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Photo © 2022 Chris Phelps
www.chrisphelps.com
Imploding the Mirage Tour 2022
RAC Arena – Perth, Australia
12.6.22.

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THE KILLERS
@ RAC Arena, Perth,
6th December 2022
(Live Review)

Review by Melanie Griffiths

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Photo © 2022 Chris Phelps
www.chrisphelps.com
Imploding the Mirage Tour 2022
RAC Arena – Perth, Australia
12.6.22.

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When You Were Young:
The Killers return to bring glitz and guts back to Perth

For some fans, this was a long time coming. The Killers who last toured Australia back in 2018 were set for a national tour in 2020 to promote their sixth album “Imploding The Mirage” yet that all came to an abrupt halt with the pandemic. Finally, after two years, the Grammy-nominated band from Nevada returned to the stage triumphantly, reminding a crowd of over 12,000 that rock ‘n’ roll lives still lives.

“There is something stronger than a pandemic, and that is being back together [and] something called rock ‘n’ roll” – Brandon Flowers

For a rock show, the punters were keyed up for a good time. Some had even brought their preteens with some wearing Killers merch, a truly wholesome sight. Perhaps it’s because The Killers’ music is ultimately more uplifting than raunchy, or perhaps millennial parents are trying to impart their musical tastes. Either way, it made for a crowd who were chomping at the bit by the time the first reverbed keys of “My Own Soul’s Warning” droned out over the audience.

The band came out in a blaze of energy and bravado as frontman Brandon Flowers, dressed in a fitted dark blazer took his position as conductor of the night. The first of several confetti blasts exploded upwards showering the crowd in tissue paper and in all senses of the word it felt like a sensory overload giving the crowd permission, or a directive, to get loose and appreciate finally being back together.

A short outing of “Enterlude” was then followed up by their massive hit, and one of the greatest alternative indie rock songs of the 2000s “When You Were Young” from 2006’s “Sam’s Town”. Big and brash the dial was tuned up to 11 where it would stay for the rest of the night. The Killers have perfected the right tempo to get a crowd of thousands bouncing in an undulating wave, keeping their dance songs between that sweet spot of 130-148bpm. It’s infectious making it impossible not to be swept up in the grandeur and fun of it all.

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Photo © 2022 Chris Phelps
www.chrisphelps.com
Imploding the Mirage Tour 2022
RAC Arena – Perth, Australia
12.6.22.

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“Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine” and “Smile Like You Mean It” sounds almost like classic rock, pigeonholed by spacious synths and sentimental lyrics reminiscent of the mid-2000s. Even still it was what the crowd wanted and the band was delivering. Drummer Ronald Vannucci Jr sat on a drum riser belting out dependable rhythms and drum fills through “Shot At The Night” and the furious “Somebody Told Me” as Flowers stalked the stage singing with the passion of a preacher trying to bring you to glory. During the funk-driven “Fire In Bone”, the band and Flowers glowed, clearly enjoying themselves and the rapturous energy coming off the crowd.

The show was over the top but never overblown. The staging was benefitting a rock band that’s sold over 28 million records and sold out arenas across the globe. High LED screens displayed sumptuous graphics inspired by the “Imploding The Mirage” artwork by African-American artist Thomas Blackshear. Vistas of the Nevada desert and purple-hued starlight skies accompanied songs like the sweet “A Dustland Fairytale” (a song inspired by Flower’s parent’s enduring relationship). In “Human” the screens projected tens of boxed people dancing, a scene that was reminiscent of Muse’s The Resistance tour. Accompanying the graphics was a light and laser show that could’ve lit up a small town. During the radio-friendly “Caution” gold pyrotechnics rained down and up on the stage, there was no way you could ever call The Killers subtle.

However, when you have a singer like Flowers at the helm- The Killers despite their tendency for their new music to lean into lofty persuasions- are a force to be reckoned with. Flowers’ voice bellowed out with clarity and strength, and his stage presence was warm and mesmerising. If Adam Lambert needs a rest, Flowers would make a worthy stand-in for Queen.

For the encore, there could only be one song to close the night. So after a vibrant delivery of “Spaceman”, The Killers edged 12,000 fans with a sentimental version of “Mr Brightside” before finally giving the crowd what it wanted with proper guitars thrashing, a barrage of drums, opulent synths and Flowers singing with the torment of a paranoid lover. The thunderous, heady roar of the crowd followed by their singing showed that The Killers are still at the top of their game proving that they may be one of the best around in delivering gripping rock shows.

4.5 / 5 Stars

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Photo © 2022 Chris Phelps
www.chrisphelps.com
Imploding the Mirage Tour 2022
RAC Arena – Perth, Australia
12.6.22.

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Follow THE KILLERS
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
Spotify – YouTube

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Photo © 2022 Chris Phelps
www.chrisphelps.com
Imploding the Mirage Tour 2022
RAC Arena – Perth, Australia
12.6.22.

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AMNPLIFY – DB