The Killers Make Up For Lost Times At Chicago’s United Center

“Chicago, we’re alive! We have to make up for lost times,” declared The Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers at Chicago’s United Center Wednesday. As soon as the band finished just their second full song of the night, “When You Were Young”, the crowd was roaring at a decibel usually reserved for an encore. Feeding off the energy, Flowers shouted back “nobody is in isolation tonight. This is a superspreader event…we’re spreading peace, love and rock ‘n roll”.

The Las Vegas rockers are currently touring to support both their sixth and seventh studio albums, Imploding the Mirage (2020) and Pressure Machine (2021). Joined by former Smith and indie rock royal, Johnny Marr, for the 19th consecutive time on this tour. Wednesday’s show checked everything off the rock show wishlist: guitar legends, confetti, pyro, lasers and back-to-back anthems.

Despite touring to support two new records released within the past two years, The Killers weren’t hesitant paying tribute to their catalog of earlier hits that made them the arena band they are today.

Nearly half of the band’s set included songs from their first two records. Highlights from their debut album, Hot Fuss, included “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine,” “Smile Like You Mean It,” and an absolutely electric performance of “Somebody Told Me,” accompanied by a laser show and nearly 20 thousand people sing-a-long.

The group also honored the longtime residents of Sam's Town, slinging hits off their second LP that's become widely considered one of the best rock albums of the 2000s. The only notable single not included in last night’s set was “For Reasons Unknown” - a fitting title to help us explain why the track was excluded from the setlist.

The night wasn’t just a greatest hits show. The Killers played a handful of songs from Imploding the Mirage, which is also the name of their current tour. A notable highlight included a pyro filled performance of “Caution”, which was the lead single off Mirage. The band also treated fans to their latest single, “Boy”, which was released just this past July. While the band is reportedly working on an eighth album, “Boy” was recorded during the Pressure Machine sessions but wasn’t included on the final release.

Paying homage to their new wave and post punk roots, the band honored their supporting act and musical muse, Johnny Marr with a cover of the Smith's "This Charming Man”.

Marr stuck around for one more to help the band close out the night with their Grammy nominated and chart topping single “Mr. Brightside”. All of Chicago likely heard 20 thousand people belt “Open up my eager eyes, 'cause I'm Mr. Brightside”.

If for whatever reason you needed more convincing, last night’s show at the United Center was only more evidence that The Killers are one of the best rock bands of the 21st Century. Not only do they have a frontman in Flowers that owns the stage similar to the legends of the 70s and 80s; the band’s catalog of hits and arena anthems have already proven they’ll stand the test of time (if not get even bigger along the way).

There’s no doubting it, The Killers have claimed their spot as, dare I say it, one of the latest members of a beloved class of classic rock bands. Sorry Millennials.

For a list of remaining tour dates and tickets, click here. See more photos from Wednesday’s show by Chris Phelps below.