The Killers took to the stage at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre amidst rumours that their days are numbered in, unbelievably, their debut performance in the capital.
Frontman Brandon Flowers cut an energetic, charismatic figure in pink and the tone was set from the get go as the band ripped into their signature song, “Mr Brightside”, usually saved for the encore; you could taste the frenzy.
If this WAS their last Scottish stint, they were going out with a bang; the hits came thick and fast, reminding us why they are the band they are today. “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine”, “Spaceman”, “Human”, “Read My Mind”, “Shot At The Night” and “Smile Like You Mean It” shaped the set, with a splattering of efforts from their latter albums, “Run For Cover”, “Dying Breed”, “Caution” and “Runaway Horses”, the only inclusion from their latest release, 2021’s “Pressure Machine”, their seventh studio album in 17 years.
Fan favourite, “Somebody Told Me” was described by Flowers as “a tribute to our town”, before their take on The Waterboys, “The Whole Of The Moon” which was, “a tribute to yours” – a cover version that is screaming out to be recorded. A visibly emotional Flowers struggled to hold back the tears, overwhelmed; he was not alone, the poignancy was palpable among his people. “Bling (Confession Of A King)” was a surprise admission, and the absence of “For Reasons Unknown” was a glaring omission, but no surprise given the recent controversy in Georgia.
Watching The Killers play live is a euphoric experience, almost religious, with “All These Things That I’ve Done” being their “take them to church moment”. It has the same impact now as it did on its release almost two decades ago, and “I got soul, but I’m not a soldier” may be somewhat nonsensical, but the unity it brings to a crowd is impossible to deny.
The encore brought “The Man” and showcased Flowers at his very best; flamboyant, electric and tantalising. Special guest support and guitar hero, Johnny “Fucking” Marr joined The Killers onstage for a rousing version of “This Charming Man”, made famous by his former band, The Smiths before Springsteen inspired anthem, When You Were Young” brought things to a close … for how long, who knows?
The sentiment of The Killers sophomore album, “Sam’s Town” was not out of place for their Edinburgh slot, it WAS good to have them with us, even if it was just for the day.
Hopefully, there are still many more days to come.
Review by Siobhanne Beattie
