The Killers, Prudential Center, 8.8.13

Killers, Prudential Center, 8.8.13

You should not waste your time trying to decipher what Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers is singing about.  "He doesn't look a thing like Jesus/But he talks like a gentleman/like you'd imagine when you were young"

Somebody Told Me/that you had boyfriend/that looks like a girlfriend/that I had in February of last year."

"I Got Soul/But I'm Not a Soldier."  "Smile Like You Mean It."  "Are we Human?/Or are we dancer?"

OK, some of it makes sense.  But don't bother looking for hidden meanings or layered nuance in the web Flowers, and his bandmates Dave Keurning (guitar), Ronnie Vanucci Jr (drums) and Mark Stoermer (bass), weave.  They are a "what you see is what you get" act.  When done correctly, as displayed last night,  that proves to be a winning formula.

Not long ago the spectacle that is arena rock seemed to be something in my past.  The boys from Clark County, Nevada served up a spirited reminder that rock, or at the very least hard pop, is alive and well.  Their two hour set entertained and energized an impressive, but far from sold out Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

The "Pru" is a big freakin room so it should not be a disappointment that the top bowl was covered with curtains and not open for business.  Selling out this place is reserved for Jersey royalty like Bruce and Bon Jovi.  That said, the floor was packed and the lower level/mezzanine was madness.  When you have to wait 10 deep for a beer you are doing something right.  At those prices too!  

Side note:  more than the scale of an arena, the prices are the real culprit for keeping me away.  Parking near the arena (Newark mind you.) is at least $20.  Bottled water is $8 and you can't keep the bottle.  Beer and alcohol at the "Pru" are, as expected, absurdly priced.  For an "event" like this it makes sense to pay a little extra for the ticket.   How does a family of four do it though?  Tickets at, let's see low end $40 a piece.  Before you know it after a few drinks and snacks a nice night out is $500.  Devils games do the same thing to you.  Broadway shows are outrageous too.  Art is costly sure.  But do the hot dogs, Budweiser, and merch have to fleece you too?  Is it senseless to argue since people were waiting 10 deep for the overpriced beers?  Probably.  Supply and demand suggests I should shut up...so back to the show.

It has been 10 years since The Killers released their debut album, Hot Fuss.  That record gave the World the radio staple "Mr. Brightside."  10 years with the same lineup.  10 years honing their craft.  10 years and 3 more LP's that continue to highlight their ability to write, record, and indeed perform their winning catalog.

Flowers, with full house lights on, calmly strolled to a piano center stage right around 9pm.  The crowd was slightly aware, but unsure what to make of it.  When he sung "We hope you enjoy your stay/Even if it's just for the day" from "Enterlude"  the audience arose.  Soon the entire band made their way to their instruments and erupted into the first verse of "When We Were Young."  When they hit the second verse the lights went down, the pyrotechnics lit up, and a rock show was born.

Flowers works both sides of the stage, stands on the stacks, commands, conducts, and runs the show.  He has a voice more than capable of carrying an arena.  Oh, and he's like 5'7" and 100 pounds.  Lots and lots of power from such a slight frame.  As he was quick to mention (although thankfully the banter between songs was kept to a minimum) folks from Vegas know how to put on a show.  The light show and speaker volume were jacked up real high too.   The effects were not gimmicky or cheesy though.  This is a well choreographed show start to finish.  

Were there some down times?  A little bit.  A cover of the Tommy James/Tiffany song "I Think We're Alone Now" was uninspired and weak.  They have been playing The Who's "Eminence Front" on this tour, and that would have been far more welcome.  There were also too many sing alongs.    Flowers, like many singers these days, urges his audience to belt out popular refrains.  It's kinda cool for one or two tracks, but maybe not 4 or 5.  We know we all can't sing.  That's why we paid to see you do it.

Overall this is a steady, accomplished band who have a confidence and stage demeanor unlike any arena act I have seen in recent memory.  Full disclosure, this blogger sees very little arena shows.

Late last year The Killers released Battle Born, their 4th LP.  It is where the single, and perhaps their crowning achievement "Runaways" first appeared.  Last night, during this song in particular, Flowers channeled Springsteen and Bon Jovi.  This is an arena anthem.  And, it turns out, this is an arena band.  

But don't take my word for it.  Ask the several families in attendance.  Ask the old guy next to me who danced ALL show.  The sold out general admission section, filled with awestruck teenage girls and their awkward adolescent dates, ate it up like a Twilight/Hunger Games double feature.

The Killers are the one thing from Vegas that, lucky for us,  did not stay in Vegas.  Viva!

Other highlights included, but are not limited to:

"For Reasons Unknown", "Spaceman" and the Joy Division cover "Shadowplay"

Full setlist can be found here:  Killers setlist 8.8.13

Killers arrive with the stage lights on.  Great way to start the show.

Nice crowd on the "Pru's" floor

Lasers, Lasers and more Lasers

M83, Wellmont Theatre, 10.4.12

Sometimes a little theatre, placed at precisely the right moment, can go a long way.  Last night at Montclair's Wellmont Theatre, as the house lights went down, a tiny "alien" appeared center stage.  He had a jawa meets Henson puppet look to him.  He?  Hmm, it might have been female.   As a bass driven synth sound filled the venue he raised his hands and lasers lights beamed from his fingers.  It was silly camp and clearly over the top.  And it happened to be very effective and good clean fun.

M83 was coming on stage.  Be prepared for something just a bit different.  For 90 minutes or so come join the mothership.

It's been over a year now since their song "Midnight City" captured the alt world's attention and as long that M83 has been touring in support of their 6th LP Hurry Up, We're Dreaming.   The time on the road coupled with a strong catalog has suited the band quite fine.  Born from Frenchman Anthony Gonzalez's vivid imagination and attention to detail M83 is a formidable live act.

They say the style is "shoegaze."  You know, "the extensive use of reverb effects and lyrics spoken softly over loud instrumentals."  Gonzalez and his cohorts, brother Yann (guitars/vocals/electric percussion), Morgan Kibby (synths/vocals), and drummer Loic Maurin are a kind of pop/synth jam band.  For this show Jordan Lawlor from NJ band Future Future sat in for Jann.  There are detours within songs highlighted by sly ambient beats that soon explode into drum fills and soaring vocals.  At times it is both melody and chaos.  It's an exercise in futility to really label it at all.  

Although to call it performance art set to a wonderful score might be appropriate.  Anthony Gonzalez has said Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (a monster double album w/ 22 songs) was written as a kind of soundtrack to an imaginary movie.  It's no wonder that several of its tracks have appeared all over films, commercials and television shows.   You most likely heard some M83 in shows like HBO's 24/7,  CSI Miami, Gossip Girl, Project X, ABC's Revenge and Cloud Atlas and this Expedia spot.

The songs are strong on their own.  Put that record on during the day and it will provide ample smiles and soothed nerves.  Pay closer attention to a track or two, most notably "Intro", "Reunion", "Wait," "Steve McQueen"and "Outro" and you might find yourself dreaming of a far off planet, or a lover's touch, or infinite possibilities.

Performed live, with M83's enthusiasm and joy, and the songs are a pure celebration.  A superb light show adds to its overall "other wordly" effect.

The concert was their first one in New Jersey and they seemed genuinely happy to be there.  The only real banter between songs was some awkward shouts of "New Jersey" from A Gonzalez.  It is a time tested tradition to illicit cheers be simply stating where one is.  Where else can you do that but on stage?  Try going into your office Monday morning and screaming "Office!!"  How long before they take you away?

Mostly the band stayed in character, knocked it out of the park, and sent the  (large) smiling crowd on their way.

You can label it "shoewave", or "80's retro," or "synth laced trip rock."  

Or call it what it really is: "rock and roll" (and I like it.)

More on M83:  M83 Official or M83 Unofficial 

Highlights:

"Sitting"  Yann pounded away on some sort of Digital keyboard/cowbell a few times during the night.  His big head of curly hair bounced with him as he frantically pounded away to this fast moving jam Tron would be proud of.  One of their older tracks but fit right in with the newer material.  One of the show stoppers for sure.  A glow stick waving ride if there ever was one.

"Wait"  Who doesn't like the slow, and we mean slow starting track that ends with a huge crescendo.  Bon Iver comes to mind with the first 3 minutes of this one.  The harmonies are outright splendid here.  When brothers Gonzalez and Kibby sang "No Time" it induced goose bumps.  A very powerful synth ballad.  Ridley Scott must have this on his iPod.

"Steve McQueen"  Again, arena filling vocals and an immense beat/vibe.  Hard to stay mellow with this one sending shivers up your spine.  A splendid pop song.

Alien ringmaster starts the proceedings.

Kibby rocked out in a flowing red dress and high freaking heels.   It was a little hot.

Some nice sax moments throughout the night...  notably during "Midnight City".  It had a very St Elmo's Fire and/or Thunderdome Tina Turner shirtless sax guy feel to it.  Totally cool and fit right in.

Jordan Lawlor from Sparta, NJ band Future Future, frantically pounding the synth/drum/whatever the hell it is.

M83 10.4.12 Setlist, Wellmont Theatre