What a difference a year can make!

This is especially true in the music biz. Austin is the Capital of Live Music, full of small local bands and showcases for indie bands like SXSW and ACL Festival. Unfortunately, the big name bands still garner more attention. Last September at ACL Fest, the Killers were known only to people who really paid attention to upcoming artists and were given the unfortunate time slot of Friday at 1:30. I seemed to be the only person I knew who wanted to see them ---I could not get a friend to come see them with me because no one cared enough to go that early in the day.

Fast forward to the next August, more specifically last night the 18th. The Killers were headlining at Stubbs and their tickets sold out back in June after just a few days on sale. I had to buy my ticket at 3am as soon as I heard to guarantee I got one. I think now that they should have played the Erwin Center so more of my friends could have come too.

The show was KILLER! (couldn’t resist the pun). I can’t remember the last concert I went to that had such a truly eager and excited vibe to it. As soon as the opening act, Louis XIV, unplugged, the crowd started to push towards the stage and it was like “move up or die”. These people were out for themselves to get the best vantage point of the charismatic front man, Brandon Flowers. Then as the roadies were setting up the gear, the crowd started chanting the band’s name. So you can imagine what the reaction was like when the band members finally came out. I was so thankful to have some ear plugs at that moment. But everyone’s sweaty anticipation was well-rewarded with such an amazing show. If you knew the words, you would be singing along and dancing…you just would not be able to resist. Like the lady next to me who was enjoying her first night out from her newborn baby….I think she was the most out of control of everyone! And how to I always manage to get stuck next to the almost-middle-aged-overly-PDA couple who dance alot with no rhythm?? I wonder this at every show.

Unfortunately, having only their debut album for a catalog, the show felt way too short. They hit all their singles like “Mr. Brightside” and other album favorites like “Andy you’re a Star.” After seeing their performance at Live 8, I knew my favorite song, “All These Things I’ve done” would be the final one of the encore. It was a little difficult to hear Brandon singing over the crowd so I finally took out my earplugs to enjoy.

I'm so happy for the Killers....looks like 2005 is a much better year for them. Well done.