More about: Brandon Flowers
The Killers frontman showcases new material and alternative classics
"It's nice to get those jitters out of the way", Brandon Flowers tells the crowd at New York City’s Webster Hall, two songs into his set.
Considering that his band have been dominating the charts for more than a decade and playing to sold out venues across the globe, you would think that jitters would be the last thing on his mind. But between kicking off a brand new tour and showcasing new material, it's understandable why even someone like Brandon Flowers might get the odd butterfly.
Despite his apparent nerves, what's clear is that it's nearly impossible not to notice that Flowers never stops smiling. He even reportedly treated some fans to a private, impromptu rendition of new track ‘The Way It’s Always Been’ ahead of the show, as a thank you to his fans who spent the day outside in the cold, waiting to see him.
Perhaps that’s why his energy is so infectious, and why the entire 1,500-capacity venue saw, what is likely to be, one of its most energetic crowds to date. The balcony even felt like it was ready to cave due to excessive jumping by the time closer ‘Mr. Brightside’ started playing.
The concert was predominantly filled with tracks off of Flowers’ 2010 debut solo album Flamingo, mixed with a handful of Killers tunes and a Robert Palmer cover. But it’s clear that Flowers fully embraces the idea of going in a completely new direction with The Desired Effect, as he introduced the new tracks by also introducing his band, saying: "We actually have some new blood on the stage…and with the new blood comes new songs.”
Listen: Brandon Flowers' 'Can't Deny My Love':
Only three new The Desired Effect songs made the setlist cut, one being the first official single ‘Can’t Deny My Love’ – which is said to feature Danielle Haim, and which conveniently also sounds a great deal like an insanely catchy Haim-esque pop hit, the others being 'Dreams Come True' and ‘Digging Up The Heart’, a drum-heavy narrative about a guy named Tony who, as Flowers described at his recent Las Vegas show “was born into circumstances that are not allowing them to sort of break out, and they want to, and they’re trying, and this guy wants to be better. His name’s Tony…I’m pulling for Tony.”
Watch: Brandon Flowers performing 'Digging Up The Heart' in NYC:
While it would have been great to have heard more material off of the new record, if these three songs are anything to go by, then The Desired Effect will certainly live up to the hype of being one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2015.
Brandon Flowers played:
The Way It’s Always Been*
Dreams Come True
Crossfire
Magdalena
Hard Enough
Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts
Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
Read My Mind
Human
Simply Irresistible (Robert Palmer cover)
Swallow It
Digging Up The Heart
Can’t Deny My Love
Right Behind You
Only The Young
Mr. Brightside
*pre-show performance
Brandon Flowers' UK tour dates are as follows, with tickets going on sale from 9am on Friday 27 March. See below for tickets and information
MAY
21 London, Brixton Academy
24 Manchester, Academy
25 Edinburgh, Usher Hall
26 Leeds, O2 Academy
28 Birmingham, O2 Academy
More about: Brandon Flowers
Photo: Torey Mundkowsky
