Nobody does good-natured Vegas showboating like The Killers. It’s a birthright for the electro rockers, after all.
They paid good tribute to the bright lights of their hometown in a dazzling 95-minute set at Lollapalooza — one full of laser lights, hypnotic visuals and giant letter props — yet the band also showed dedication to Chicago and its rock music history, too.
“When we were first starting out, a band that was a big influence on me was from Chicago,” frontman Brandon Flowers shared midway through the show. “We don’t pay them enough respect, but we will tonight. They’re called Material Issue, check ‘em out.”
The troupe then delivered a take on the influential Chicago rockers’ song “Very First Lie,” likely introducing the band to the 97% of the crowd. It was a moment you only hoped made Jim Ellison smile from the great beyond.
The Killers also packed in another cover, Erasure’s ‘80s synth pop gem “A Little Respect,” that stuck relatively close to the original. But, of course, it was the band’s time-tested material that most won over the large crowd at T-Mobile Stage.
“We are The Killers, and we are a great rock band. Here, let us show you,” Flowers, dressed in an embroidered floral suit, boasted early on, and hewasted no time getting right into what the people came for. The show kicked off with “Somebody Told Me” and was shortly followed by the three-pronged punch of “When You Were Young,” “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” and “Smile Like You Mean It.”
The setlist was a highly curated affair, built with love and respect for the fans who have stuck by The Killers since the dawn of the new millennium, and echoed Flowers’ comments when he said, “We are in the service industry, we want to make sure you have a good time.”
When the bandmates weren’t entertaining the masses with the arena-rock flair they have become known for, Flowers did so solo with some inspirational nuggets. His best gift was the great Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us,” to introduce “Another Life.”
Soon after, the frontman had another sweet gesture up his sleeve, inviting a fan from the audience, “Oscar from Chicago,” to play drums on “For Reasons Unknown.” The band has been diverting to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in other cities in recent stops, and several people came prepared with signs in Chicago to get Flowers’ attention. “Are you confident? There’s 100,000 people out there,” he asked Oscar before allowing him up on stage to relieve longtime drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. The local musician was a total natural.
If that moment wasn’t enough to mobilize the sea of fans in Grant Park, then surely ending with the master hit “Mr. Brightside” did the trick as people continued to sing it as they headed out of the fest for the day. All of it was a great preview of The Killers’ upcoming residency later this month to celebrate 20 years of their debut album, “Hot Fuss,” in –—where else — Vegas.
The Killers performed in West Hollywood, California in 2019.
The Killers Lollapalooza set list
Somebody Told Me
Enterlude
When You Were Young
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
Smile Like You Mean It
Shot at the Night
In Another Life
Boy
A Little Respect (Erasure cover)
For Reasons Unknown
A Dustland Fairytale
Very First Lie (Material Issue cover)
Runaways
Read My Mind
Caution
All These Things That I’ve Done
Human
Mr. Brightside
Lollapalooza 2024 in photos
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Iverson Woods and Jade Flournoy pose for a photo on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Festival goers enjoy Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan fans wait at the barricade before her set on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Adan Diaz performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A fan holds the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A fan pretends to bite the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
| Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
| Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Stay Safe Lolla is displayed on a tower prior to Megan Thee Stallion performing on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
| Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Kids watch Taj Farrant perform at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dress up as the Power Rangers as thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans listen to Wisp on the Second day of LollaPalloza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Ava Maybee performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Queen Herby performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Taj Farrant performs at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Festivalgoers dance at Casa Bacardí during day three of Lollapallooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Festivalgoers mill around on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Matthew Hendley of Happy Landing performs on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Leisure performs on the third day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Security mists festivalgoers as they wait for IVE to perform on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
IVE performs on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Festivalgoers watch IVE on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Stephen Carpenter of Deftones performs on the third day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Future and Metro Boomin perform on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Fesivalgoers scream as they watch Future and Metro Boomin on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Aja Volkman with Nico Vega performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Fans cheer and sing along as Teezo Touchdown performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
Teezo Touchdown performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
Two festival goers use hand fans to keep cool on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
Fans listen to Carmen De Leon on the last day of Lollapalloza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Chicago Sun-Times
Teddy Swims performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
A young fan holds up a sign that read’s “I Love Teddy Swims My First Concert!!” as Teddy Swims performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
SiR performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Thousands of Festival goers attend the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Thousands of festivalgoers attend the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Carmen DeLeon performs on the last day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Chicago Sun-Times
The Last Dinner Party performs on the last day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Tom DeLonge, left, and Mark Hoppus with Blink-182 performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
| Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Downtown buildings facing Grant Park are lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate the the fourth day of Lollapalooza, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
