Last night (Monday November 27), The Killers played the first of two headline shows at London’s O2 Arena. The Las Vegas stadium gods showcased tracks from this year’s ‘Wonderful Wonderful‘ album, as well as treating the sold out 20,000 capacity crowd to a killer selection of their greatest hits. It was an unforgettable return to the UK capital – check out exclusive photos on NME below.
All photos: Rob Loud
Right from the get-go, last night’s show was an celebration of big-budget, all-American extravagance. Strutting poses from the front, Flowers and co. opened with ‘Wonderful Wonderful’, the title-track from their latest album, before playing Bowie-channelling hit single ’The Man’.
With drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. on a giant platform, he and fellow founding member Flowers were joined by three backing vocalists, plus a touring bassist and guitarist.
The stage was adorned with giant props: a ten-foot Mars (male) symbol in front of Flowers; three Venus symbols for each backing singer; confetti canons popping off after the first song; a water tower with “London” adorned on the front and neon-lit cowboys appearing on screens. ‘Sam’s Town’ had come to the UK.
Early in the set, they played ‘Somebody Told Me’, the group’s second ever single (and winner of 2005’s Best Rock Song Grammy).
Next up, the “woah-oh-oh” chanting ‘Spaceman’ and recent single ‘Run For Cover’. Still, there remained a sense they were saving their best material for a hit-stuffed encore.
“I know it’s a Monday, but it feels like Saturday night,” Flowers declared midway through the set. Even before they arrived on stage, the O2 crowd were forming Mexican waves, and barely any of those in the audience were rooted to their seats.
It was a masterclass in showmanship from Flowers, who gave inspirational quotes in-between songs and led the audience through synchronised dance routines. Again, not the average Monday night.
A highlight of the set saw The Killers covering Dire Straights’ ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – it’s the fifth time they’ve played it during November’s UK tour.
Anyone popping home before the four-song encore missed out. Opening with ‘The Calling’, they then played a stunning one-two-three of ‘Jenny Was a Friend of Mine’, ‘When You Were Young’ and inevitable closer ‘Mr. Brightside’. The best moment arrived just before, however, when the O2 hit its biggest singalong with ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’.
The Killers return to the O2 Arena tonight (Tuesday November 28) for a second round. They return to the States for December tour dates in December, and they’re already confirmed for a couple of 2018 festival dates – Hangout in Alabama, US (May 18) and Lisbon, Portugal’s Rock in Rio (June 29).
