The Killers have dropped a new track, “Bright Lights,” just in time for their inaugural residency on the Las Vegas Strip. The song, infused with the vibrant spirit of Las Vegas, will be released Friday, just before their shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The band will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, “Hot Fuss,” by performing the album in its entirety during the run of shows from August 14-30.
“Bright Lights” marks the band’s first new music since the release of 2021’s “Pressure Machine.” The Killers teased the song with a series of clips on their official Instagram, culminating in a 40-second trailer. The band’s management confirmed the song’s title this week. The upbeat track features a catchy chorus and a slick piano riff, with the repeated phrase “Turn the bright lights on.”
The song evokes the opening line of “Viva Las Vegas” and, similar to U2's “Atomic City,” coincides with the launch of the band's residency. The video for “Bright Lights” embraces casino imagery, showing original band members Brandon Flowers, Ronnie Vannucci, Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer confidently spinning around a roulette wheel.
The band's stage design also includes a nod to Las Vegas, with the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign and the word “killers” written in lowercase letters inside illuminated circles, underlining the cultural inspiration behind the show.
Two decades of shows
The Killers recently made a memorable appearance at Lollapalooza in Chicago, performing for 100,000 fans. The Chicago Sun-Times noted, “No one does the good-natured Vegas show like the Killers. After all, it's the birthright of electro rockers.”
Looking back at some of the band's most memorable performances over the years:
- House of Blues, September 2004: Shortly after the release of “Hot Fuss,” The Killers sold out the Mandalay Bay music hall. “Somebody Told Me” was a fan favorite.
- Empire Ballroom, October 2005: Vannucci joined Guns N' Roses' Mattia Sorum for a rendition of Led Zeppelin's “Whole Lotta Love,” opening the theater that would later be renamed (and closed) Mosaic on the Strip.
- Life is Beautiful, October 2013: The perfect band to kick off the downtown music festival. The Killers played “Viva Las Vegas” midway through their set.
- Shimmer Cabaret, Las Vegas Hilton, August 2010: Flowers' first solo performance to promote his album “Flamingo.”
- Zappos Theater, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” April 2019: During the week of shows at Planet Hollywood, Flowers recalled his time working as a delivery boy at Josef's Restaurant.
- Celebrity Nightclub, August 2006: An exclusive show for MySpace ticket winners at a now-closed club.
- Vegas Strong Benefit Concert, December 2017: “Mr. Brightside” was the penultimate song of a sold-out set at T-Mobile Arena, which concluded with another rendition of “Viva Las Vegas.”
- The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, April 2022: The club's sprung floor resounded with the sound of bouncing fans.
- T-Mobile Arena, August 2022: The concert ended with “Brightside,” while “Somebody Told Me” sent a wave of happiness through the crowd.
As The Killers prepare for their Las Vegas residency, it’s clear they’re ready to light up the Strip with their unique energy and talent.
