Review of the Killers Concert

I often times pride myself of having an eclectic taste in music, but one of my regrets was having little familiarity with the works of The Killers. Don't get me wrong. I knew about eight songs and I definitely appreciated their sound, but I did go into the Viejas Arena (formerly called the Cox Arena) with little knowledge of anything else. However, for someone who didn't followed The Killers as zealously as others I thoroughly enjoyed the show from beginning to end. So, undoubtedly, if you know all their songs and the lyrics to those songs you will not be disappointed for the performance they will present to their audience.

Lights and Displays:

One of the key attributes of the show were the four split screen panels propped up behind the band. Projected on the screens were short clips of random images varying from fireworks, drawn hearts in boxes, and landscapes to repetitive clips of a bride and groom jumping and women dancing the Charleston. However, the technical lighting and presentation of the concert as a whole was impressive. The most memorable song for me because of the well thought out lighting process was Smile Like You Mean It: the band as a whole began off musically soft and serene with beams of light aimed carefully at the crowd during the chorus. However, the last couple of choruses of the song were played loud and exuberantly, all the while having the whole arena drowned in the color red to mirror the bands energy and meaning of the lyrics.

Music:

As any good artist should do for a concert, The Killers composed a set list with a healthy balance of their newer songs from their most recent album Day & Age (released late 2008) to ignite new interest in their fans and their older songs to remind their fans of what they enjoyed from the beginning. Songs such as Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me,Smile Like You Mean It, and When We Were Young are examples of their oldies but definite goodies that they performed.

Furthermore the energy of the band was powerful and unrelenting. By simply listening to their studio recorded music, one can already tell the amount of energy and technicality put into their work. So it was such a delight to witness and hear that energy live. Plus, I had already decided prior to my attendance of the show that frontman Brandon Flowers had a voice akin to a parade leader or ringmaster with his "come one, come all!" singing. I love that distinct nuance to this band, and it certainly was something else to see that attention-demanding voice perform live and literally grab the attention of the audience. Flowers would often go as far as to stand at the top of the wedge shaped amps and thrust the mic stand into the air while singing as if making an important proclamation to a mass of people.

So, my overall experience at a Killer's concert was exceptional and memorable. I deeply encourage others to catch a show near them if they can! Their future tour dates can be viewed on their official website.

Cite:

www.thekillersmusic.com

http://www.tourtracker.com/artist/the-killers/1764680

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killers