The Killers opened T-Mobile Arena on the Strip last year—even performing with Wayne Newton—and that seemed like the most right-now Vegas thing that could ever happen. But the band might have outdone itself this week when it played in front of Caesars Palace Monday night, launching new album Wonderful Wonderful (due September 22) and a tour with an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
A crowd of thousands packed the sweltering asphalt lot in front of the iconic resort—many local Las Vegans and longtime Killers fans—while VIPs watched the show from Omnia’s Strip-front terrace. Tourists stopped in their tracks on the Boulevard to get a glimpse of the action, while more fans grabbed a spot at Flamingo’s Margaritaville balcony or the Vortex at the nearby Linq.
The Killers stormed through fresh hit “The Man”—twice, actually, as this was a TV taping—before unleashing new single “Run for Cover,” a hard-charging rock anthem. With Kimmel duties wrapped up, the hometown heroes proceeded to plaster the Strip with more than an hour of music, stampeding through their greatest hits. Brandon Flowers took his time telling stories between songs, explaining how some Killers favorites were born from answering machine messages he’d leave for guitarist Dave Keuning, and asking drummer Ronnie Vannucci just how long his mother worked as a cocktail waitress in Caesars’ casino, just steps away.
When they finally signed off with “Mr. Brightside,” a hot summer Monday night had turned into a fan appreciation party, and another memorable Vegas moment for the Killers. The next one could happen Super Bowl weekend, when their tour brings them back home, to MGM Grand Garden Arena.
