The Killers Redeem Themselves at Los Angeles Staples Center

Written By: Madeline Rosene

Photography By: Rob Loud

“We’re going to try our hardest up here tonight to pull this off,” said Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers. Although, he has spoken very humbly of the band recently, remarking that instead of hits, he writes “A lot of 6’s and 7’s,” The Staples Center show in Los Angeles is sold-out and their fans know every lyric. The band opened with their bass and kick drum-heavy title track, “Wonderful Wonderful” on a smoky stage. Brandon Flowers made his way down the stairs on the stage, pointing to the crowd. The stage is decorated with large light-up gender symbols and a water tower.
It’s been 11 years since the band played this venue during their tour for Sam’s Town. “We had an off night that night,” Brandon explained. “We’ve been carrying that weight around for a long time and it’s been difficult.”

“We love you!” someone burst out.

“We have every intention of lighting this mother fucker up!” exclaimed Brandon.

The visuals do not disappoint. Projections of water, the Tyson vs. Douglas fight, and clips from the music video for “Run For Cover.” Pink confetti blasted into the crowd just before the band played “Spaceman.”

“It looks like a unicorn shit all over the stage!” Brandon said.
Brandon is all smiles and a true crowd pleaser. He has intention in every movement on stage and every word he sings. Running between the keyboard and center stage, putting on a bass guitar and taking it off, he somehow manages not to sweat at all. Are you human, Brandon, or are you dancer?

Photo by Rob Loud

With 23 songs in a two hour span, the audience was treated to one new song, written on the road, just for the band’s Los Angeles fans. “We might play it tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes,” Brandon said.

“If your life is up the proverbial tree or you just need a dose of Vitamin D. There’s a place out there where gardens grown and dreams are open wide. Just climb on in, it’s not too late. I’ll point this hood towards the Golden State. Baby have you seen LA? Where The Lakers and the starlets plays. Rock and Roll and Sunset Boulevard make you feel alive… Have you ever been to Hollywood? It could do us both a lot of good.”

No one seemed to mind being the guinea pigs for this musical experiment.

Tonight Brandon is full of wisdom. “There’s a quote that I love,” he said. “There’s nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self.” Quoting Hemingway before launching into “I Can’t Stay,” a song commonly interpreted to be about Brandon’s feelings regarding leaving his wife and children while he pursues his career.
Ending the first set with, “All These Things That I’ve Done,” Brandon’s black suit and open-necked white dress shirt look as crisp as they did when he first got on stage. However, for the encore, Brandon re-appeared dressed as Elvis in a dazzling gold and rhinestone get up. The Killers closed out the night with four more tunes, including “Andy, You’re A Star,” and then, with the band’s biggest hits, “When You Were Young” and “Mr. Brightside.”