Review: The Killers Big Day Out side show in Sydney

After a short hiatus, The Killers have exploded back onto the music scene with their fourth studio album 'Battle Born', a world tour, plus headlining sets at summer's biggest festivals including the Big Day Out here in Australia.

1500 freakin' lucky fans packed into Sydney's Metro Theatre last week as the room filled with a buzzing energy released in a great roar as the rockers took the stage down under for the first time in two years.

Opening with their debut single 'Mr. Brightside', the first of a slew of hits songs from their decade-long career, the crowd knew every word as front man Brandon Flowers' vocals were backed by the singing full house of fans.

Easily transitioning into 'The Way It Was', a fresh track from their latest AC/DC influenced album, the set was an equal mix of songs from all four records. Flowers effortlessly bopped around the stage as his long-haired band mates Mark Stoermer, Dave Keuning and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.'s instruments (including a gong!) boomed.

"I don't like talking about it, so I just sing about it," Flowers said sweetly, as he played the familiar synth line to 'Smile Like You Mean It' from behind his lightning bolt shaped podium.

Hard pressed to find himself not on a best dressed list, the group's handsome lead singer next announced they were going to pick up the pace a little bit with 'Spaceman'.

Flowers' infectious bright white smile filled the room as they performed the answer to 'Mr. Brightside' – 'Miss Atomic Bomb', 'Human', 'Somebody Told Me', 'Here With Me', and 'For Reasons Unknown'.

"I know it's only a Wednesday night, but I hope you brought your dancin' shoes," teased the frontman as they tested the upbeat 'From Here On Out' with a goofy sing-along.

Slowing down the tempo, Flowers dedicated 'Dustland Fairytale' to his late mother before paying homage to Australian band Crowded House with a cover of 'Don't Dream It's Over'.

Ramping back up with 'Read My Mind' and newest anthem 'Runaways', the band finished the set with fan favourite 'When You Were Young'.

Listening to the audience's cries and cheers for more, The Killers returned to the stage for an encore as Flowers cheekily asked, “Did you miss us?"

Introducing the crowd to new song 'A Matter Of Time', they ended with hits from their 2003 debut album 'Hot Fuss', 'Jenny Was A Friend' of mine and 'All These Things That I've Done' as the crowd bellowed along to the lyrics, "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier".

There is a heartfelt theme in The Killers lyrics combined with sweet doses of Flowers' "southern flavour," which makes you realise this extremely successful modern rock band are just a bunch of guys who have experienced battles, happiness and heartbreak, the same as you and I. But they prefer to express it through music, and they do it exceptionally well.

Do yourself a favour and get their new album 'Battle Born' and go and see them perform live – there's still time to catch them at the Big Day Out!

Written by Elise Vout