2008 Woodie Awards
Monday's Big Kill
Adam Burton
Issue date: 12/3/04 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
Snowballing in success The Killers have slowly and infectiously climbed their way up the charts with their debut album Hot Fuss. Running on a buzz from other indie-rock bands such as Modest Mouse and Interpol, The Killers broke through and are privileged enough to headline their own U.S. tour that recently stopped in Orlando.
Live shows make or break bands and their future is uncertain. Touring the U.S. with only one supporting act, The Zutons, left The Killers to fulfill the requirement of musicianship to audiences alone.
The curtains opened to a dark stage at the House of Blues as the sold-out crowd cheered for The Killers, hoping to coax them into coming out. A good five minutes later the roaring got louder as the stage lit up and the Killers opened with their first song of the night and newest single "Mr. Brightside."
Taking a look at the band on stage one would think they were a lounge act and not an internationally famous band. Dressed in mismatched suits the band swayed about as they played. Lead singer and keyboard player Brandon Flowers strolled around stage in the likeness of Shatner. This brand of arrogance ultimately made Flowers seem bored with his own band's songs.
Little enthusiasm came from the band, who would approach the crowd every now and then and bob up and down to attempt to get a reaction. They played on through fan favorites such as "Smells Like You Mean It" and "Jenny Was A Friend of Mine." Every once and awhile Flowers would make his way over to his rhinestone studded keyboard to play a few notes and electronic noises to give himself something to do.
Bottom line - the chemistry between The Killers and the crowd was nonexistent. By the time the band closed with their hit single "Somebody Told Me," the general feeling was of the night was 'Is that it?'
It is obvious a show did not go over well when two out of every three groups of people walking out are complaining about how the show sucked.
The only potential savior of the evening was the opening act The Zutons, who at least seemed genuinely consumed and enthralled by their fused brand of classic and modern rock, soul and funk. Watching the five members dance about on stage in a frantic and seemingly uncoordinated style was reminiscent of bands hailing from the 60s, when music was a revolution and not a corporate buy-in. Hailing from England the band was a fitting opener for The Killers and got the crowd energized for The Killers.
That energy unfortunately faded in a short-lived show, with a performance from a band that will likely have a short-lived career.
Live shows make or break bands and their future is uncertain. Touring the U.S. with only one supporting act, The Zutons, left The Killers to fulfill the requirement of musicianship to audiences alone.
The curtains opened to a dark stage at the House of Blues as the sold-out crowd cheered for The Killers, hoping to coax them into coming out. A good five minutes later the roaring got louder as the stage lit up and the Killers opened with their first song of the night and newest single "Mr. Brightside."
Taking a look at the band on stage one would think they were a lounge act and not an internationally famous band. Dressed in mismatched suits the band swayed about as they played. Lead singer and keyboard player Brandon Flowers strolled around stage in the likeness of Shatner. This brand of arrogance ultimately made Flowers seem bored with his own band's songs.
Little enthusiasm came from the band, who would approach the crowd every now and then and bob up and down to attempt to get a reaction. They played on through fan favorites such as "Smells Like You Mean It" and "Jenny Was A Friend of Mine." Every once and awhile Flowers would make his way over to his rhinestone studded keyboard to play a few notes and electronic noises to give himself something to do.
Bottom line - the chemistry between The Killers and the crowd was nonexistent. By the time the band closed with their hit single "Somebody Told Me," the general feeling was of the night was 'Is that it?'
It is obvious a show did not go over well when two out of every three groups of people walking out are complaining about how the show sucked.
The only potential savior of the evening was the opening act The Zutons, who at least seemed genuinely consumed and enthralled by their fused brand of classic and modern rock, soul and funk. Watching the five members dance about on stage in a frantic and seemingly uncoordinated style was reminiscent of bands hailing from the 60s, when music was a revolution and not a corporate buy-in. Hailing from England the band was a fitting opener for The Killers and got the crowd energized for The Killers.
That energy unfortunately faded in a short-lived show, with a performance from a band that will likely have a short-lived career.