The Killers, live from Las Vegas
austin360.com

From the stadium seating of the Erwin Center to the popcorn and peanuts to the vendors walking through the aisles calling out "cotton candy," the Killers show on Friday felt more like a major sporting event than an indie rock show. Or maybe an elaborate theatrical performance.

Eyes were fixed to a white shroud over the stage as four brave souls climbed rope ladders in front of the curtain to spotlight turrets high in the rafters. There was either about to be an impressive display of acrobatics or an astonishing stage show. Blinding lights pulsed, gold and silver confetti flickered in the air and plastic roses on vines adorned the amps and pianos. The Killers burst forth with lofty guitars, enlivening organs and soaring choruses sure to rattle around in your head for days. They had the sold-out crowd dancing like it was Depeche Mode in '91.

The Grammy-nominated alt-rockers were channeling their hometown, Las Vegas, throughout. During "Read My Mind"" from their latest platinum album, "Sam's Town," singer Brandon Flowers hopped across the monitors, singing into the crowd with all the personality and panache of a lounge singer. During "Smile Like You Mean It,"" strings of bulbs straight off the Vegas strip illuminated Flowers as he stood at his decadent keyboard podium, which looked like a sacrificial altar. But you don't see many sacrificial altars with disco balls in them.

Openers Howling Bells were less about production and more about ominous country-tinged indie rock featuring female vocals as strong at a whisper as when they cried outward to the heavens. The eerie guitars howled, and she was like a siren in a western epic.— Will Mills

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