The Killers Live at Qudos Bank Arena 06/10/24 – A Masterclass in Theatrical Rock
ALL PHOTOS BY CHRIS PHELPS
There’s always been something so magnetic about The Killers. Maybe it’s the way their songs have embedded themselves into the soundtracks to so many of our lives, or the unrelenting energy they bring to every performance. Whatever it is, on 6th December 2024 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, The Killers reminded us exactly why they’re one of the most beloved live acts in the world.
The fans were donning their merch, both old and new with pride. I loved seeing them dance like crazy and throw caution (pun intended) to the wind. It was also so wonderful to see such a diverse crowd, and know their music will be kept alive for decades to come with the newer fans.
The night kicked off with my personal favourite, Read My Mind. It was an opener that set the tone for what was to come – a relentless, larger-than-life celebration of their discography. From the outset, Brandon Flowers was the undisputed ringmaster. Charismatic and theatrical, he strutted across the stage, feeding off the crowd’s roaring energy and giving it back tenfold. If there’s one thing clear about Flowers, it’s that he thrives on connection.
The setlist itself was a gift, a perfect balance of massive hits and tracks for the dedicated fans. Songs like Human and Smile Like You Mean It had the crowd singing every word like their lives depended on it, while the explosive Somebody Told Me brought the kind of raw energy that made you want to jump until your legs gave out! Then there were those deeply emotional moments, like Runaways, where Flowers’ vocals soared over a sea of swaying hands (mine included, and with added emotion as I had to stand for it, too).
I quite literally lost it when All These Things That I’ve Done began. As a long-time fan, that song holds a particularly special place in my heart. “We first performed this song 20 years ago,” Flowers shared, his voice filled with emotion. “Getting to come out to a place like Australia was huge, and to be standing here singing this 20 years later is incredible.” And it is - what an incredible accomplishment to still be bringing in tens of thousands of fans who are just as passionate about your music today as they were two decades ago!
Throughout the night, Flowers delivered passionate speeches that felt straight out of a Southern American church revival. With a preacher-like fervour, he addressed the crowd, his words brimming with conviction and energy. Whether he was encouraging us to embrace the moment or reflecting on the band’s journey, Flowers’ delivery was captivating, his voice rising and falling in rhythm, drawing cheers and applause from the audience. It was theatrical, heartfelt, and undeniably magnetic – a testament to his ability to blur the line between rock frontman and impassioned storyteller.
Of course to close the show, we were given two of their biggest songs: When You Were Young and Mr Brightside. As soon as When You Were Young began, everybody was stadning in their seats and belting their hearts out. Fully aware we were now in the final-songs territory, the arena gave it their all. To me, that was the most overwhelming number of the night. The collective passion was off the charts! Then for Mr Brightside, that unmistakable opening riff rang out, and the anticipation was palpable. But instead of diving straight into the full-blown anthem everyone expected, the band slowed things down, delivering a stripped-back, almost guitarless rendition that left the crowd holding their breath. Was this how it was going to end? It was a bold move – but just as quickly as they had pulled us into this raw, delicate moment, they switched gears, exploding into the high-octane version we all know and love. The crowd erupted, singing every word like it was a hymn, and for those few minutes, it felt like the entire arena was one.
Visually, the show was classically captivating. With dazzling diamond-shaped lights, a giant neon sign that read ‘The Killers: Rebel Diamonds’ and an led-backdrop for that added cinematic flair, it was made to feel like a country-western desert bar stage (but of course, way more glamorous). But it was the band’s energy – particularly Flowers’ magnetic stage presence – that carried the show. Every movement, every note felt deliberate, crafted to pull you deeper into their Rebel Diamond world.
The Killers didn’t just perform; they delivered. They gave us moments to scream, to cry, to lose ourselves completely in the music. A reminder of why we keep coming back to see them: for nights like this.
