The Killers – Rod Laver Arena
Photo Credit: Chris Phelps
The Killers Deliver Unforgettable Performances in Melbourne
As part of their highly anticipated Rebel Diamonds tour, The Killers brought their electrifying live show to Melbourne with three back-to-back performances at Rod Laver Arena. These dates included two Rebel Diamonds shows – featuring hits from across their storied career – and a special night dedicated to performing their iconic debut album Hot Fuss in its entirety, marking its 20th anniversary. Across these shows, the Las Vegas rockers reminded Australian fans why they’re considered one of the most enduring and dynamic live acts in modern music.
Opening the Melbourne shows was local indie band Radio Free Alice, whose new-wave and post punk influences delivered a captivating start to the evening. Kicking off their set with Look What You’ve Done, the band built momentum with tracks like On the Ground and Spain; blending sharp guitar work and melodic bass lines. Their set reached its peak with Paris is Gone, a crowd favourite, and closed with the punchy Waste of Space. Radio Free Alice were an ideal choice to support the tour, and it was fantastic to see them perform to their hometown crowd in a stadium setting.
Rebel Diamonds Delivers Career-Defining Moments
The first night of The Killers’ Melbourne run, the Rebel Diamonds show, saw the band take the audience through their extensive discography, with a setlist designed to showcase their biggest hits and fan favourites. Opening with Read My Mind, the iconic hit kicked off the show, and set the mood for the night. Somebody Told Me followed; pulling people from their seats and starting off a mass singalong throughout the audience.
After Spaceman, Brandon Flowers, wearing a dazzling, sparkled suit, addressed the crowd with a ‘What’s up, Melbourne? My name is Brandon Flowers, and I’ll be your host this evening. We’re The Killers, and we’re in the service industry. I believe you ordered a good time, is that right? Coming right up.’ With that, the band launched into Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, an early fan favourite.
Smile Like You Mean It once again took us back to their Hot Fuss days, while the equally synth-heavy Shot at the Night showed just how far the band had come over the years. Dying Breed was preceded by a lively vocal warm-up with the crowd, as Flowers encouraged participation before the song began. The set took a personal turn with My God, dedicated to a fan the band had met that morning at brunch who was celebrating their birthday.
The setlist continued with On Top; an upbeat and synth-driven track, followed by The Man, which oozed with swagger and charisma. A Dustland Fairytale provided one of the evening’s emotional highlights, before leading into Be Still, which slowed the pace and offered a moment of quiet. Runaways brought the energy back up with the band’s signature power ballads, while All These Things That I’ve Done had the entire arena singing along to its iconic hook.
The energy surged as the band launched into When You Were Young; its driving guitar riffs lighting up the arena. Caution followed with its soaring chorus, before the band welcomed a special guest onto the stage, bringing out Australian icon Iva Davies from Icehouse to perform a stirring rendition of Electric Blue.
The encore kept the excitement alive and kicking. Opening with Your Side of Town and boy, the band showcased some of their newer material, while Human kicked off a massive singalong moment. Closing the night with Mr. Brightside (the only way to close a set) left everyone on a high – every voice in the arena singing along, making for an unforgettable finale. The bar was well and truly set at an all-time high leading into night two.
Celebrating 20 Years of Hot Fuss
The second night was a gift for longtime fans, with The Killers performing their debut album Hot Fuss in its entirety. In the history of music, there’s unlikely been a stronger opening than The Killers launching into the first four tracks of Hot Fuss. Wearing a bright red suit, Brandon Flowers opened the show with Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, the atmospheric basslines instantly transporting the audience back to the band’s early days. Before launching into Mr. Brightside, Flowers reflected, ‘Welcome to 20 years of Hot Fuss. That’s a 20-year love affair between The Killers and Australia.’ He shared how he took a gamble, betting his life on three men he barely knew. ‘Some people go to Vegas and lose everything, but sometimes it goes the other way too,’ he said, before diving into the song of a generation.
Smile Like You Mean It and Somebody Told Me kept the good vibes going – the two tracks hitting hard with the audience. Reminiscing on their early days, Flowers spoke about his bond with guitarist ‘Dynamite’ Dave Keuning, recalling how there was a moment when they were the only two people on the planet who knew Mr. Brightside. He described them as ‘two misfits taking their shots from the gutter with stars in their eyes,’ before the band launched into All These Things That I’ve Done; featuring a surprise snippet of Elvis Presley’s Burning Love.
The midsection of the album continued to highlight just how incredible Hot Fuss remains, even 20 years later. Andy, You’re a Star, On Top (performed the night before as part of the greatest hits set) and Change Your Mind all welcome additions to the setlist after the main tracks were played. Believe Me Natalie was introduced with a lively drum solo before Midnight Show opened with a playful nod to Sinatra’s Luck Be a Lady – adding some vintage charm. Everything Will Be Alright followed, before Flowers introduced Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll with a story on how it blossomed from the original satirical commentary he had written into a joyful celebration of rock and roll music. As the band closed out Hot Fuss, the Vegas sign appeared with a ‘We’ll be back in five minutes’ as the band took their exit.
When the band returned, Flowers was now wearing a sharp white suit. Back to perform a second set of hits spanning their career, they opened with The Man; its swagger-filled rhythm energising the crowd. Human and This Is Your Life followed – bringing massive singalong moments that had the arena in full voice.
The cinematic energy of Caution and the heartfelt delivery of Runaways kept the momentum alive, before the reflective and melodic Read My Mind brought a quieter, emotional moment to the set. Before performing Bright Lights, Flowers shared, ’20 years ago, Hot Fuss blew the doors wide open for us. Here’s to 20 more years. It was a huge deal for us, it enticed you to this journey we’ve all been on. Celebration is a form of gratitude – thank you for sticking with us. Bright Lights is about expressing our appreciation.’
Closing the evening with When You Were Young, The Killers ensured the second night was as memorable as the first. The triumphant finale left the Melbourne crowd exhilarated, capping off a night that celebrated both the band’s history and their ongoing legacy. The band, hailing from fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada proved why their music has remained timeless for 20 years, and for many more years to come.