The live concert DVD has quickly become a must have staple in any bands back catalogue. It can highlight a bands showmanship and show their true talents as musicians, or can make you realise that a certain band is best suited in the studio filling their tracks with fancy electronic riffs and voice enhancers.
Thankfully, when it comes to The Killers Live at Royal Albert Hall, the former is relevant. For this live concert film captures the Las Vegas four piece at the top of their game, showcasing much of their impressive musical catalogue that they have built since the bands debut album Hot Fuss, a 2004 release.
Since Hot Fuss, The Killers have released a further 2 studio albums, Sam’s Town and Day & Age, along with rarity and B-Sides compilation album Sawdust. The 22 song set list covers all albums, with the crowd lapping up every single moment. Newer songs such as Spaceman and Human stand toe to toe with monster hits such as All These Things That I’ve Done and do not seem out of place in their company.
Not only do the crowd look like they are having a night to remember, but the same can also be said for the band members.
Band lead singer Brandon Flowers stalks the stage like an excitable puppy. Jumping on speakers, pianos and even joining the crowd in the seats next to the stage, it is obvious that this is what Flowers was born to do. Even in the face of his energetic moves, not once does his voice waver throughout the concert. The vocals are pitch perfect in the more tempo numbers such as When We Were Young, with Flowers showing no problem in switching down a tone or two for calmer tracks as a simply majestic acoustic version Sam’s Town.
Flowers band mates share the same enthusiasm as the frontman. Guitarist Dave Keuning playing is fast, furious and at times hypnotising to watch. His desire to roam the stages various props never once hampers his playing, with not a single bum note or chord struck throughout the 2 hour concert.
Drummer Ronnie Vannucci cements his place as one of rocks greatest drummers of recent years, with his powerful beats never found floundering.
Bassist Mark Stoermer is the less mobile of the band. The sum of his movements throughout the concert consists of pogoing on the spot in tandem with the crowd. However his musicianship can not be overlooked. His fast tempo bass lines act as the foundations in a concert that never lets up in tempo or excitement.
This excitement is seen running through the crowd. Not once do those in attendance appear to lose interest in what is happening on stage, with the Royal Albert Hall acting as a make shift bouncy castle throughout. It is pleasure to see the crowd having such a good time, unlike Arctic Monkeys Live At The Apollo, which seemed to ignore the fact that their was even an audience in attendance. The crowds love for the band shines through, and you often find yourself singing and tapping along with them.
The Killers Live at Royal Albert Hall is truly a special experience. The band is a joy to behold as they soar through the songs that have become a soundtrack to so many teenage lives. If you are a fan of live music, or even if you just have a pulse, this is an essential purchase.
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