We may finally see the return of The Killers next year as the band plans to get their tour onto North American soil.
The trek supporting their 2020 album, “Imploding the Mirage,” was originally scheduled for the summer of 2020, then pushed due to COVID. But as we eye 2022, the tour dates have been lined up and announced.
The “Mr. Brightside” band did not sit around during the pandemic though. Since they could not tour, they went ahead and released another album, “Pressure Machine,” this past August.
The album has been described as “stripped-back and country-driven,” and gives me Johnny Cash/indie rock hybrid vibes (“In the Car Outside” is my personal fave). If that was too mellow for you, they have said there is ANOTHER album in the works and it is “heavier.”
That possible record is also expected to have all four members back in the fold. Guitarist Dave Keuning did not participate on “Imploding the Mirage” while he took a break to be with family. He returned for “Pressure Machine,” but bassist Mark Stoermer was sheltering in place due to COVID and was not involved. All four members are expected to return for the next album; Keuning, Stoermer, drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr., and front-man Brandon Flowers.
Recently Flowers told NME about their new music: “It’s a little bit more canyon rock. Maybe a little bit more traditional Killers, I guess.”
Of course, with their massive tour happening, things could get in the way of a new record. The Killers will hit Mexico and Europe for stadium shows and festivals before arriving in North America. They’ll spend August through October in our region before heading to Australia at the end of 2022.
With the release of “Hot Fuss” in 2004, The Killers had massive success almost overnight. The debut album, which included “Somebody Told Me,” “Smile Like You Mean It,” “All These Things That I’ve Done,” and “Mr. Brightside,” earned them Grammy noms and multi-platinum status.
After touring the globe for “Hot Fuss,” the band returned to the studio for “Sam’s Town.” The 2006 album once again made them Grammy nominees with a multi-platinum album fueled by songs “When You Were Young,” “Bones,” and “Read My Mind.”
The band has continued to have massive tours and monster albums since, even with several years in between releases. Their third album, “Day & Age,” another mega seller with fantastic tracks like “Human” and “Spaceman,” was followed by “Battle Born,” which gave us “Runaways” and “Miss Atomic Bomb.” Their 2017 album, Wonderful Wonderful” continued the pattern and made them the first international act to have five studio albums reach number one in the UK. (Is this why I always think of them as a UK band?!)
August 24, 2022 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego
August 27, 2022 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles
The Killers always put on a fantastic show, so you won’t want to miss it next year! Whether it be in SoCal or elsewhere, get your tickets now and grab “Pressure Machine” while you’re at it.
