The Killers @ Madison Square Garden
The Killers | Madison Square Garden | January 25, 2009
To the frustration of our nation’s English teachers (and more than a few rock critics), last night The Killers once again proved that a working knowledge of proper grammar is by no means a prerequisite to headlining one of the most prestigious concert venues in the world. In addition to all the hubbub about Killers frontman Brandon Flowers queries concerning whether we are human or dancer, last night Flowers demanded the audience go both “higher and higher” and “down to the wire” in the very same song, and also claimed that the Nile used to run “East to West.”
But if the ability to write coherent, grammatically and factually correct lyrics was required to headline MSG, then obviously Iron Maiden and dozens of other metal bands would never have had a chance either. No, The Killers won their headlining status due to their devotion to dance-floor ready rhythms and Flowers’ go-for-the-back-row choruses. And though there were a few missteps in their performance last night (we know the group has a serious ’80s jones, but were the saxophones really necessary?), the group knows their strengths and isn’t shy about giving the audience what they want. The set mainly focused on their new album, Day & Age and their debut Hot Fuss, and the rapid fire beats, waves of synths and decadent light show helped the cavernous Garden feel like a late-night dance club. And though Flowers’ approach to the English language might be unorthodox, credit where credit is due: an arena full of people chanting “I’ve got soul/but I’m not a soldier” is a feat many more grammatically sound lyricists could probably never pull off.
-Michael Tedder
Photos by Torey Mundkowsky
