SLCene Suggests: The Killers at UCCU Center

THE KILLERS, UCCU CENTER, Orem, Friday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m., $28-$53

When the Killers first arrived on the scene, I wrote them off as little more than a glitzy flash in the pan out of Vegas, a band obsessed with the hooks and sounds of ’80s bands. The band followed up their hit debut, though, with albums like Sam’s Town and the new Battle Born which indicate an appreciation for bombastic, heartfelt arena-rock ala Springsteen or U2. The approach works well for lead singer Brandon Flowers and his cohorts, particularly live, where the band’s anthems come across better than they do on record. Once I saw the Killers in concert, I came to understand why they got so popular in the first place. With pop-rocking Tegan & Sara also on the bill, a trip to Orem on a Friday night doesn’t sound quite as ridiculous as it normally would.