There's no doubting the influence of all things Manchester on US rockers The Killers.

At the second of their two rescheduled gigs at the Manchester Arena here this week, they were joined on stage by New Order frontman Bernard Sumner, after telling the crowds of the very unique influence the Manc band have had on them.

Killers frontman Brandon Flowers told the crowds: “We took our name from a New Order video,” before jokily adding with a wry smile: “I think they’re from here?”

He went on: “And it was from this song called Crystal. We’re going to play it for you tonight.

“With the illustrious and praiseworthy sharer from Manchester, Bernard Sumner.”

Bernard, pronounced rather poshly as “Ber-Nard” by Brandon, then headed onto stage, bizarrely announcing himself saying: “My name is Earl.”

The pair performed a stonking version of Crystal, at an epic six minutes long, to the delight of the crowds. Of course, Brandon and his Las Vegas bandmates have never hidden their love for all things New Order.

At the earlier, ill-fated gig at the Manchester Arena last November, he had even said how disappointed he was to have to finish the gig early due to his sore throat – as New Order bass legend Peter Hook was in the crowds.

The US rockers have also recorded a cover version of Joy Division’s Shadowplay for the soundtrack to the biopic Control in 2007, which they have been performing on tour.

Alas, I hear that Hooky was not in the crowds for Monday night’s gig to see his estranged bandmate join Brandon on stage.

However The Killers’ Manchester love-in had started at Sunday night’s gig, when the band had performed a cover of The Smiths’ There is A Light That Never Goes Out.

Flowers said: “Manchester has been our musical home for as long as we can remember.”

The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr certainly approved of the cover – he told radio station Xfm this morning: “That’s interesting, quite sweet of him, that’s a good one.”