Brandon Flowers kills it in Los Angeles

November 10, 2010, at the Wiltern

By Cindy Cafferty
Published: November 12th, 2010 | 7:00am

He found fame as a Killer, and kill he did for the packed crowd in Los Angeles venue. As Brandon Flowers took over the Wiltern’s stage, it became surprisingly clear that he might just become a classic himself—surprising because when the leading Killer takes a stab at something new, you can’t help but speculate what you’ll find at the scene: a copycat, career carnage as a one-hit-wonder, or the real deal.

Flowers did kill at the Wiltern, but there wasn’t a hint of impersonation about his performance, and the only carnage left behind was any doubt—which he elegantly sniped away—on whether a rock frontman could slash the pop stereotype and blossom into a hit-making wonder all his own. He is, as it turns out, the real deal. Flowers left behind the histrionics of yesteryear (and the Hot Fuss sound that was the fuss behind the Killers explosion on the scene) and focused instead on a clean, simply exuberant performance that left the audience craving more.

There’s something to be said about simplicity and Flowers gets it. From the elegant lighting scheme to the stage set-up that mirrored tenets of a long-lost, classic Las Vegas—the vintage chest of drawers stage left (the same chest pictured on the cover of Flower’s solo debut Flamingo); the textured backdrop, mimicking expensive hotel curtains; and the drum kit, graced with a pink flamingo, sitting atop a wooden platform, “Brandon Flowers” emblazoned across the front in a classic font—the stage was set for an unadulterated performance.

And that’s exactly what the fans got as Flowers (dressed in a white button-up, the sleeves rolled up, a gray vest, and tailored jeans) stepped up to the mic, opening with the lyrics “When the lights go down on the city,” joined by two backup singers and an understated yet solid four-piece band. The song isn’t on Flamingo or any of the Killers’ records, but the crowd responded as though they’d been listening to it for years.

That’s the thing about Flower’s fans: they’re loyal, not too concerned with what he sings so long as he’s singing. He repaid the loyalty with mild bantering, loads of gesturing toward the crowd and a heretofore-unanticipated humility. He is known, after all, for his “Brandtrums,” a term coined after his marked displays of frustration at imperfections in past Killers’ sets. No “Brandtrums” this night, though. Instead, Flowers appeared grateful to perform and did so with an unexpected authenticity and quiet grace, coupled with the energy of a true believer—a necessary belief when you’ve only got one original album to cull from.

The crowd responded with matched enthusiasm, even when he covered “Bette Davis Eyes,” clearly not an original, yet one he still managed to make his own. He may not have the vocal range of singing greats like Rufus Wainwright or Jeff Buckley, but Flowers knows his tenor, keeps it simple and both writes and chooses song that make for a stellar performance. “Magdalena,” about a pilgrimage that takes place in Mexico, is a prime of example of a singer that makes his voice work for him, elevating him, in this instance, to a near Springsteen state.

His relationship with his fans doesn’t hurt either, nor does the fact that he played a tight set with some good-natured banter thrown in for good measure. “I realized the town wasn’t as fabulous as the sign made it out to be [remarking on a sign near his hometown that reads “Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas”]. I wrote a song about one of its off days,” he quipped before launching into “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas.”

The best things are worth waiting for and the real treat of the night came with the first encore song and a guest appearance by Police guitarist Andy Summers, with Flowers taking on “Roxanne” as red lights saturated the stage and a sweet storm of real rock ‘n’ roll rained down.

Flowers ended the night with a sole acoustic guitarist and the lyrics “He doesn’t look a thing like Jesus” before gracefully exiting the stage, leaving the guitarist to triumph in the cheers.

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Brandon Flowers official site

Brandon Flowers MySpace page

Island Records

Comments

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David (about 1 year)
You are wrong about the opening lyrics/song...it is definitely on Flamingo and the song is called "On The Floor". :)

al clut (about 1 year)
Love the review. But "On The Floor" IS on "Flamingo." It's the second to last track. Also, a not on his range. He has the same one as me: four octaves. Just sayin'

al clut (about 1 year)
Oh, and about the tantrum thing. Never heard of it, nor have any of the fans. I think that was just made up. But thanks for noting his authenticity and quiet grace. His fans prize his endearing humility, even when the press pretends he's not. So glad you received him clear-eyed, and eared. -A