The Killers leave Leeds Festival on a high

United Kingdom | | 25 August 2008

In the red corner, The Killers, who brought a showman-like flair to their set. Emerging from a set decked in vases and lights, and dressed like a Las Vegas MC, Brandon Flowers led the band through spectacular performances of hits such as 'Bones', 'Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine' and 'When You Were Young'. Closing with 'All These Things That I've Done, confetti cannons exploded across the audience.

Meanwhile, in the blue corner, Bloc Party kept the British end up. "I never normally enjoy Leeds this much", remarked frontman Kele Okereke. And it showed, 'Flux' and 'The Prayer' standing out as two of this weekend's top crowd pleasers.

After a heavier start courtesy of The Blackout, The Automatic's new lineup, bolstered by former yourcodenameis:milo man Paul Mullen, made a sparkling festival debut.

Dirty Pretty Things rolled out a Nirvana cover, while Editors' determination to play the festival early, rather than miss their slot, won extra points for the home side.

However, the British boys just couldn't top the American contribution. We Are Scientists' appeal to the crowd not to lose the pace in the late afternoon didn't fall on deaf ears through the likes of 'Chick Lit', before an Elvis-looking Jack White and the rest of The Raconteurs brought Tenessee to Yorkshire through the funky 'Steady As She Goes'.

Better luck next year, boys.

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