The Killers - Scala, London - 22nd June 2011 (Live Review)
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Written by Mark Richards
Scala in London’s Kings Cross has been many things. It has, at one point or another, been a temporary factory for airplane parts during the First World War, a children’s cinema, a very adult cinema and also nearly bankrupted by Stanley Kubrick.
In more recent times it’s better known as a major nightclub venue where some of the biggest names in music have turned when they are in the mood for an intimate gig. Coldplay, Foo Fighters, The Chemical Brothers and Moby, to name but a few, have graced the stage at Scala to perform in front of a capacity crowd of just 1,145.
Tonight’s guests The Killers are no strangers to the pubs and clubs in London, where they spent much of their early days having just signed their first record deal with a British label in 2003. The Las Vegas 4-piece have gone on to become one of the biggest bands in the world selling 18 million albums along the way. Their British roots can be found not only in the influence of their music, but also in the fairly even split of album sales either side of the Atlantic (5m in the UK, 6m in the US).
After a self-imposed break, the band performed only on rare occasions and worked on solo projects rather than a 4th studio album. When members of a band announce that they are going to “do their own thing”, it tends to be the beginning of the end. However, true to their word, The Killers are back performing on these shores for the first time since the Royal Albert Hall shows featured in their 2009 Live DVD. I was at one of those shows and with no new material released since, I must confess I wasn’t entirely sure as to what they were going to do to keep their performance fresh. Would Brandon perform some solo work? Would we hear a cover? A new song?
I was expecting an intimate setting, but I was still taken aback at just how small the room was. I do not doubt that there were over 1000 people in there, but it looked a lot less. The band took to the stage to a rapturous reception, taking advantage of every square inch of the club. The intimate feel is only accentuated by the more casual attire being sported; not a feather in sight, not even a sailor jacket. Despite his best efforts, frontman Brandon Flowers was unable to contain his delight, breaking character by smiling as soon as he saw the crowd.
They kicked-off with ‘For Reasons Unknown’, followed by some glad tidings that drive home that London is the band’s spiritual home. “You’re looking well” he tells the crowd, “How are your parents?”
‘This is Your Life’ and a double of 'Hot Fuss' classics; ‘Somebody Told Me’ and ‘Smile Like You Mean It’. ‘Bones’ gives the front row the opportunity to feel Flower’s skin on their skin. Hey, it’s only natural. I’m pleased to hear them perform ‘Bling (Confessions of a King)’ which, up until the Royal Albert Hall gig, they had stopped performing. It’s a track that whilst not radio friendly, is a treat to hear live and really benefits from the production values of the Day & Age tour.
It strikes me at this point that we are 7 tracks in and Flowers is still trying to hide a grin in the same way a shy child being embarrassed by his parents would. As always this is in stark contrast to lead guitarist Dave Keuning and bass player Mark Stoermer who remain poker faced throughout. On drums Ronnie Vannucci is playing like he always does; like it’s his last show.
This all changes when the opening chords of ‘Shadowplay’ fill the room. ‘Shadowplay’ does what ‘Shadowplay’ always does, which is kill three quarters of the room. For me, the Joy Division cover has never sat well with any of the sets that The Killers have done. Whilst you could argue that the lyrics for ‘Jenny Was a Friend of Mine’ are far more sinister, ‘Shadowplay’ just feels like the black sheep of the family at a live gig.
The band rebound with the monster track that is ‘Human’, followed by a rare outing for the Lou Reed collaboration ‘Tranquilize’. The song does not translate well live at all, and I’d be surprised if it’s played again anytime soon. All is not lost as the cult favourite ‘Spaceman’ literally gets the floor bouncing. Here Flowers is as energetic as I’ve ever seen him and the crowd simply can’t get enough. A rousing rendition of ‘Dustland Fairytale’ follows which segued into the big shocker of the night. An acoustic version of ‘Moon River’ with just Keuning on guitar and Flowers on vocals. As the only straight man alive who enjoys The Killers AND Breakfast at Tiffany’s, this was a treat.
The roof nearly comes off Scala as Keuning plays the opening chords of the song that started it all, ‘Mr Brightside’. Despite having played the song several hundred times, the lyrics still resonate with Flowers and he puts his all into the performance.
After a short break the band return for their encore of ‘Change Your Mind’, an interesting choice since the track does not appear on the UK version of 'Hot Fuss'. ‘Jenny…’ gives the opportunity for Stoermer to have his solo moment before Flowers addresses the audience for the last time.
Chit-chat is not Flowers thing during concerts, his shy temperament belies his flamboyant stage presence during songs. He pays tribute to the guide that took them around the Jack the Ripper tour, once again thanks London because this is where it all began. “There isn’t a man in his twenties onstage anymore” he says, referencing his 30th birthday the previous day, which tickles Vannucci no end. “But you’re still here, so I guess we must be doing something right”.
They end as they always do with a tub-thumping rendition of ‘When You Were Young’.
As the crowd files out to the streets of London, mindful of the residents around them, the message is clear.
“Don’t leave it so long next time guys”.
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In more recent times it’s better known as a major nightclub venue where some of the biggest names in music have turned when they are in the mood for an intimate gig. Coldplay, Foo Fighters, The Chemical Brothers and Moby, to name but a few, have graced the stage at Scala to perform in front of a capacity crowd of just 1,145.
