Not even a miserable London night could sour the mood as The Killers provided the perfect comeback to English soil with a triumphant show. They powered through a greatest hits set at the opening night of the Hard Rock Calling festival, and were in exceptional form throughout.
It was an overcast day at Hyde Park with the warnings of later downpours, so waterproofs and ponchos were out on force as the crowd were treated to the pleasing early sets from Wolf Gang and Michael Kiwanuka. However it was the introduction of James that first got people going, a full-blown version of ‘Sit Down’ and some acid-esque grooving from frontman Tim Booth getting the first jumps from a dampened crowd.
Kaiser Chiefs kept the mood going; with new songs and old classics furthering their return to form. Of the new tracks on show, ‘Kinda Girl You Are’ goes down best, but it’s the well-known tunes that really kick the show off. As the rain started coming down, ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’, ‘Ruby’ and ‘I Predict A Riot’ all start up mania, capped off by show-stopper ‘Oh My God’. But whereas Wilson and Co. sounded good, Brandon and Co. sounded phenomenal.
Opening with the jubilant ‘Glamorous Indie Rock ‘N’ Roll’, The Killers were start to finish amazing and treated the adoring crowd to an epic set packed with hits. Superlatives quickly ran out as the high quality was set from the off; Brandon leading mass sing-a-longs as they reeled off the bouncing ‘Spaceman’, indie pop perfection in ‘Somebody Told Me’, rock-fuelled ‘For Reasons Unknown’ and keyboard bliss ‘Smile Like You Mean It’.
In their first UK show in two years and with the four-piece currently involved in individual projects, they showed no signs at all of rustiness as they drove on with their expert performance. It was a pretty even collection as well; five tracks from each album; and it was clear the band were on a mission. ‘Bones’, ‘Bling (Confession of a King)’ and brightly lit odyssey ‘Human’ especially drawing thrilled responses, with the cover of Joy Division’s ‘Shadowplay’ the only possible chance for a toilet break.
But from the snyth-ballad brilliance of ‘Read My Mind’ onwards, there was no leaving your spot as they roared through their biggest songs. Following swiftly after was their calling card, ‘Mr Brightside’, met with a typically euphoric reaction, then it hits almost angelical levels as Brandon leads the heavenly ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’. But they are not done just yet; the encore brings the cheery ‘This Is Your Life’, a dirty-bass take on ‘Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine’ and the final bow of ‘When You Were Young’, complete with fireworks and all. Job done.
It may have been wet and windy throughout, the sound could have been turned up a dash or two, and there were the usual drunken idiots who seem to try to ruin every gig, but it didn’t matter at all. The Killers return was all-conquering; their hits were there for everyone to see, they were on spectacular form and successfully reminded us that on their day, they are one of the most formidable bands around.
NWR
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