Despite hailing from Las Vegas The Killers sound is much closer to home.

Soulful - Killers at V

This is understandable with the band counting Oasis and The Smiths as major influences and may explain why they got such a warm reception at V.

The four-piece were led onto the NME stage on Saturday by singer and keyboard player Brandon Flowers.

Flowers' keyboards gives The Killers a synth rock feel but their sound is far from dated and the crowds flocked to see them.

In a short seven song set the band built the intensity, starting with 'Smile Like You Mean It' and 'Somebody Told Me'.

Despite a few technical problems Flowers together with guitarist David Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci were soon winning over the uninitiated.

The band went for a big finish with their biggest hit 'Mr Brightside' followed by the next single 'All Theses Things That I've Done' and didn't disappoint.

By Chris Runeckles

Published Saturday August 21, 2004