Hyde Park to its knees with an incredible performance.

The Killers played:

The Man Somebody Told Me Spaceman The Way It Was Smile Like You Mean It Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine This River Is Wild Bling (Confession of a King) Shadowplay Human For Reasons Unknown A Dustland Fairytale Read My Mind Runaways All These Things That I’ve Done Encore: This Is Your Life Shot At The Night When You Were Young Mr. Brightside[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]