The Killers

I've heard some people say that The Killers have given some disappointing performances on their tour.

If that's the case, then they have certainly improved out of sight!

Last night marked their final performance of their current tour, and it was fantastic. I missed the first supporting act, however the Howling Bells were incredibly good, and I'll be looking out for their album.

Normally the antics of the crowd don't amuse me much, but for just a few moments there was the most amazing sight: in the seats to the left of the stage the old Mexican Wave was started up. After a few faltering tries we all got into the spirit of things and it flowed smoothly around the stadium until it hit the right-side of the stage. Left started again, around to right... and then the mosh-pit joined in! Now I've always thought the Mexican Wave is a bit, well, silly, but it really did look awesome rippling around the stadium, then across the front of the stage to start again. We all did it twice, then the allure wore off. Still, points to the die-hards to the left of the stage who kept trying to revive it.

Then: the main act. Suspense was built: images from their Sam's Town album were played over a swathe of gauzy white material in front of the stage... the music gathered momentum with a stomach-shuddering intensity, the crowd was cheering, and then... MOVEMENT BEHIND THE CURTAIN! The noise from the crowd reached a nigh-unbearable level and then BOOM! The curtain dropped, the mosh pit was showered with sparkliness, and the show was underway.

It truly was brilliant, a mix of old and new stuff, with everyone's favourites getting a hearing. The show opened, quite appropriately, with the title track: Sam's Town, a big, loud, head-bopping, rhythm thumping, guitar-slaying glory of a song. And you should have heard the roar when old favourites Jenny Was A Friend of Mine, Somebody Told Me, and Mr Brightside were played.

Brandon will never make a career as a dancer, but his energy is amazing - I don't think I saw him stand still for longer than about two seconds, even when he was at the keyboard. The two guitarists faded somewhat into the scenery, not really drawing too much attention to themselves (or maybe they did, and I didn't see*) but, as a fan of drummers, I was glad to see Ronnie stand up (quite literally) and get a bit of attention from the audience.

I'd love to see these guys again in another couple of years to see how much they've improved again, providing I can afford whatever they charge if/when they come back and are hugely successful. To see this show was about $84, which works out to $21 per band member. Less if you include the guy at the back of the stage playing additional guitar and keyboards. And even less again if you include the supporting act I caught (I hope you follow my thinking - I'm dividing the ticket price up to see what I paid roughly per person I saw perform). In my opinion, it was well worth the cost. But here's where female logic comes in - regardless of the number of people in the group, I really hate paying more than $100 for a concert. Bon Jovi is coming early next year, tickets $130. Damn I hope I find some moolah stashed away somewhere so I can go. I saw them about 11 years ago, I think, up in Brisbane, and they were brilliant: it'd be nice to see 'em again...

* There's a good reason I may not have seen. Indulge me for just a moment to send out a message to the girl in the upper section, row FF, seat 263: your ass is neither as tiny, cute, perky, nor see-through as you seem to think. Also, "muffin-top" is not a good look: hipster/low-rider jeans are a privilege, not a right (thanks Mel for giving me that little quote).