run for cover – Kat Goes To Shows

(a) setlist

1. Mr. Brightside
2. Spaceman
3. The Way It Was
4. Smile Like You Mean It
5. Bling (Confession of a King)
6. Shadowplay (Joy Division cover)
7. Human
8. Run For Cover
9. Somebody Told Me
10. For Reasons Unknown
11. A Dustland Fairytale
12. Read My Mind
13. Runaways
14. All These Things That I’ve Done
15. When You Were Young

(b) highlights

ughhh, love the feeling of knowing The Killers can headline any and all festivals even when they don’t have a new album, total babes
some found this set too short but I thought it was the perfect length for a Sunday night when I had work the next day and it was a million degrees outside
I love when the band opens with “Mr. Brightside,” especially at a festival – if only because most people think everyone sees The Killers just to hear “Mr. Brightside.” But nope. Everyone stays and the band keeps playing on.
“Run For Cover” sounded even better than the night before, if that’s possible. Brandon seemed lighter and looser, and I was into it. We’ve got a singalong on our hands, folks
the crowd was freaking massive at the BB&T Center in Camden and everyone was so into it; over 30,000 people were there and we were right there in the 4th row center. incredible.

(c) lowlights

#KILLSHADOWPLAY2017, I’M NOT KIDDING
it was SO. GODDAMN. HOT. no. like, really. Brandon had to change his outfit halfway through the set – something I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do. Dave wiped his face with his towel between every single song, it was nuts. I’m almost positive the show ended early because it was so hot. I felt hot, tired, and old, so I wasn’t complaining.
#KillShadowplay2017

(d) overall thoughts

In case anyone thought differently, New Jersey in the middle of June is hot. Attending a concert in New Jersey in the middle of June is hot. But attending a concert in New Jersey in the middle of June with 30,000 people in an outdoor venue is definitely goddamn hot. But, obviously, no one was going to miss The Killers just because of that.

The night was hot, the lights were hot, the crowd was hot, body heat packing everyone in, the distant rumble of thousands of fans standing behind me, and then the band came out. The fact that a band like The Killers can legitimately open a festival set with “Mr. Brightside” like it’s no big deal will never not amaze me. Recently, a flurry of articles have popped up questioning how it’s possible that “Mr. Brightside” has remained in the UK music charts for over a decade since its release. How is it possible? I don’t know, maybe it’s an incredible song that everyone instantly knows the words to and connects with because it’s catchy as hell, timeless, and uh, oh The Killers are phenomenal songwriters, and why is this a question again?

Even if you’re not interested in The Killers, or find them overrated, or annoying, or overplayed, or overblown, or uninteresting, or…whatever — I don’t think it’s unfair to recognize the effect they’ve had on generations of music fans. They haven’t promoted a real studio album with new music and haven’t played this particular venue since 2013 yet everyone around me knew every song for the most part. How many other bands can say that? Honestly. Who?

Most songs felt like business as usual – having seen a set like this many times – but that’s not a bad thing. I still feel like every time I’ve seen the band, they’ve grown as performers. Dave has been coming out of his shell again the last couple of years after an odd period of retreating behind his mane of hair, and genuinely looks happy to be performing again. Ronnie is P u l l i n g O f f those white pants and Brandon’s voice and energy feels stronger than its ever been. We miss you so much, Mark. “Run For Cover” sounded even better hearing it the second time live and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear it. The boys are cooking something special and I’m ready for a taste.

Bottom line: After seeing this show and hearing a taste of The Killers new music, I really feel like the band is on the precipice of something great. Over a decade of success, the delight of millions, and integrity in performance proves that all signs lead to a pot of gold for the guys from Las Vegas. Something special is on the horizon and I feel so lucky to be witnessing it.

(a) setlist

1. Human
2. Spaceman
3. The Way It Was
4. Smile Like You Mean It
5. All The Songs Have Been Written/One More Song (unclear title)
6. Bling (Confession of a King)
7. Shadowplay (Joy Division cover)
8. Run For Cover
9. Somebody Told Me
10. Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll
11. For Reasons Unknown
12. My List
13. A Dustland Fairytale
14. Read My Mind
15. Runaways
16. All These Things That I’ve Done

Encore:

Shot at the Night
When You Were Young
Mr. Brightside

(b) highlights

NEW. MUSIC. FIN.A.LLY.
but seriously. aside from the brilliant “Shot at the Night” in 2013, we’ve gone 5 goddamn years without new music from these dudes, and I have no idea how I survived that long. this new music was so needed.
including “My List” in here was so sweet and heartfelt and made me so happy that the band is giving it another shot after the Sam’s Town shows; my recent wish is for it to replace “Smile Like You Mean It” in the setlist (don’t hurt me, SLYMI apologists)
I’ve heard “A Dustland Fairytale” live dozens of times, but it never hit me harder than at this show – I was in tears before the chorus even hit. so beautiful.
I can def jam with “Run For Cover” and the little piano ballad; I can’t wait to hear those at their most complete and feel so lucky to have seen them in Atlantic City
this show in particular felt like being at home with my friends; everyone around us were the best fans, the best people, and constantly bring so much joy into my life; I felt so terribly lucky to have been there with them, watching this band, hearing those songs, and living that night

(c) lowlights

#KillShadowplay2017
#KillShadowplay2017
#KillShadowplay2017

(d) overall thoughts

Some shows are really light and fun, and other ones hit you harder than you anticipate. Somehow, this show at the Borgata – literally the 4th time in 5 years The Killers have played this venue in the summer – ended up being a combination of the two. A pre-summer getaway to New Jersey after a predictably-delayed bus ride dropped us in a familiar casino only half-prepared for the unforgettable night.

Going to see The Killers at this point isn’t strictly about seeing the band these days. At some point during the Battle Born tour, traveling to shows turned into an event to see old friends, catchup with new ones, and chat about what was to come. But now, the familiarity runs so much deeper. Another trip to New Jersey means traveling home to see family. The faces of people you love so dearly, the faces of people you hate even more, and – on top of that – an unforgettable show by the boys.

The security guards remember you, the smell of the metal barricade brings back memories, you don’t need to reference signs in the casino to find your way back to the room even though casinos are strictly designed to confuse you, and everything feels just the same if not slightly changed. And that description fits the band perfectly. Brandon is still spry and in a dumb vaguely tropical-themed, sharp suit, though turning gray at the edges. Dave’s hair is curlier and he’s looking slightly older but in a refined way. Ronnie’s still got that cut-off metal-inspired tee on his tall frame and Mark is still gone. And everyone’s there, almost everyone you know and remember, and they feel those feelings too. We’re all home.

Kicking things off with “Human” and “Spaceman” instantly put me in a fun mood to dance, be happy, and have a great time with my friends. We were tucked in and surrounded by the best people and echoed all our “darlin’s” perfectly. The new piano ballad that may or may not be called “One More Song” or “All The Songs Have Been Written” turns out to be a sweet gem and “Bling” never stops being the song that resonates with me most. I audibly boo and fake vomit at Shadowplay (Brandon, please let Ian Curtis have a peaceful rest and let these laser beams lie next to him), but that’s to be expected.

When “Run For Cover” starts, I almost leave my body and realize that everything that’s happening is going to feel so portentous and meaningful one day, so I should simply bask in it as each moment passes. For the record, the song isn’t single material, but I feel lyrical resonance of “This River Is Wild” and Brandon’s “Diggin’ Up The Heart,” so can’t wait to hear that one on the album. “My List” is an unexpected sweet surprise that allowed for a much-needed stomp-clap combo.

Then, when “Dustland” started, something strange happened. Along with pretty much everyone in the crowd around me, I’ve seen that song live dozens of times. It’s always beautiful and meaningful and certainly a “moment” during the show. But for some reason, after hearing it for probably the thousandth time, I completely broke down before Brandon got to the chorus. I watched him sing along, watched Dave turn his face into the light, and watched Ronnie beat the skins in the shadows, and I lost it.

Isn’t it unbelievable to think that because of one band, a group of four guys, dozens of songs, and nothing but pure chance, my life managed to intersect with all these incredible people over a decade in such a way that we all stood in some event center in some casino in New Jersey right then and there? I met one of my best friends in the world on the sidewalk waiting to hear the premiere of “When You Were Young” 11 years ago. I met another one of my best friends on a message board when Sam’s Town was released. I’ve met people in California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Arizona, Nevada, Delaware, Connecticut, even Canada because of this band. And that doesn’t even include all the people who’ve come from elsewhere to meet me. San Diego, Chicago, Boston, Virginia, Seattle, London, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Texas, Utah, Las Vegas. And some of these people will remain in my life for as long as I live, all because of The Killers. It’s unbelievable. I love this band so much and I’ll never be able to repay them for the life they incidentally gave to me. Thank you to every Victim that’s been a part of it.

Bottom line: I’ve seen The Killers live a lot – probably too many times – but I never take it for granted. Every show is special because it’s like coming home. We all get lost in the music and the lights and the familiar hand gestures and drum beats and guitar licks and bass lines. It’s not an overstatement to say that The Killers truly gave me the life I have – I would be nothing without the friends that stand by my side and we’d all be nothing without the four guys from Las Vegas that brought us together. Cheers, Victims. I love you.