SlickTiger reviews the Killers gig
Posted on 07. Dec, 2009 by slicktiger in Blog, Music, featured
South African audiences suck. We have absolutely no idea how to rock out and you can’t really blame us. Overseas there are hundreds of excellent bands playing every weekend and in cities like London they are totally spoilt for choice when it comes to concerts and artists.
Not so all the way down in darkest Africa. Down here we get international acts maybe three times a year if we’re lucky, which is bad because what ends up happening is everyone buys tickets to go see whichever band has decided to grace us with their presence not because they are die hard fans of that band, but just because a big international artist has actually come down here to play.
What ends up happening is you get masses of people paying ridiculous amounts of money to go and watch bands that they don’t know very well.
In the case of The Killers concert that happened in Joburg on Friday night, I’m willing to bet that the majority of the people who went to watch them knew four or five of their songs, mainly the ones that play on 5FM and that was about it.
They also have no clue how to chill out and enjoy the vibe of a big concert. We arrived about 40 mins before The Killers went on stage, which was just enough time to get some drinks and start missioning through the crowds to find a good spot.
Predictably as we got closer to the centre, the crowds became more and more dense until eventually we came to a dead stop in a group of people who started shitting us out in a really bitchy, horrible way for having the audacity to stand amongst them.
People, this is a fucking rock concert, you cannot reserve a place to stand, what the fuck?!
Eventually we managed to squeeze past the douchebags and find a place to stand and moments later the lights dimmed down, a low, long, grumbling note sounded over the massive speaker system and in an explosion of lights, The Killers launched into their first song, ‘Joyride’.
A bit of a weak song to start with some might argue, but it was a nice and gentle way to ease us all into things and I think it worked.
The exact tracklist they played after that is a little blurry in my mind, but I know ‘Bones’ was in there somewhere in the beginning and that they rocked out for the first three tracks and then played two totally obscure tracks after that and the energy in the crowd dropped instantly.
To the band’s credit, they played every classic Killers’ track they’ve ever written. ‘For Reasons Unknown’, ‘Spaceman’, ‘Somebody Told Me’, ‘Human’, and ‘Mr Brightside’ were all belted out passionately and executed with such precision, you’d swear you were listening to the CD…
But rest assured, this wasn’t Milli Vanilli we were watching, as perfectly as the band played, I picked up a couple of tiny slip-ups here and there – proof that it wasn’t just a backing track we were listening to.
What quickly became apparent watching them live though is that Brandon Flowers (the lead vocalist and frontman of the band) IS The Killers. Take that man out of the band and all you’ve got is a group of dudes who look like ageing session musicians, the kind of people you’d expect to see on stage playing U2 covers at The Rustic Theatre on a Sunday afternoon.
Mark my words, the next step for ol’ Flowers will be a solo career. He’ll drop the rest of the band, strike out on his own and make an album that, surprise, surprise, sounds exactly like The Killers.
You heard it here first 
There were a couple of little touches that I really liked. One of them was when they killed all the lights in The Dome and Flowers and the guitarist Dave Keuning stepped under a single spotlight and sang ‘Falling In Love With You’ (the Elvis track).
I also liked the bit when Flowers sat down at the end of ‘Spaceman’ and played the last chorous on the piano, just him on his lonesome. The man can sing, that’s for damn sure.
The only song I think they butchered completely was ‘Smile Like You Mean It’, which was really sad, because like I said in my previous post, that song means a lot to me. They opted for an acoustic guitar and piano instead of the electric and synthesized kind and played the song half a click slower than they do on the album.
The result is that it sounded more like a funeral dirge than The Killers’ track we’ve all come to know and love.
Other than that, it was a solid concert, and yes, I feel like I got my money’s worth. As for the rest of the crowd, who knows what they thought of it all. A lot of my friends who went to the concert were surprised by how unenergetic the crowd was, but as I mentioned above, this is fairly typical of South African audiences.
There were people standing next to us that didn’t so much as nod their heads for the entire concert. They just stood there and watched in a kind of silent, catatonic daze.
Nice one guys. No wonder international bands avoid us like the plague.
However, the real question here is has my faith in the band been restored? After watching them play live are they back in my top ten list? Well, the answer to that question would be ‘no’.
More than anything, I feel a sense of closure. I’ve bought all their albums, listened to nearly everything they’ve ever recorded and seen them play live.
I’m happy to say adios to The Killers. In five year’s time I’ll probably dig out some of my personal favourites again and play them on a lazy afternoon, but the danger of listening to any band too much is that their music loses it’s meaning for you and thanks to the masses of radio play this band has gotten, that’s exactly what’s happened to them.
They killed The Killers. Those music execs out there in dreamland, they killed The Killers.
Those bastards.
-ST
Read more from SlickTiger at http://www.slicktiger.wordpress.com
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I think this is a fairly poor review. i was at the concert, had a great time and was standing in a very lively group of fans. I dont really think you can say they played EVERY classic Killers track written as i felt there was a gaping hole which “Glamorous Indie Rock n Roll” would have nicely filled. The way they down-played the first half of “Smile like you mean it” was a masterstroke in my opinion and i think that’s your argument’s biggest weakness – everyone enjoys a concert in their own way. Your postulation as to why we dont see more international bands here is well off the mark. All in all an excellent concert and puts them right up there with Muse and Snow Patrol for me. Have a great day.
I completely agree with Jonathan, I was there on Friday, standing in a crowd of enthusiastic fans who were singing, jumping & screaming (and I even saw one chick crying during Dustland fairytale!!). I think they put on a really fantastic performance and as for your comments on Brandon Flowers being the Killers – so unfounded. He is the frontman, that is what frontmen do. Anyway, your opinion, my opinion. Maybe the reason that more international bands don’t come here is that it costs too much, and there are not enough willing sponsors? Another reason the tickets are so pricey?
Jonny-boy, I was deeply shocked and dismayed by your comment – you went to see Snow Patrol?
The horror…
…the horror…
Ha ha Slicko – Snow Patrol were actually putting out some sweet tunes loooong before you heard them on Grey’s Anatomy!
The horror??
You obviously don’t know as much as you think you do. Is ignorance bliss?
I had a great time at the concert and I felt quite proud of my fellow audience members. Perhaps you ended up in a bit of a bad spot. Where we were standing everyone knew all the lyrics to all the songs, thought I even saw Brandon smiling at one point because the audience was singing along so loudly he had to really belt it out to be heard above them. I love this band and my passion for them was rekindled by the concert, I left feeling happy and inspired like the fire in my heart had been lit. I don’t believe you’ll be living without them for too long, I see them very much in the same light as Depeche Mode. I believe they are a band that has the ability transform themselves to keep it interesting and up to date. Their sound is distinct but I trust it will not trap them into stagnating.. Anyway as I said I just love them. Yes Mr Flowers is beyond greatness but as a unit they are electric.
And your comment about snotty remarks from the audience, well you may actually have bumped into me. Sorry buddy personally I think its really bad style to push in near the front when I have been there for 2 hours, to ensure myself a good spot, and I do think if you where the person being pushed infront of and not the pusher you would also be slightly peeved off.
That’s it…
I agree…a very poor and arrogant review.
I have been to concerts all over SA and the world and seen tons of bands and, let me tell you, the Killers had the Dome ROCKING!!! On the way out of the arena I had numerous people marvelling at the show.
I find the reviewer to be hypocritical…they complain that SA audiences suck and don’t actually know the band but then the reviewer complains about ‘two obscure songs’, that they don’t like the altered ‘Smile Like you Mean It’ (it was great!) or the Joyride opening (which was brilliant, I thought, as the song has a real 80′s African pop feel to it and, as such, an apt opening).
And if the Killers were your favourite band don’t you think you’d be annoyed by a couple of part-time assholes pushing their way past you so that they could get arrogantly try and get a better view?
Flowers won’t go solo (his bandmates are equally brilliant) but it’s not an exclusive on your part either…the media have been speculating that Flowers will be on his ownsome since the band pretty much began.
And, no, radio hasn’t killed the Killers…their brilliance goes far beyond the songs that get airplay, but then again, you wouldn’t know that, would you?
Arrogant and uninformed…you’re about as slick as a stodgy porridge mate.
Hey, I’m not a ‘part-time asshole’ buddy, I’m a full time asshole.
But I like your passion. It’s refreshing to see that there are people out there who are willing to step up and defend the bands they love.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
-ST
Hey gang,
One thing that I would recommend is for you to read @slicktiger’s musings on http://www.slicktiger.wordpress.com – the one thing he certainly does know is music.
Sure, I don’t agree with him on *all* of his opinions, and I myself will call him a douche when necessary, but if you take a moment to read his reviews, you will realise how passionate he is about music and how much he respects the art.
The next time he pushes in front of you at a concert, be sure to punch him square in the FACE, he’ll thank you for it and buy you a beer
Slick, I wasn’t at the concert so I can’t speak with any authority on this weekend’s concert.
But reports I’ve heard were mixed – although it has to be said that most of them were positive a-la-”The Killers rocked!”
I read two things into this: either they really did rock, or South Africans are so starved for international bnads that ANY concert (however crap it may be) would be better than nothing and, by that definition, “rock”.
I respect your opinions on music and I’ll take this review as a fairly good indication of what went on this weekend.
Suffice to say The Killers lost me as a fan since that over-produced, pile of turd “Day & Age”.
At least you guys up in JHB didn’t sit in traffic for over 3 hours..Big Concerts is hated by many capetonians today.. concert was awesome.. some good points though slick , hated the version of smile like you mean it. Love your work . peace.
@slicktiger interesting review. I unfortunately completely understand the so called ‘douchebags’. I went to the Thursday concert, purely because I insist on GC, which was sold out for Friday by the time I joined the party. I was at the dome by 5 and managed to secure a security railing spot right infront of Flower’s mike stand. I secured a bloody good spot. Now I didnt shout at people or crap them out, but please dont come in after the opening act, try to squeeze in front of me, and then ask me what my problem is when i physically provide you with ‘not a chance in hell’. Point is, i put in the effort, and i was here first, not letting you past. Ever.
As for the crowd, i stood next to some irish folks, who according to you are supposed to be the right type for this kind of show, but they stood there mouths agape for the whole show, without moving an inch (not even when a 4ft girl crowd ask the 6’5″ irishman to please hunch or sway a little so they could see) as apposed to some local men who screamed louder than any girl, and rocked out enough that i had to physically protect myself…
As for the show, i agree, it was brilliant. There was not much showmanship, but the power of the songs and the lyrical performance made up for this. I really enjoyed the song and performance choices, it’s not a britney concert, so if the man wishes to perform and interpret his own song in a new way, good for him, i will respect the artist, and hopefully get something new from the song that i didn’t before.
For an 8 (what i managed to count) piece band, they played tight as hell, but the most disapointing part of the whole show was the guitarist. I do not know what friday was like ,but on thursday, he looked bored as hell. Sadly i caught him a couple of times flopping his wrist over the guitar, without actually making contact with the strings. Flowers actually shouted at him during the second song, but i dont think anyone noticed. He never jumped around, never smiled, nor did he even interact with the band. Luckily for him, i dont think the people paid him any attention, except for the ‘i cant help, falling in love with you bit’.
If more of that behavior shows up, and other people notice, the band will be in even greater trouble than you currently think they are in…
Aha! Now THAT’S what I call a constructive comment – thanks dissident, I appreciate the criticism because you (unlike others who have commented) realise that my opinions are purely subjective and haven’t reacted to my post like you just caught me finger-banging your cat.
You sir are a scholar and a gentleman.
-ST
Thanks!!!
SlickTiger has to be one of the most well-informed and precise articulate people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Sure, his points of view might not be agreeable to you and his gig-viewing methods might not be the most amicable (pushing to the front), but I don’t think you can discredit his estimation of the quality of South African audiences. In general, they are participative, but quite tepid in their enthusiasm. I wasn’t at the gig, but I would imagine when the hits did come on (Mr. Brightside), the crowd was probably singing the chorus like there was opium in the air. But every other song, probably acting like they should be enjoying it, or drunk enough that it didn’t matter who was on stage, they would have partied on at any cost… An expensive cost it seems. But, I think that is a reflection on the state of the live-music industry in South Africa. It is virtually non-existent. It’s not the fault of the audiences, but that of promoters, and record labels. I’m sure most artists would love to play in as many interesting places as often as possible.
I was there 2 on friday night and it was amazing. Given I was right infront directly in line with mr flowers so the energy was intense and constant. No doubt the best concert I’ve ever been to. Sounds like the slickTiger had a bad hair day and was expecting something else. You obviously don’t get the Killers, if you did, you wouldn’t write such crap. Maybe you should go and tour with them and see what’s its like. Your review was pathetic and dishonest. The Killers rocked!!
He is probably right in saying that the majority of the fans did not know more than 5 songs. Oh and SA audiences are really average. But the last few paragraphs are complete shit, review the concert don’t put so much of your personal opinion in (but hey thats my opinion). anyways decent review
What was the full set tho?
I write music reviews too and as soon as you diss a band in an honest enough fashion the fans unleash the fury.
I was at The Killers in CT and I’ve loved this band since I bought Sam’s Town (which in my opinion is their best work). It was such an average concert people…really. I attend SA artist gigs every other day and one thing lacking in The Killers concert was energy. I loved the music, love the songs, but that’s what CDs are for. At a live performance I wanted more.
I wanted more than, “The Killers rocked” – South Africans really need to explore their vocabulary a bit more – rocked and awesome are really so 90s. I wanted spectacular, amazing, mindblowing, fan-fcuking-tastic!
Alas, all I got was, rocked.
And yes, I was surrounded by people who knew at most 5 of the songs that played – don’t come to a concert if you’re there trying to look oh-so cool. Seriously, go flex your abs and show off your tan in Camps Bay you posers!
Marry me. Send me a link to some of your music reviews first, but then marry me.
Your comment rocked harder than The Killers ever could.
Gracias
-ST
Sounds to me like the two of you have some serious issues in dealing with exactly who it is that goes to concerts – take a little reality check: you pay your money, you get your ticket – doesn’t matter if you like posing, how many songs you know etc. Obviously the general public does not share your grossly over-advertised and self-proclaimed expertise on all things rock n roll but who gives a f***, they dont need to. It’s fairly clear to all that you go and stand in the middle of the biggest dickhead crowd at the concert JUST so that you may have something to write about in your reviews. And that sums up why this review is so arbitrary – are you there to review the bands performance or the people in the crowd you dont like? Your emo-ness is so boring.
@Jonathan, I have had the privilege of attending concerts both in SA and abroad and my observation is that SA audiences *do* suck. We suck the life and soul from performing artists.
I completely agree that it’s an individuals prerogative to appreciate an artist in his or her own way, but as a performer it is incredibly difficult to vibe if you’re not getting any return on investment for the blood, sweat and tears that you are dripping on stage – night after night.
I *know* the Dome (where slick watched the Killers) and I know its audiences – both are distinctly average!It’s a shite venue in terms of acoustics as it seems so hollow. It doesn’t inspire an audience to rock out with its cock out! I do also feel that the ‘judgemental joburger’ element results in many of us not going Nelly Retardo at concerts for fear of what ‘other people might think’
@slicktiger’s review is clearly not for you, but he has made a few valid points that resonate with several readers (based on the comments) and I hope you continue to read this blog and possibly start subscribing to slicktiger.wordpress.com .
The moahfugger will blow your mind and you will more than likely argue with a lot of his opinions. This is ideal for the Tiger, who definitely wants no sheep following his musings!
Laters
Valid points. The dome is a SHITE venue acoustically speaking.
I too have travelled around the globe and am still of the opinion that the Concert on friday night was great fun and that the crowd was not an unenthusiastic one. Our audiences are perhaps not as lively as the European set but surely on a timeline of musical evolution we are well behind them in terms of live concerts? I also think that the enthusiasm of SA audiences is directly proportional to the amount of top quality acts who actually make the trip out as well as the frequency of said trips. Would be awesome to see top live acts every other week!
Awesomeness! So its settled. The Dome was ideal for Night Shift and a bit of shower hour back in the day, but deffo a load of dogpoo when it comes to acoustics
Big Concerts, please take note – re the venue and continuing to bring kick ass international acts to our awesome country. Do it now, get on the phone and bring us the Chilis, but for the love of the sweet baby Jesus, do not book the Dome!
spot on.
I do think that the band gave their all. I’m not sure if its possible to engage more with a mediocre crowd. I think bands feed off the crowd participation which wasnt the best. I agree with you that the crowd knew on average just 5 songs. Few knew ‘Bling’ which was a gr8 pity – its just SUCH good song as is ‘ Dustland Fairytale’. I blame this of course on the radio stations but then again, the assumption is that if one goes to see a live preformance that one has at least bought or listened to the band’s CD. But as you say, if this is not the case then perhaps they should have just stayed in Camps Bay or wherever they came from – Rob.
What could be more of a compliment to The Killers than YOU ROCKED? Brandon Flowers is an anti drug highly religious man who doesn’t allow swear words to pollute his songs, saying to him you guys were spectacular, amazing, mind-blowing, fan-fcuking-tastic would not sit well with this highly evolved being and sounds like someone with too many words and a lack of a proper platform to release them from.
You should go and explore your own rock belief fundamentals and read up on The Killers and what they stand for. How much more energy do you want from a band? Maybe the Jonas brothers will give you want you want. So you didn’t buy Hot Fuss then and listen to it and love it? So a self proclaimed rock critic that reviewed a Band only from the middle of their career should maybe find a new day job.
I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest Killers fan but I had blast. I agree that there was a slight lull in the middle of the set and the band did not really connect with the audience as well as many other international acts I’ve seen.
We were pretty deep towards the front of the Golden Circle, and yet alongside me were two bored moron guys who stood and watched the whole show with their arms folded. Then they had the audacity to call one of the girls I was with “very rude” because she was jumping up and down and dancing. (and of course jostling those around her.) OMG! Dancing at a party!
Needless to say I intervened and asked them what the fuck they expected in the Golden Circle at a rock concert. The response: “I’m here with a group of twenty guys and we’ll sort you out.”
I think those empty threats made me have an even wilder time while they just stood there losing out on all the fun.
Dear Slick….hmmmmn I dont agree with your comment about the radio stations killing their music. Sure, 1 or 2 of their songs perhaps, but that’s it. It is a big problem with radio stations generally – there is no creativity and no freedom from the side of the djs to play what they want, certainly no modern dj would ever dare to experiment and play a different song off an album unless the music company allows them to. Its pathetic. I heard ‘A dustland Fairytale’ being played on radio stations across Europe. Havent heard it once being played here. When they played it, I went ballistic and ignored the wooden muted audience around me who obviously hadnt ever heard this brilliant song in their dull deprived lives. Despite their depravity, they were at a Rock Concert hello and could have at least pretended to be drunk or at least pretend to have a good time by getting into the music which the local radio stations disregard. Rob.
MAYBE you’re stupid or maybe you’re just a paper Victim.
at any rate.
i can’t sit here and not reply to your travesty of justice which you call a review so here’s my opinion on your opinion.
ok before anything else let me just like agree with you on one thing: south african radio stations are shite. they stick to Human and like a couple of other tracks. Lol alright anyway
it’s quite the generalisation to say that s.a. audiences suck. you’re alas mistaken in that regard. i was standing about 5 metres from dave keuning and the collection of people around me, ranging from some random oldish people to like 12 year old girls, Everrrrybody was rocking out and knew most of the songs. perhaps you were just amongst the ones who didnt know much about the killers but then again, you know what they say about birds of a feather.
it may be, as you so cutely declare, “a fucking rock concert” but that doesn’t mean you can just push people around to get to a better spot. if you actually perhaps maybeeee just gave a damn about the killers you would have arrived earlier to get a good spot?
then you say that they played “two totally obscure” tracks. slicktiger. “BLING” is not obscure but then again you don’t know much about the killers it appears, unless im mistaken, of course. but that doesn’t happen often. the second of the supposedly obscure tracks was Shadowplay – alright i guess this is somewhat off since it’s just a cover by the killers but anyway it’s a decent song, though far from the top of my list.
and actually they did leave out a few important tracks.. i.e. the rest of the murder trilogy and also glam indie rock n roll would’ve been good
THEY DID NOT BUTCHER ‘SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT’. the version they did was bloody brilliant with ray on violin..like better than the original. gosh.
and then just when i was hoping you were going to spare yourself the embarrassment of continuing, you went to that place. by ‘that place’, i mean. saying. that. brandon. makes. the killers. UR SO STUPID HONESTLY. HAVE YOU NOT HEARD OF “BLUSH RESPONSE”? let me enlighten you. it’s the band monsieur flowers was in pre- The Killers. and so judgin by what you said, one would think “blush response” sounds the same as “the killers”. but guesssssssss what sunshineeeee.. it doesntttttttt… hence. ur wrong. Lol
lol just an aside: “you heard it hear first”..? haha dude the rumour of brandon’s solo career has been goin around for at least a year. so like. dont steal somebody else’s opinion n try to pass it off as ur own Lol
dude lol if s.a. audiences are so shite, why was it that brandon had to raise his voice to be heard over the shouting fans? and like. why did he refer to the audience as having “such beautiful voices”. do you know what i think? i think your head was too far up your arse to notice much. that’s what i think.
oh oh. to end this, let me quote the song you say means a lot to you:
“Save some face.. you know you’ve only got one..”
GOODNIGHT. TRAVEL WELL.
:]
Ahh yousuf, that was a bad idea.
http://slicktiger.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/when-you-catch-a-tiger-by-the-tail-dont-fail/
HEY EVERYONE!
Just heard the news on Twitter that The Killers have broken up so that ‘ol Brandon can do what?! What?!? What?!?!
START A SOLO CAREER!
FUCK! I’m amazing. I SO predicted that shit! FUCK!
Umm… hello…?
Anyone care…
-ST