Music

The Killers in London

If you're short of time and can only handle a one-word review of the Killers' Camden rock 'n' roll extravaganza, then here it is: "ohmygod"

No, there were no pyrotechnics, trapeze artists or stadium-sized stylings — simply a huge presence and intoxicating energy emanating from the four guys on the small, slightly grungy, velvet curtain-edged stage of north London's Electric Ballroom.

Not to mention the palpable excitement rising in the audience — summoned by last-minute text to this exclusive gig in a venue half the size of those on the band's imminent tour.

The Killers exclusive footage

Check out exclusive video from the Killers' Vodafone TBA gig at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, London.

View Killers footage

If you're accustomed to the Las Vegas four-piece's sharp-suited, slickly synthesized incarnation on the five-million-selling album, Hot Fuss, then get ready for an image change. The band haven't been shy about the influences infusing their eagerly anticipated second album, Sam's Town.

Where their tightly bound debut conjured images of a Millennial New Order posturing about with David Bowie in 1950s film noir, the looser-limbed follow-up pays tribute to America's wide open roads and big skies, to Bruce Springsteen circa Born to Run and The Doors. And accordingly there's a lot more hair going on for starters.

Guitarist Dave Keuning has mutated into (a more handsome) Noddy Holder, bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannuci are shaggily belocked in faded jeans, while our frontman Brandon Flowers has a typically unique take on the new look: a striking moustache, and an outfit that would work for a cowboy at a cabaret. Quite a turnaround – how on earth will they fuse the past and the present together?

There's no time to ponder as we're straight in with the rock n roll rawk of the new album's title track. Astonishingly, Brandon's vocals are almost unrecognizable — his voice sounds like it's been let out of a shiny white box and beaten with twigs as it bounces like tumbleweed atop big, thick synth chords.

"Awesome. Best gig I've ever been to. We were in the second row. We couldn't get tickets to their other gigs and it was fantastic to get the text on Friday."
Carl, South Wales

"It's brilliant when a crowd's like that – a lot of people dancing and a lot of people jumping."
Mandy, Slough

"I've not seen them before and they were absolutely brilliant. To get free tickets to something like that is just fantastic."
Cameron, Ayrshire

Next up is new single, When You Were Young, and the whole venue is suddenly a sea of heads bobbing to its glam-rock choruses, while Brandon stalks the stage like a demented compere in a David Lynch film.

We're whizzed exhilaratingly through familiar oldies Somebody Told Me (beefed up with juddering feedback that sounds like a chopper hovering overhead), Smile Like You Mean It, with funereal keyboards clashing joyously with a frenzy of red lights, big hair and sequins, and Jenny Was a Friend of Mine.

During the latter, the audience is rendered almost apoplectic (and Brandon clutches his keyboard and rocks, with the look of a crazed despot watching his empire implode in flames and chaos in the distance), and it's the moment the old and the new sounds hold hands.

As if to cement that thought, the usually bouncy Mr Brightside tonight exudes almost sinister overtones as the darkness of the lyrics wash over us. By the time we reach My List you can almost see the mist rising behind imaginary tombstones on stage.

Of three other newies aired tonight— Bones, Bling (Confessions of a King) and Read My Mind, it's the last song that's most instantly memorable with its beautiful melodic riff and soft, heartfelt vocals.

But – at least until everyone's got their hands on Sam's Town – it's the familiar that wins us over. Finally – as the three-song encore reaches its finale — we get what we've all been waiting for and several minutes of foot stomping and chants of "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" pay off for a huge rendition of All These Things That I've Done.

Here's to letting the Killers seduce us with all the new things they've done as much as they did with the old. Brace yourselves.