The Killers are an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2001, the band consists of Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards), Dave Keuning (lead guitar, backing vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion). The Killers are known for hit songs like “Mr. Brightside,” “Somebody Told Me,” “When You Were Young,” and “Human.”
In 2022, The Killers announced an extensive global tour in support of their latest album Pressure Machine. Fans are eager to see The Killers perform live and find out who will be the opening acts for each show. The openers help set the mood and get the crowd excited to see the headliner. Quality supporting acts can make a good show into an unforgettable one. So who can fans expect to see when The Killers take the stage in 2023?
Johnny Marr
One confirmed opening act for several The Killers 2023 tour dates is acclaimed English guitarist and singer Johnny Marr. Marr is best known as the co-founder and guitarist of the influential alternative rock band The Smiths. Some sources have reported that Marr will open at least 8 shows on The Killers’ tour through the United Kingdom and Ireland in May 2023.
Marr has had great success as a solo artist since The Smiths broke up in 1987. His latest solo album Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 was released in 2022. Marr is an exciting opener who is sure to delight fans of The Killers and The Smiths with his iconic guitar riffs on classics like “This Charming Man” and “How Soon Is Now?” Along with his solo work, Marr’s performance will likely include some Smiths tunes that will have the crowd singing along.
Johnny Marr’s Influence on The Killers
Having Johnny Marr open for The Killers makes sense, as Marr’s work with The Smiths has been a major influence on the band. Lead singer Brandon Flowers has frequently talked about how important discovering The Smiths and Morrissey’s lyrics were when he was growing up. The two bands share stylistic similarities like catchy melodies and guitar riffs, as well as Flowers’ expressive vocal delivery that has hints of Morrissey’s theatrical and poetic singing style.
Seeing Johnny Marr live will be a special experience for fans of The Killers. Not only will they get to watch one of alternative rock’s greatest guitarists playing Smiths classics, but they’ll get to see one of The Killers biggest influences performing right before the headliner takes the stage.
Other Possible Openers
While Johnny Marr is confirmed for the UK/Ireland dates, the complete lineup of who’s opening for The Killers 2022 world tour has not yet been announced. Based on the venues and locations they are playing, there are some educated guesses about who some of the other supporting acts could be.
Alex Cameron
Alex Cameron is an Australian singer-songwriter who could likely open some of The Killers’ Australia and New Zealand tour stops in late 2022. He previously opened for the band in Australia in 2018. Cameron has toured with other major acts like Harry Styles and has released four acclaimed studio albums. His synth-based music featuring storytelling lyrics matches well sonically with The Killers. Fans down under would welcome seeing Cameron take the stage again before The Killers.
The War on Drugs
Philadelphian rock band The War on Drugs seems like they would be an ideal supporting act when The Killers hit North America in August and September 2023. Fronted by Adam Granduciel, The War on Drugs broke out with their 2014 album Lost in the Dream and have created a lush, atmospheric sound that melds indie rock and heartland rock. The band won a Grammy for their 2017 album A Deeper Understanding. Their anthemic tunes like “Red Eyes” fit right in with The Killers’ aesthetic and fanbase.
Tokyo Police Club
When The Killers make their way up to Canada in August 2023, Tokyo Police Club seems poised to open the shows. Also formed in the 2000s, Tokyo Police Club hail from Newmarket, Ontario and are known for upbeat indie rock songs like “Tessellate” and “Bambi.” Having them open The Killers’ Canadian concerts would be an ideal match to get the crowds on their feet.
Silversun Pickups
Silversun Pickups seem like another strong bet to open select US shows on The Killers’ 2023 tour. The LA alt rockers emerged in the 2005-2010 era when The Killers were dominating the charts. Silversun Pickups have a atmospheric, wall-of-sound style evident on hits like “Lazy Eye” and “Panic Switch” that would sound great leading into The Killers’ set. The two bands have some crossover appeal and have played major festivals like Lollapalooza together before.
Cat Power
For some of The Killers’ European dates, Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall) would make an intriguing opener. The indie singer-songwriter has been releasing her unique, melancholy alt-rock since the 90s. Her 2022 album Covers was well-received, so she could treat fans to some moving stripped-down versions of hit songs before The Killers take over with full production and all their hits. It would be a cool contrast of styles.
Why the Opener Matters
Speculating about who will open The Killers tour is part of the fun and excitement for dedicated fans leading up to the shows. Beyond just creating anticipation, the opener plays an important role in the overall concert experience. A good opening set can get the crowd engaged right away. It primes the audience and sets the tone for the headliner.
Many times the opener is a rising act that can gain valuable exposure playing in front of huge crowds. For fans, part of the enjoyment is discovering new bands they may not have heard before. Other times it is an established act that complements the headliner well like Johnny Marr. The opener is also a way for bands to return favors and showcase artists they respect and admire. A great show often depends on the details like crafting the right lineup from opener to headliner. That’s why fans eagerly await news of who will kick things off on tour.
Conclusion
While the full lineup is still to be determined, The Killers’ massive 2022-2023 world tour is guaranteed to be one of the hottest concert events. Johnny Marr is already confirmed to warm things up in the UK with his iconic guitar skills on classics like “This Charming Man.” Other possibilities based on tour geography include Alex Cameron, The War on Drugs, Tokyo Police Club, Silversun Pickups, and Cat Power. However, fans will have to anxiously wait for official announcements as the tour gets closer to know for sure who will take the stage first each night. No matter who ends up opening, audiences are in for an incredible evening celebrating the timeless hits and unmatched live energy of headliners The Killers.
| Date | City | Venue | Opener |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2023 | London, UK | Wembley Stadium | Johnny Marr |
| June 5, 2023 | Dublin, Ireland | Marlay Park | Johnny Marr |
| August 5, 2023 | Chicago, IL | Grant Park | TBA |
| August 15, 2023 | Toronto, ON | Budweiser Stage | TBA |
| September 10, 2023 | New York City, NY | Madison Square Garden | TBA |
Key Takeaways
- Johnny Marr is confirmed to open at least 8 shows on The Killers 2023 UK/Ireland tour dates
- Marr’s iconic guitar playing with The Smiths has been very influential on The Killers’ sound
- Other potential openers based on tour geography include Alex Cameron, The War on Drugs, Tokyo Police Club, Silversun Pickups, and Cat Power
- The opener plays an important role setting the mood and energizing crowds for the headliner
- Fans speculate who will open and discover new acts, adding to the overall fun and excitement around the tour
