Live Review: The Killers, Alex Cameron, Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders

Not unfamiliar with a support slot at Perth Arena, Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders may have still been somewhat uncomfortable, squashed up against the edge of the stage due to the headlining production's size. This detracted slightly from the live energy that typically follows this band around, although the sounds from Ladder's soon-to-drop record Blue Poles made up for any shortcomings with his rich baritone wrapping around the arena.

While Alex Cameron is riding a fairly high wave of publicity of late, he didn't engage with the audience anywhere near enough coming off Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders' set. Stranger's Kiss and Marlon Brando had an air of significance but the general admission section was largely unattentive, waiting for the main attraction.

The headliners burst into life immediately, The Killers' heading full-force into their set. Charging into their latest album's title track and tour namesake, Wonderful Wonderful, the group were flanked by a visual homage to their native state of Las Vegas. With wraparound projection screens, neon signs and a trio of glamorous backing vocalists, the hype of their set was almost immediately overshadowed by the awe on show.

The ever-dapper Brandon Flowers moved back and forth across the floor, seeking hotspots in the heaving GA section then pouncing onto the foldbacks and feeding from the audience as the band rolled into the '80s waves of The Man.

Though a thousand things could be said about the sheer scale of their production, lighting and props-wise - including a life-size replica water tower with ‘PERTH’ emblazoned across the front - it all paled in comparison to the knockout punch that the band commanded with their streak of hits.

Just seconds into the intro of Somebody Told Me any ideas some punters may have had about The Killers hitting their peak 15 years ago surely dissipated. The song hit the floor like a lightning bolt, the entire stadium instantly experienced an energy lift that propelled the band's efforts further. Effortlessly flickering between songs from all five records without a lick of lost momentum, the group dropped smash hits from Hot Fuss and Sam’s Town in between new cuts, covers and lesser-known singles - each track delivered with vigour and completely devoured by attendees.

Seeing over 10,000 smiles showered with confetti and streamers was deeply appreciated, but strip back all of the fanciful stage antics and you’d still have a premier rock outfit powering through a diamond-filled setlist.