Brandon Flowers at Shepherd’s Bush Empire
On a quiet Monday night, Brandon Flowers’s tour touches London for the second time this year to promote his latest record, The Desired Effect. The Shepherd’s Bush Empire couldn’t be any more packed, with people standing on every staircase – even leaning over the stalls’ bar.
As he walks on stage, the Las Vegas native exhibits a haircut worthy of Harry Styles; he masters his audience with uncontainable joy, a feeling that pervades the entire venue.
The set begins with a surprise, a brand new track called Come Out with Me; it’s a heartfelt piano-driven ballad with meaningful lyrics and an awe-inspiring momentum that would make for a great Christmas song.
As opposed to the aggression and power he shows off commanding the stage with The Killers, as a solo artist Flowers dictates the tempo with the authority and smoothness of a crooner.
The Desired Effect is more poppy, more 80s and less Killers than his debut. It’s impressive how in five years, in between the band’s global tours, Flowers has found the time and inspiration to put together a fantastic mix of hits and proper album songs.
There are far too many highlights to mention, but a few tracks really stand out: Magdalena, I Can Change, Between Me and You and Still Want You. Joking about playing a cover of the Destiny’s Child’s Bootylicious, Flowers reinterprets four Killers songs including Human and the Jacques Lu Cont’s Thin White Duke remix of Mr Brightside.
Singalong-inducing performances are the easiest to remember, and if that’s a measure for excellence then this has been a great concert.
Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor
For further information about Brandon Flowers and future events visit here.
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