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The Killers

The Futureheads, Bloc Party, and Kaiser Chiefs

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With undoubtedly the best name of any band ever, The Kaiser Chiefs open tonight’s proceedings playing to a somewhat meagre audience. This is surely due to poor organisation rather than a lack of interest; with the doors opening less than thirty minutes before the Chiefs begin their Britpop blitzkrieg you get the distinct feeling that many have been left out in the cold.

Those inside are suitably warmed up by an energetic opening, although there are a few dissenters. “Yes, I predict one too, in two songs time,” responds singer Ricky Wilson to calls for that tune. They’ve got enough others to escape ‘one hit wonder’ taunts, though; ‘Modern Way’ and ‘Oh My God’ are equal if not better than the uber-popular ‘I Predict A Riot.’

Typically English, with nods to the likes of Madness and Blur, the Kaisers score points by not taking themselves too seriously. Bass player Simon Rix scores bonus points for his black and red pinstripe blazer.

Opening with the pounding rhythm and call-and-response lyrics of 'The Marshals Are Dead,' Bloc Party are in no mood to play second (or third, as the bill inexplicably has them) fiddle to anyone. They proceed to tear through material from their soon-to-be released debut alarm, ‘Silent Alarm,_’ with a cohesiveness that belies their status as a ‘new’ band.

Some call it punk-funk, but whatever the category is, Bloc Party are already well on their way to heading it. Perhaps more of an acquired taste than last year’s darlings Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party’s sound is anchored by a paranoid, twitchy rhythm section, perforated by angular assaults from the guitars of front-man Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack.

It’s a ‘Head-y combination, sounding at times like Thom and the boys might if they had a little more soul and a lot more amphetamine. When front-man Kele Okereke introduces latest release ‘So Here We Are’ as "a song about boredom," half of Rock City already knows the words.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but 2005 truly looks like it’s Bloc Party’s for the taking.

The volume award, though, goes to The Futureheads. Deafening and jerky, with an onslaught of tri-Mackem harmonies, they power their way through a set which seems to leave many bemused. "Where’s Brandon Flowers?" and "What the hell are tri-Mackem harmonies?" are the most pertinent questions.

The most well-received of their repertoire, unsurprisingly, is ‘Decent Days And Nights,’ which sees the band getting down with some moves that would put John Travolta to shame. Perhaps. What is certain is that they’re developing into an endearing live act; guitarist Ross in particular sporting a grin that contradicts the disconsolate feeling that permeates much of their material.

Other highlights in a set characterised by "fear and burglary" (their description, not mine) are ‘Carnival Kids’ and ‘Meantime,’ both replete with those trademark tri-Mackem harmonies, stop-start guitars and shed-loads of decibels.

Brandon Flowers and his Killers take the stage to a hero’s welcome, dressed as impeccably as you’d expect. Kicking off with ‘Mr Brightside,’ they exude an air of coolness totally at odds with the melodrama of their music. Flowers himself, master showman as he is, covers every inch of the stage, with at least one longing glance for each front row individual.

Guitarist Dave Keuning takes the phrase ‘playing to the audience’ to its logical conclusion by holding his guitar less than an arms length away from the crowd, inviting both adoration and molestation in equal measure.

It’s a typically consummate performance, justifying their headline slot to even the most sceptical indie kids in the audience. ‘Somebody Told Me’ is raucously disco, ‘Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine’ a showcase for some vocal gymnastics and ‘Indie Rock And Roll’ the cue for a good old-fashioned sing-song.

Love them or loathe them, they sure know how to put on a show. Even if Flowers’ inexplicably pink encore attire loses the battle of the blazers tonight, his band wins the war of the entertainers.

  • The Killers 9 / 10
  • The Futureheads 9 / 10
  • Bloc Party 9 / 10
  • Kaiser Chiefs 9 / 10

The Killers

Marvellous. I look foward to the Brighton gig!

The Killers

I was at the same gig and I have to agree with the review in that The Killers pretty much stole the show here, although whether that was because they knew they had to up their game due to the three class acts giving faultless performances before them is anyone's guess.

The Killers

"With undoubtedly the best name of any band ever, The Kaiser Chiefs"

How is this the best name ever? They nicked it off a South African football team.

The Killers

i was also at the same gig...down the front for most of it and i would say the heads stole the show. hardly anyone knew of them judging by the chatter around me, so many impatient people waiting for the killers. i think a lot of people were converted that night. mr brightside sounded so weak, very slowed down, first time ive heard it live. halfway through their set i made the pilgrimage to the bar...a lot of the lesser songs from hot fuss were definately more meaty live music-wise though.......im undecided.

The Killers

I went to the Liverpool gig last night, The Killers were a soul-less pile of wank, Futureheads blew them away & then some... Missed most of Bloc Party due to cocking up with door times... My fault annoyingly, but what I saw was superb...

The Killers

So the Killers are good live now? Whenever I've seen them, they've been boring tuneless shite (unlike their album, which is rather good)

The Killers

I was at nottingham, thought it was pretty damn good. Ive got tickets for manchester, but i unfortunatly sold them to my flatmates for a measly 20 quid each, cause i'm such a damn nice person. regretting it now.

The Killers

It's probably not cool to rate the Killers anymore, I apologise profusely.

As with the Kaiser Chiefs comment, it's called [i]opinion[/i]... get over it.

The Killers

Does anyone else think the Killlers guitarist is a bit of a bit haired notverytalented ego gimp? I just find him deeply annoying for some reason. I am troubled, yes.

Re: The Killers

they're brilliant. there.

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Seconded.

Re: The Killers

I saw this band called Tottenham Hotspur the other day. They were crap. They kept singing about German Deafos being Yiddos? For a minute I thought it was about me. It wasn't.

Re: The Killers

of course, you meant to say, the best band name outside Camp Actor.

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Same here.
And Cardiff fans are right bastards at times.
If anyone heckles during The Futureheads, may God have mercy on their souls.
See you down the front!
Jon

Re: The Killers

Was at this gig and was there for the last 2 Killers gigs in Rescue Rooms but it seems like the huge majority of people were there to see the Killers including a massive group of chavs stood near us lobbing stuff into the crowd all night. (must be hard when as a band you realise that more and more nobs are turning up at your gigs!)

Other than that it was a great night with Hounds of Love being the highlight!

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liked it all! easily pleased.

The Killers

Saw the tour in Bristol last night. Kaiser Chiefs were poptastic, Bloc Party were life-changingly good in my humble opinion, The Futureheads rule and The Killers... are a good pop band with some great singles and some very average tracks. And Brandon can't sing.

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