In an interview in this month’s Q Magazine, Killers frontman
and member of the Mormon elite Brandon Flowers declared that he is the true
epitome of rock and roll. Now, you don’t have to be that well-informed to know
that Flowers isn’t some drugs hoover or has hollow legs. Instead, he puts down
this rock and roll attitude to being somebody who does what they want, when
they want. This includes going to bed early and attending to his faith. Well,
it’s the thought that counts anyway.
On the basis of last night’s hastily aborted show at
Manchester’s Evening News Arena, the decision to haul the band off after four
songs might stand as a real test of nerve and support that rather grandiose
“rock and roll” statement. Not long after opener Mr. Brightside (performed with
the house lights on; an annoying trait of arena-level bands), Flowers’ on stage
patter was conducted with a noticeably hoarse voice. One track from the
disappointing Battle Born, Smile Like You Mean It and Spaceman followed
before it all fell apart. Not even halfway through Bling (Confessions Of A
King), Flowers made the hand across the throat motion to an invisible
stage-hand and ordered the band to wind it up. To those watching the outcome
was inevitable, but Flowers felt we should hear it anyway: “I’m sorry. I’ve
never had to do this before but we’ve gotta stop. I can’t sing…I don’t know
what else to tell you. I’m sorry. I know it’s frustrating for you and I’m
sorry. I promise that we will come back” Flowers told the crowd.
The usual and inevitable boos and jeers rose up. They are
justified, of course. People will have spent a fair amount of dough to get to
the gig and consequently, frustration is simply a by-product of having the rug
pulled from under your feet. However, let’s review a number of issues and
possibilities:
- Had Flowers continued, his voice would more than likely have degraded to a dry whisper. The result? A half-arsed show and the cancellation of more dates. Those in attendance would have taken to THE INTERNET to voice their displeasure and accused him of phoning it in and other tired rants.
- If the show had resumed after half an hour or more, the venue would have been starkly emptier and the atmosphere completely flat. Turning on the house lights and addressing the audience as a real person and not a performer can really destroy your suspension of disbelief. Maybe it’s a poor excuse, but the art of illusion counts for a lot in showbiz.
- The lad’s a professional singer. His voice is his trade. Would you send a pro-driver out for the long haul in a rickety car? Well, some might but the more sensible of us wouldn’t.
The Killers, for whatever faults they may have, are hardly a
group that carries with them a reputation for slack attitudes towards their
music and supporters. Brandon Flowers, for all of his verbal posturing, is
hardly Axl Rose. We all have our off days. It’s just a shame Flowers had one in
front of 15,000 or so people.
There is, naturally, a very real possibility of a more
sinister reason for this. Maybe if he hadn’t spent so much time gassing with
Mitt Romney over some fine, luxurious lunches then his voice might have been
saved. Maybe this was Romney’s suicide pill; the young’uns don’t like you, so
take the fight to them instead. Damage one of their idols. Maybe those magic
tablets do have some worthwhile advice on them after all.
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