The Killers: Endearing rockets

The Killers: Endearing rockets

VENUE: Padang Stage, Zone 4
ATTENDANCE: 60,000
WHEN: Saturday night
RATING: 4/5

The Killers sure know how to make up for lost time.

At their first Singapore outing, the Las Vegas quartet were positively incendiary, going all out to engage gig-goers during the 90-minute show.

The band had previously cancelled a 2010 date here due to frontman Brandon Flowers' mother being ill.

Here's what we loved about the concert.

 

FLOWERS WORKS THE CROWD

From the minute he stepped on stage, Flowers, 32, oozed charisma.

Dressed in black skinny jeans and a leather jacket, which he soon shed to reveal a red-and-white striped shirt, the guy was in a great mood.

Though many acts who come to Singapore tend to throw in an obligatory ni hao (Chinese for "how are you"), Flowers did not stop there.

He went on to greet his adoring following in both Malay and Tamil as well.

His pronunciation of apa khabar? and vanakam may not have been totally spot on, but the attempt was endearing, to say the least.

OLD IS GOLD

Predictably, it was the band's older material that got gig-goers truly grooving - and the band were more than happy to cater to their audience.

The 17-song setlist included plenty of hits from their first couple of albums, such as Smile Like You Mean It and Mr Brightside from 2003 debut Hot Fuss, and For Reasons Unknown and When You Were Young from Sam's Town (2006).

Their tight rendition of All These Things That I Have Done (2003) was goosebump-inducing.

 

COVER CHARGE

A fun moment during the show came when the guys performed a cover version of Tommy James And The Shondells' 1967 tune I Think We're Alone Now, made popular by 1980s pop star Tiffany.

Amid pulsating beats, fans bopped their heads and sang along to the familiar lyrics.

Inspired choice of song, we say.

 

GOING SOLO

Though Flowers does command attention, thanks to his unwavering showmanship, the other band members held their own pretty well, too.

Lead guitarist David Keuning and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr both showed off their chops with impressive instrumental solos.

On bass guitar, Jake Blanton filled in for bassist Mark Stoermer, who is reportedly taking a breather from touring due to a back injury.


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