Written by Craig McGreggor and photo from Rylan Keturi
Pop-up Killers‘ concert on a rooftop in downtown Austin? Three hours later, another spontaneous set announced via Twitter?
When in Texas, go BIG. @continentalATX 250cap. $20 a head, doors at midnight, 21+.
— The Killers (@thekillers) October 13, 2017
The Brandon Flowers-led rock outfit The Killers, scheduled a cush and intimate performance in the iconic Austin venue, The Continental Club. Sounds like SXSW is here, but not quite yet. We are still in October and somewhere, somebody told me they let a little bit of fall temperatures blow-in on this cool Thursday evening. We are actually still in the meat or avocado of the dual Austin City Limits Festival Weekends sandwich that has The Killers headlining both weekends. The announcement came at 10:30 PM and lines were already around the block by 11:00. Tensions were high with fans running from all directions, out of all outlets, ride-sharing however possible, and defending their turf in line. Boos could be heard as cutters were shamed from their attempts to bypass the lines, and even some attempts to haggle via a $900 Venmo exchange for a frontsie-backsies. The final overheard terms were to pay for the cover of 2 out-of-towners and purchase their drinks. Alas, after a few minutes into the start of Friday morning, the crowds moved-in, let out a sigh of relief, ordered a few double tequilas and The Killers were off and running. The set was shorter than a typical show but very sweet. The Killers started the night with recent hit single off their recently dropped album Wonderful Wonderful “The Man,” hitting some debut album jams “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine,””Change Your Mind,” rarely performed Hot Fuss deep-cut “Andy, Your’re a Star,” and follow-up album hits “Human,” “When You Were Young.” The music was Continental Club typical, crisp and clear, and Brandon’s voice soared through the building. On the other hand, it wasn’t the Killers that were deafening but rather every vocal cord in the room singing each and every lyric verbatim. It was pure joy, chemistry, cohesion, and chaos all in synergy that at times took the band by surprise as their lead singer grasped fans hands and jumped around the smaller-than-used-to stage in the cozy bar room of the Continental. Tears were shed at this once in a life time chance to be this close and personal to a band that has nestled in the hearts of fans since mid-2000. The night finally came to a close with a song that still lingers in the UK Charts well after turning 10 years old, “Mr Brightside,” but not before a well-paid tribute to the late Tom Petty with a rendition of “American Girl.” If you missed this, there is still a chance to make it to Zilker this Sunday when the group performs their final show in Austin (as far as we know) closing the ACL Fest Sunday opposite the Damon Albarn-led “just about everything” band Gorillaz. Until next Twitter announcement.
Setlist:
The Man
Enterlude
When You Were Young
Somebody Told Me
Change Your Mind
Smile Like You Mean It
Human
Run for Cover
Andy, You’re a Star
Read My Mind
Runaways
All These Things That I’ve Done
American Girl (Tom Petty Tribute)
Mr. Brightside