Killers try out big stage for size

Killers try out big stage for size

By John Aizlewood, Evening Standard 26.02.07 More reviews by John Aizlewood

More often than not, the people know best. Despite the muted critical response to the Killers' second album, Sam's Town, it emulated its predecessor Hot Fuss by hurtling to the top of the charts. And, surprisingly for a group hitherto unrecognised in their own land, it even reached number two in the United States.

Anyway, the critics were wrong. The heroic Sam's Town deservedly won International Album at the Brits and its dazzling, widescreen ambition bears more fruit with every riproaring single. Last night the second of their two Wembley Arena shows marked the band's arrival on the big stage, and how well it suited them.

In truth, the band - also crowned international group at the Brits - are not as animated as others. "I haven't got the gift of the gab," admitted singer Brandon Flowers, one of those rare performers able simultaneously to stand up, play keyboards with one hand, hold a microphone with the other and still not look flustered.

In fact, this odd little Mormon and erstwhile hotel porter barely said a word. By any reasonable yardstick, he didn't actually do much, save for a few camp little twirls and a leap onto his piano during All These Things That I've Done to sing its "I got soul, but I'm not a soldier" chant.

Yet, dressed like a Wild West fairground carney, standing on the speakers declaiming like a snake oil salesman-cumpreacher and with his stentorian voice making every song sound like the opening skirmishes of Armageddon, he exuded eye-popping star quality.

The Las Vegas quartet did things differently. Although such a bold move may not have endeared them to those poor souls at the back of the barn, The Killers eschewed the comfort blanket of big screens.

Braver still, before 15 minutes had passed, they had unleashed thunderous versions of what are arguably their finest songs, Somebody Told Me and When You Were Young.

Having seemingly peaked they upped the ante with the murder song Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine, the ironic Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll and This River Is Wild, which nodded manfully to Aztec Camera's Somewhere In My Heart.

As the spectacle soared and soared again, the fervid crowd hollered along with everything, even the tongue-twisting verses to Mr Brightside and if few recognised a gloriously reworked version of Joy Division's Shadowplay, they hummed themselves hoarse anyway.

And, memorable though they were, I can't help thinking there's more and better to come.

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