When it comes to live performers, Brandon Flowers is on his way to legend status – and The Killers last night proved why they’ve deserved to reign supreme for nearly two decades.
The band, who are celebrating 20 years since the release of their iconic debut album Hot Fuss, have just played the first of four nights at the Co-op Live arena.
From the moment the first notes of Read My Mind echo through the venue, it’s clear that this night will be special. The crowd erupts with energy that will last throughout the 21-song setlist.
With tracks like Somebody Told Me and Spaceman following swiftly, the atmosphere inside the enormous new arena is electric, each song greeted with roars of approval and the audience singing every lyric back to the band.
The nostalgia is high with hits like Jenny Was a Friend of Mine and Smile Like You Mean It transporting us back to the early 2000s and reminding us why we fell in love with The Killers in the first place.
They seamlessly mix these indie rock classics with newer hits like Running Towards a Place and Caution.
One of the night’s highlights is undoubtedly All These Things That I’ve Done. The collective euphoria reaches its peak during the anthemic chorus, with the crowd chanting “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” in unison.
It’s moments like these that make live music so magical – the shared experience, the connection between band and audience.
Brandon Flowers, ever the charismatic frontman, is in his element. His interaction with the crowd, his commanding stage presence, and his flawless vocals make for an unforgettable performance.
As the main set wraps up with When You Were Young, the crowd’s applause reaches deafening levels, demanding more. The Killers oblige with a five-song encore that includes a surprising, yet brilliant cover of Erasure’s A Little Respect.
But it’s Mr Brightside, the final song of the night, that truly brings the house down. The entire venue is a chorus, singing along to what has become an anthem for a generation.
The Killers’ ability to blend new material with beloved classics, all while maintaining an electric stage presence, is what sets them apart.
For those fortunate enough to have tickets for the next shows, you’re in for an absolute treat.
Mika announces first-ever arena gig in Manchester next year
Thomas Melia
Global popstar and certified hitmaker Mika announces massive gig in Manchester set for next year as part of a huge string of world tour dates.
If you hear the name Mika and don’t instantly scream out, “I could be brown, I could be blue I could be violet sky”, you’re definitely on the wrong side of history.
This star has been pumping out hits like no other with singles ‘Grace Kelly’, ‘Lollipop’, ‘Relax, Take It Easy’, and plenty more since entering the music scene back in 2007.
Back in 2013, the Lebanon-born performer even released a Wicked-inspired duet ‘Popular Song’ with honorary Manc, Ariana Grande, called ‘Popular Song’ – with the latter going on to play Glinda in the live action musical.
Mika is heading out on a world tour which visits Manchester next year.
Now, the global singer-songwriter is ready to head out on his biggest tour to date, and he’s playing a variety of venues, including our trusty 21,000 seater AO Arena.
The ‘Grace Kelly’ penman found himself hitting a career pinnacle back in 2022 when he co-presented one of the music calendar’s biggest highlights: the Eurovision Song Contest.
With six studio albums to his name and another LP on the way, this upcoming run of shows will be nothing less than impressive.
Our friends over at The Hoot got an exclusive preview of the title track from Mika’s upcoming album ‘Spinning Out’ when he played a special set as part of Sounds in the City at Millennium Square.
As well as being known for his smash hit singles, another big talking point is Mika’s extravagant stage, one we’re sure the Manchester crowd will be embracing with open arms.
The last time Mika paid Manchester a visit was just last year at one of the city’s many live music venues, O2 Apollo, on his ‘Apocalypse Calypso’ tour, and he’s clearly eager to see our lovely faces once again.
Mika is embarking on the ‘Spinning Out’ tour and paying a visit to AO Arena in Manchester on 11 February 2026, with tickets on sale from Friday 11 July at 10am HERE.
Featured Images – Press shots (supplied via AO Arena)
Audio
Liam is paying a subtle nod to another member of the Gallagher family in the Oasis reunion set
Danny Jones
In yet another cute and rather unexpected moment about the Oasis reunion set during the first two nights in Cardiff, Liam Gallagher paid a lovely tribute to an unsung member of the musical family: his adopted dog, Buttons.
Because rock stars do whatever they want.
That’s right, while most people were understandably keeping their eyes firmly fixed on Liam and Noel as they still try and get to grips with the fact that they’re both actually there, on stage, in the flesh, other eagle-eyed viewers noticed a subtle nod playing on the massive telly behind them.
Flashing up right in the middle big screen was a technicolour image of none other than Buttons himself, whose adorable little face appeared during ‘Roll With It’ on night one at the Principality Stadium.
I’ll share more of Buttons story today on my insta for the day that’s in it…https://t.co/B8ruKgLn4p
This video from Niall Harbison – the person who was responsible for putting the two together in the first place – was likely something the animal rescuer was made aware of ahead of time, but it’s nevertheless still a very lovely touch.
For anyone unfamiliar with the full story, Niall has spent years saving dogs and other pets from poverty and the street over in Thailand, and one of those was Buttons.
During a visit from Liam and partner Debbie Gwyther (also his manager), the pair ended up being introduced to the pup and instantly fell in love.
Arranging to have what would soon be his favourite pet shipped over to the UK, he and LG have now been pretty much inseparable since September 2023.
This isn’t the only touching gesture seen so far on the Live ’25 tour:
Buttons the dog wasn’t the only soul that Oasis paid tribute to.
The Burnage boys’ comeback was always going to be unforgettable, even if they just got up there and did little more than play the songs, but it’s extra touches like these that are helping make the memories even more special.
In the case of Niall, regardless of whether he knew this was going to happen or not, it must have been an incredible feeling to see one of the countless street dogs he’s saved, not only now rehomed and happy but quite literally getting his own moment in the spotlight.
There were a lot of little details we noticed on night one of Live ’25 in Cardiff, and who knows how many of them will remain in the set for the rest of the reunion tour, but it’s great to see Oasis being reactive and the crew going the extra mile.
'I Hope, I Think, I KNOW' #Oasis Manchester homecoming is going to be nothing short of a religious experience. 🙏
Emily Johnson -
19th June 2024 
