The Killers Thrill In Manchester

“Manchester, Manchester!” shouted Brandon Flowers as The Killers lead singer ran onto the stage at Co-op Live, saluting the sold-out audience on the second night of a four-night residency at what is the biggest indoor arena in the country.

With a spectacular laser show, the Las Vegas band added a touch of glamour and glitz to the proceedings, making the opening number, My Own Soul's Warning, feel like it was the end of the night as the confetti cannons showered the audience.

The Killers are the type of band that can easily headline a festival appealing to a diverse audience, as they did in Leeds last year, or alternatively perform sell-out gigs for their own fans in arenas and stadiums.

Flowers was the consummate frontman, knowledgeable about how to work the stage. For every gesture to put your hands in the air, there was always a delightful song to clap along to.

“Out there, it might be Wednesday night in Manchester; in here, it is Saturday night,” he proclaimed to a huge cheer from the fans.

Initially, it appeared that the band had played an ace card too early, as they showcased several of their most popular tracks, including Human, Somebody Told Me, and Smile Like You Mean It, within the first thirty minutes of their stage appearance. These are probably the tracks with which the group is associated.

During an inclusive gig, Ronnie Vannucci Jr. temporarily vacated his drum stool to allow a young fan, Ben, from the front row, to perform For Reasons Unknown. It was a spontaneous moment that made the night feel more personal.

Swapping his sparkly black jacket for a white dinner jacket, Flowers returned with the rest of the band for the encore, which naturally included the indie classic Mr Brightside, which brought this epic and entertaining gig to a euphoric conclusion, though there was still one track to follow: Exitlude, as the words “Thanks a lot” appeared on the front of Flowers piano. The atmosphere was electric, and The Killers were still on a winning streak.

There are still two more nights to catch the show as The Killers return to Co-op Live in Manchester on Friday, June 21st, and Saturday, June 22nd.