The year was 2004. I was nine years old, sitting in the car with my dad outside a JB Hi-Fi store. My dad, a self-proclaimed devotee of new wave and post-punk, had just purchased the Killers’ debut album, Hot Fuss, after reading a review that compared the band to New Order. (It was no coincidence: the Killers were named after a fictional band featured in a New Order music video.)
He popped the CD in, and “Jenny Was a friend of Mine” began to play. With its surging synths, a bassline that could rival Peter Hook’s, and Brandon Flowers’ brooding vocals, we both knew we were listening to something special.Little did I know that 20 years later,that album would still be a staple in my own car,and I’d be about to see the band live for the tenth time.
After that first track, a string of hits followed: “mr Brightside,” “Smile Like You Mean It,” “Somebody Told Me,” and “All These Things That I’ve Done.” My musical education had begun. Every car trip became a journey through the sounds that inspired the Killers. Dad introduced me to bands like New Order, the Cure, the Smiths, Depeche Mode, and the Pet Shop Boys. We also explored the burgeoning indie rock scene, discovering bands like Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, and the Strokes. (I know this is now considered “dad music,” but I swear it wasn’t at the time!) Music became our shared passion.
my first Killers concert was at a festival in 2009. By then, I was 14 and hopelessly boy-crazy, even though I’d never actually spoken to one. To be honest, it wasn’t so much boys as it was Brandon Flowers: my bedroom walls were plastered with his photos, my teachers knew his name, and my friends were subjected to endless Killers playlists.
“I have been forced to speak up. Society needs to act to rein in ridiculous movie runtimes,” wrote Rebecca Shaw in a recent Guardian article.
“dad music” as defined by this tweet
You can read more about Brandon Flowers’ musical journey and his Mormon upbringing in this Guardian article.
For many music fans, seeing their favorite band live for the first time is a defining moment. For Australian journalist Benita kolovos, that moment came courtesy of The Killers, a band whose music has been a constant presence in her life.
kolovos’s obsession began at a young age. Despite the Good Vibrations Festival being restricted to those 18 and older, she and her father managed to sneak in. “I dressed how I thought an adult would: Doc Martens, a skull scarf and black eyeliner,” she recalls. “I was convinced I looked like Alexa Chung.As they scanned our tickets, I kept my head down and we made it through. I’ve seen many bands since but none compare with the show the Killers put on that day. I was hooked.”
Her dedication to seeing the band live continued. For her 15th birthday,Kolovos’s parents planned a trip to Sydney to see The Killers at the Enmore Theatre. The band was headlining Good Vibrations, but this was the only under-18 show on their schedule. “We were driving to the airport when we found out the show had been cancelled due to a family illness,” she remembers. “My plans for the weekend – mostly involving staking out the Intercontinental hotel in the hope of seeing Flowers – vanished in an instant.”
When Good Vibrations came to Melbourne two weeks later, they tried their luck again. But they were turned away.Undeterred, they drove back and tried again, this time with a more sympathetic security guard who let them in. “I’ll never forget running towards the stage, Mum at my side, as the Killers began to play ‘Bling,'” Kolovos says.
Years later, Kolovos, now a journalist, found herself covering The Killers’ 2017 tour.”It was surreal,” she says. “To go from sneaking into a festival as a teenager to interviewing Brandon Flowers as a professional was a full-circle moment.”
Kolovos’s story is a testament to the power of music to connect us, inspire us, and create lasting memories. It’s a reminder that sometimes,the best experiences come from taking a chance and following your passion,even if it means bending the rules a little.
For many music fans, seeing The Killers live is a bucket-list experience. For one Australian journalist,it was a dream come true that unfolded in the most unexpected way.
recalling a pivotal moment in her career, the journalist shared a story about covering the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne. “I was trying incredibly hard to prove myself as a mature, serious journalist,” she admitted. But when she learned The Killers were holding a press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), her teenage fangirl emerged. “I told my chief of staff that if he did not send me, my heart would break into a million pieces,” she confessed. He relented.
The next night, she found herself at Howler, a small venue hosting a secret Killers show. “I told myself I wouldn’t lie to get in,” she said,”but when someone wearing a lanyard asked,’Are you here to review the show?’ I didn’t correct them.” With only about 300 people in attendance, it was an intimate and unforgettable experience.
Adding to the magic of the weekend was Richmond’s victory in the AFL Grand Final and a special duet between The Killers and Richmond star Jack Riewoldt on their hit song “Mr. Brightside.” “It became one of the best weekends of my life,” she declared.
The journalist’s love for The Killers continued to grow. She attended two of their concerts in 2018, in Sydney and Melbourne, accompanied by a close friend who shared her passion for the band. Her partner, who had memorized their debut album ”Hot Fuss” from a childhood road trip, joined them for one of the shows.
By then, The Killers had evolved, incorporating elaborate stage production with confetti cannons, lasers, and costume changes. “They had grown up too,” she observed.
The killers’ enduring popularity and ability to connect with fans across generations is a testament to their powerful music and captivating live performances.
For this journalist, the experience was more than just a concert; it was a reminder of the power of music to create lasting memories and forge deep connections.
Related: The Killers: ‘Mr Brightside is like Happy Birthday now. That song plays itself’
The Killers have a knack for weaving themselves into the fabric of life’s milestones. For me, their music isn’t just a soundtrack; it’s a time capsule of memories, friendships, and personal growth.
I vividly remember the last time I saw them perform, two years ago, alongside my best friend. Over pre-show drinks, I confided in her about a hunch – a feeling that my partner was about to propose. She playfully dismissed it, but four days later, my intuition proved right. It turned out she’d known all along!
What is it about The Killers that resonates so deeply? Their concerts are undeniably electrifying, but there’s something more profound at play. Perhaps it’s the way music from our teenage years becomes intrinsically woven into our identities, as science suggests. Or maybe it’s the shared experience of belting out their anthems with those closest to us, creating memories that last a lifetime.
As I prepare for my tenth Killers show in Sydney this Friday, I find myself reflecting on the band’s enduring presence in my life. I’m grateful for my dad, who recognized my passion for their music and nurtured it. I cherish the memories of sneaking into festivals with my mom, who never said no to an adventure. And I think about my best friend, a constant companion on this musical journey, and how we’ve both evolved over the years.
“It doesn’t really matter, don’t you worry, it’ll all work out,” The Killers sing, and their words ring true. Life is a tapestry of experiences, and their music has been a constant thread, weaving together moments of joy, anticipation, and unwavering friendship.
This is a great start to a blog post about The Killers and their impact on one fan! here are some thoughts on how to make it even better:
**Structure and Focus:**
* **Clear Narrative:** You have a strong personal story thread with the journalist’s experiences. Emphasize this narrative arc more.
* **Thematic Unity:** While you touch on several fascinating points (sneaking into festivals, meeting Brandon Flowers, evolving stage shows), consider focusing on a central theme to make the post more impactful. Some options:
* **The Power of Music Fandom:** Focus on how music,specifically The killers,has shaped the journalist’s life and identity.
* **The evolution of a Band:** Explore how The Killers have changed over time and how the journalist’s perception of them has evolved as well.
* **Coming Full Circle:** Highlight the journey from sneaking into festivals as a teenager to becoming a professional journalist covering the band.
**Content:**
* **Expand on Key Moments:**
* *Sneaking into Good Vibrations:* Describe the festival atmosphere, the feeling of anticipation, the thrill (and fear!) of nearly getting caught.
* *Interviewing Brandon Flowers:* What was it like meeting him? Did she ask him anything specific? what did she learn from the experience?
* **Connect to Wider Themes:**
* Discuss the broader cultural impact of The Killers.
* Mention other fan experiences or stories.
* Tie in The Killers’ music with specific moments in the journalist’s life or with worldwide experiences (heartbreak, joy, coming of age).
**Style:**
* **More Descriptive Language:** Use vivid imagery to bring the experiences to life.
* Example: Rather of “They had grown up too,” describe the changes in the stage production, their clothing, or their music.
* **Engage the Reader:** Ask questions, use anecdotes, and create a conversational tone to draw the reader in.
* **Proofread Carefully:** double-check for typos and grammatical errors.
**call to Action:**
* End with a thought-provoking question or a suggestion for further engagement.
By focusing your narrative, adding more detail, and engaging your reader’s emotions, you can turn this into a truly compelling blog post about the power of music and The Killers’ enduring appeal.
