“There’s this band that I think should open this arena and I happen to be the singer of that band,” recounted Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers to the sold out audience of the T-Mobile Arena on April 6, 2016. According to Flowers, telling the tale of how the band landed the gig, ideas for the opening of the impressive new venue included the Dixie Chicks and a Floyd Mayweather something-or-other. It proved to be wise decision to debut with Las Vegas’s premier modern rock outfit, as there was not an empty seat in the house, with both #TheKillers and #TMobileArena trending on Twitter the day of the show.

Showing off the capabilities of the monumental new arena, The Killers blazed through all of their signature hits with an eye-popping display of neon lights and major lasers, thanks to the work of visual director Steven Douglas. The local presence was thick, as you’d randomly hear people shouting out whichever Killer they knew personally (“Vanuuuuccciiiiii!”) and singing along to each song in perfect harmony like a 70s Coke ad.

The show played like a love letter to Las Vegas, with its visual element conjuring images of slot machines and purple mountain majesties. As the performance progressed, The Killers respectfully paid tribute to Vegas legends that came before and after, with each Wayne Newton, Blue Man Group and Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds joining them on stage.

Veteran Vegas photographer Erik Kabik was on hand to capture the band in its element, compiling striking images of this classy, celebratory opening to a new Strip staple. Quite a hot fuss. — Mike Pizzo, Managing Editor, Cuepoint