all words and photos by Dakota
...
I'll admit it. I kind of love The Killers. Call it my obsession with modern alternative arena rock, or pretty much anything with a keyboard driven modern dance-rock arrangement (I'm no musician here people, apologies if my terminology is off), but maybe it's really just the fact that singing karaoke to Mr. Brightside is something I'm kinda famous for. Try it, seriously, I recommend it. Anyways, I know it's really cool to hate on The Killers, so we generously at BYT offer you a space at the bottom of the post to contribute all your thoughts. However, they're huge, and they put on a mostly amazing show replete with dazzling lighting effects, on-stage palm trees (and a cactus!), confetti and fiery showers of sparks from the sky. Everything you would expect from a band from Las Vegas.
Oh, just one small catch. No photography. Whack. SOOOOO whack, it's not even funny. So while my favorite contemporary alternative rock band sits in the corner, let me tell you about the other band that opened for them. And oh yeah, they happen to be AWESOME.
M83 performed a seriously subdued set at the Patriot Center Wednesday night. Dimly lit and joined by a backdrop adorned with the likeness of their female keyboardist (who looks like she's related to Svetlana, see below), their stage presence was a blasé non-existent practicality. No matter, the melancholy eerieness works perfectly with the minimalist lighting and the fact that all the GMU frat-boys who had come to scream along to "When You Were Young" had never heard of the French foursome so they stood around listing like zombies.
No, no matter. M83 was sublime. Their sound is mesmerizing, and I was left to wonder what their shows are usually like, having never seen them before, I can imagine that an arena full of people vibing out to the future space music sounds produced by this electronica ensemble would be a sight to behold. Fairfax on Wednesday night, however, was taken by surprise I think
Some dude sent me the shots of The Killers below, it's all you're gonna get, because as I mentioned before, there was no photography allowed. But do enjoy the mostly awesome shots of the confetti and sparks shower, and Brandon Flowers' hideous Nazi boots... whoever started that fashion statement, I'm still not buying it. The lead guitarist, by the way, was wearing a (no joke) silk tiger print button up that I swear had strings at the top that tied like a minstrel shirt from the Renaissance Fair (no joke), with a tiny baristas vest over it (no joke), to compliment his flowing Kenny G 'do. Do NOT try this at home.
In defense of The Killers and my frustration with them for not letting me take photos, I will say this: they played FOUR encores. Second to last was "Jenny Was A Friend of Mine," I honestly never realized how funky that song was until I heard it in person. That bass guitar rift is kick-ass, I don't care what anyone says. And I profoundly enjoyed their show. They rocked. I said it. I loved every second of it.
Previously in Live DC:
- 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
- 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
- 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre
- 2/7: LiveDC: Augustana/ Graffiti6 @ 930 Club
- 2/6: LiveDC: All Things Go Presents: Reptar/ Casual Curious/ Fort Lean @ Gibson Guitar Showroom
- 2/6: LiveDC: TYCHO/ Beacon @ RNR Hotel
- 2/6: LiveDC: The Kills / Jeff The Brotherhood @ 9:30 Club
God loves a cheerful giver.
tobi always says i look like that girl too and i look at photos and i don't see it.
p.s. yours and covert dude's photos look amazing
M83 are amazing. saw them last time they were at the black cat and at Coachella couple years back. They never disappoint. They are playing in La with a full orchestra. Jealous i can't make it to that
M83 are solid. Looking forward to Geologist from Animal Collective at Saint Ex this week. 930 for May is already sold out and it looks like those tickets will be a bitch to get.
i agree; nice photos. looks like other dude has the same camera as dakota.
wow. that really sux. at least you got to enjoy the show. i'm with you Dakota. have liked the killers since their first album. How could you not like a band that took their name from an imaginary band in a new order video.
btw, you should find out how that covert dude snuck the gear into the venue. i'd like to try that.
great shots. like some of the others have said, M83 are amazing. i've seen them 4 times now and each time they keep getting better and better. i recommend catching them whenever they come by the black cat again. it's a much better venue (and crowd) for their style.
m83 lady singer/keyboardist got quite the MAKEover MAKEover since the show @ black cat in june
Svet, don't worry, you're like her way cuter cousin.
The killers are a rip-off of Interpol, which are a rip-off of Joy Division, and M83 has nothing to do with them, other than they are "solid"-and I don't know music, but I do know originality.
In the rip off department (of the Killers) please add in U2 pre 1991 and Duran Duran 1982-1985
nothing original about The Killers expect for not allowing photographers photo passes
killers rip off interpol ???? really ??? killers don't sound anything like interpol (or joy division, or U2). Maybe, maybe a little just a little like duran duran. But really, only because a band has a signature 80s sound doesn't mean you can compare them to just any band out of the 80s (not incl. interpol).
joy division werent even as skilled at playing thier own instruments and making music like interpol does today. Sure the singer sounds like Ian Curtis, and both the bands have a dark undertone, but does anyone even reaallllyy listen to joy division besides the hit(s)? Some/most of thier songs are horribly amateur and sound like....utter poop..... but they seem to be a staple in the late 70's 80's/indie "scene" for some reason. I guess maybe because back then, they were considered something new, different and unusual so people thought they were this amazing band..............things that make you go.... hmmmmmmmm.
not arguing....just my 2 pennies....
When I first heard The Killers I thought it was a new CD by Interpol! Except the Interpol singer sings off key a lot, but thought he might have had singing lessons... and this new CD was a definate improvement. Turns out it was The Killers. Go figure. - I went online to see if others had had a similar experience. Glad to see some did.