Brandon Flowers Manchester Academy May 24th 2015

Brandon Flowers Manchester Academy

24th May 2015

 

In 2013 I went to see The Killers play live in Manchester on their 'Battle Born' Tour,and they were awesome. 2 years later 'Brandon Flowers' their charismatic frontman has decided to record the second Solo album (the latter being debut solo album 'Flamingo' in 2010)  , recently on record for stating that 'Battle Born' wasn't the best album 'The Killers' did it could've been better, self critical of his band he releases the daring 80's influenced 'The Desired Effect'.   

 

 

So now 'Brandon' is here in the UK on tour, which has completely sold out everywhere in minutes, the tour kicked off in 'Brixton Academy' London and he had 'Chrissie Hynde' as his special guest where they duetted 'Don't Get Me Wrong' to rave reviews, today he's here in 'Manchester',so what or who does 'Mr Flowers' have up his sleeve for tonights show??,as he soundchecks for over an hour (well he is a perfectionist and they have a new drummer so its gotta be right) it sounds good and I soon know who the special guest is I knew it would be him to be honest, and all will be revealed in the blog later.

 

As we queue outside,there's lots of excited fans waiting patiently in numerical order (IE markered up),so that when the doors open it should be easy and fair first come first served,well yes it should've been but security decided to cause a panic by queuing us up by 2 doors and letting one side in seconds before the front of the queue so then you get your queue jumpers and pusher forwards, eg.. causing bother,it was chaos however I managed to get a place on the barrier in front but not without a scuffle and a row with 1 fan complaining she wasn't stood with her friend and they were squashed, I said "I cant do anything about that love ,I'm not losing my place changing over" she was upset I looked at her in disbelief and said "Have you been to many gigs ??" I mean when do you ever get to stand next to your mate in the queue it virtually never happens does it !! 

 

So yes it was very squashed and support band 'Joywave' from 'Rochester ,New York'  walk on stage they already have a following on this tour and are quite a hit with 'The Victims' (The Killers Fanclub Term),lead singer was in black with black rimmed glasses looking quirky and dancing about ,their sound was akin to 'Friendly Fires' meets 'Hot Chip' in an indie dance  beat crossover they played some quite catchy material. 

 

 

Bringing us nicely onto 'Mr Flowers' himself as he walks on with his new band,wearing a uniquely tailored military jacket and slim fit trousers and his new trademark beige suede ankle boots,he beams a smile out to the crowd takes to the mic and begins 'Dreams Come True' a new song from 'The Desired Effect' he looks really pleased with the crowd tonight we're very loud, it is of course totally Sold Out!!, as he leaps up and over the amps with ease all the girls and boys scream and it's only just begun. 

 

He walks towards the edge of the stage toward the crowd and introduces 'Can't Deny My Love' the new single now his band has a new drummer in the line up he's had to learn all the new 'Brandon Flowers' material in a short space of time to ensure he's comfortable with them,So far so good,a song which really stood out was 'Hard Enough' with catchy chorus and 'Brandon' looking a total star,it was then time to treat us to a 'Killers' song a slowed down version of 'Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine' from 'Hot Fuss' and a couple more from 'Sams Town' 'Read My Mind' which was superb 'Mr Las Vegas' has done it again the crowd in the palm of his hand,you could tell he really lived and loved for being onstage tonight, he was like a kid in a sweet shop,his smile lit up the room. 

 

 

 Next up a 'Flamingo' fav set with 'Crossfire' and 'Magdelena' we all danced a bit more it felt less squashy and more relaxed, then he played 'Only The Young' we all did the hand actions like in the video, and sang along 'Brandon's energy was so infectious,it felt like a special show which obviously wanted to achieve tonight, Nailed it !!

 

 

So he treated us to another 'Killers' song 'Mr Brightside' which lifted the roof off the Academy, Encore time and who can it be? who is this special guest,'Brandon' finally introduces him onstage after a speech on Manchester music, can you guess ? he's from Manchester ...is responsible for being a pioneer in electro dance music in one of the biggest 80's band both here and in the U.S. and still going today... it is of course 'Bernard Sumner' of 'New Order' he walks on in a humbled manner and shuffles over to 'Brandon' and they begin 'Bizarre Love Triangle' with Brandon singing on some of the verses and chorus,it's awesome to watch as 'Bernard' does his unique dancing the younger people in the audience wont have a clue who 'New Order' are but they'll know this song now. 

 

 

'Brandon' looks like he's the cat that got the cream he loves 'New Order' and these guys have known each other for few years now so the chemistry was easy to see.  as 'Bernard' gracefully exits the stage waving, 'Brandon' brings himself back to earth  by playing 'I Can Change' my fav from the album it actually samples 'Bronski Beat's 'Smalltown Boy' another tribute of his love of all things 80's never more celebrated than on his current release 'The Desired Effect' he ends the set with 1st single taken from it 'Still Want You' complete with sing along bit and total domination of the stage 'Brandon' simultaneously conquers Manchester again and he and the band leave to rapturous applause.

 

Show over??

 

 

 

Outside the venue fans wait to catch a glimpse of their idol leaving the venue around 50 of us can hear shouting/talking I walk over to edge of the Academy building about to leave for my train when 'Brandon's guitar player appears with a guitar saying "If you all be quiet we might have a surprise for you" so we stand watching looking up as some lights are assembled and then 'Brandon' appears on the balcony waving smiling you'd think he hadn't even played the gig yet he looked so fresh and excitable he sang a beautiful acoustic version of 'The Way It's Always Been' and we all sang along its was amazing they filmed us apparently ,is it possible 'Brandon Flowers' is the new 'Elvis' of our Generation, Totally Awesome !!

 

 

Photos in the gallery soon got some great ones here's one for now below :0)

 

 

Lmi  xo