T-mobile best of Killers’ performances

THE years continue to unfurl in Killers’ history. The band has passed, has arrived on or is approaching its 20th anniversary, depending on when you mark its start. But Brandon Flowers, he seems not to age. He performed with the pep of a teenager on Friday night at T-mobile Arena.

The first time I caught the band was in the mid-2000s. I think its most recent performance was its best.i’ve pocketed a list of favorite Killers shows over the past two decades, updating as events merit. Let’s rock it once more, best of the best from the Killers or members of the band:

House of Blues, September 2004: Just after the release of their debut album “Hot Fuss,” the Killers sold out the music hall at Mandalay Bay. “Somebody Told Me” was, at the time, the fan favorite. I started in the night in the upper VIP level and ended it on the floor, near the stage, jammed up with a lot of fans who were also at the show Friday night.

Empire Ballroom, October 2005: Just Ronnie Vannucci that night, but he joined fellow rock drummer Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses in backing Pink on Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” to open the theater that would eventually be renamed (and close as) Mosaic on the Strip. Camp Freddy, Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols also performed. I think Macy Gray showed up, near sunrise, too. That was a party, folks.

Life is Beautiful. October 2013: The perfect band to launch the downtown music festival. They unleashed “Viva Las Vegas” midway through the set, as the crowd’s singalong echoed off the Fremont Street hotels.

Shimmer Cabaret, Las Vegas Hilton, August 2010: Flowers’ first-ever solo performance, promoting his first solo album, “Flamingo,” easily filled the 450-seat venue (today known as Westgate Cabaret at Westgate Las Vegas).

Zappos Theater “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” April 2019:

Kimmel welcomed the band during his week of shows from Planet Hollywood. We learned that just after high school, Flowers was a food runner and a host at Josef ’s Restaurant at then-aladdin’s Desert Passage. The place was operated by famed chef Joseph Keller. The first time “Mr. Brightside” was played publicly was Flowers’ demo for the staff at Josef ’s. The song was well-received.

Celebrity nightclub, August 2006: This show at the longago closed club on Third and Ogden was for winners of a Myspace ticket giveaway. I remember walking in with thenpalms owner George Maloof and slipping to near the front of the stage.

Vegas Strong Benefit Concert, December 2017: “Mr. Brightside” was the roaring, penultimate song at a soldout T-mobile Arena. The band closed the nine-song set with another take of “Viva Las Vegas.” An all-star only-in-vegas cast that included Imagine Dragons, Wayne Newton, Penn & Teller, Blue Man Group, Carrot Top and David Copperfield took part.

Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan April 2022: Uniquely memorable for the bounce of the club’s spring-activated floor, activated by jumping fans.

T-mobile Arena, Saturday night: “Brightside” always closes. But how about “The Man,” video recorded at the Plaza? Strong effort, with the statue of David in the background. And “Somebody Told Me” had the place moving, the crowd’s arms swaying in a tsunami of happiness.

As I walked out, someone shouted a question: Why aren’t the Killers in residency in Vegas? Maybe one day. But they are still serving as the city’s ambassadors around the world and in their hometown.

In a silver state

Flowers clutched his necklace, kissed it and showed it to the crowd as “Brightside” ended the show. He said Saturday the piece is in the shape of the state of Nevada.

“I never take it off.”

Line!

Vannucci shouted, “I have the best job in the world!” while standing at the edge of the stage. The last words of the night. Hard to argue.

Rock her up

Sally Steele, known over the years as founder of Vegas Rocks magazine, was herself a rock artist in the mid-to-late 1980s. Her music from those days is finally being released under the title “Alone In Love — 1988-89.” The album is available on all major streaming services.

Steele was often cast in videos by Loverboy, Eric Carmen and Bruce Willis. She and her wild, hair-metal band (and wild-hair metal band) played such L.A. haunts as The Coconut Teaszer, Station Hollywood, Madame Wong’s and The Whisky. Steele got off the stage in the early 1990s, but the material remains. We are convinced when she says, “One thing that has never changed is, I still live and breathe rock n’ roll, 24 hours a day.”

A pre-k Courtney

I’d not met Courtney Humm, daughter of Las Vegas and Raiders legend David Humm, until Friday’s unveiling of the David Humm Broadcast Booth at Allegiant Stadium. Her intro: “I’m Courtney. Pre-kardashian.” She is an original.

Cool Hang Alert

We return to The Songwriters Showcase at Soulbelly BBQ from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Hal Savar hosts. He unveiled his original, “Melt Away,” at the most recent Showcase last Sunday. This is a Cool Hang at a cool location, 1327 Main St. in the Arts District. No cover for the music; dinner is served for a stipend.

@robloud The Killers played T-mobile Arena on Friday, performing almost two years to the day they were scheduled to play Las Vegas in support of their sixth album before the pandemic shelved their touring plans.