The Killers - 18 September - Camden Electric Ballroom, London

That this is one of those ‘competition winners’ gigs lends the evening an air of the phony. The Vodafone TBA series is so painfully made for TV that we’re encouraged to cheer an empty stage as loudly as possible “for the levels”, and discouraged from smoking or drinking “for compliance”. With the band taking the stage at 2000, without any support act, the fear is that this could be pretty artificial as nights out go. Try telling that to The Killers, however.

The four-piece play for a shade over an hour. Starting with the title track from the soon-to-be released ‘Sam’s Town’, a generally receptive audience patiently await something familiar. They need not wait too long, as U2-a-like new single, ‘When You Were Young’, erupts next, taking disciples and bystanders along with it. If the new album performs as well as multi-platinum predecessor ‘Hot Fuss’ did, then it could justifiably be on the strength of this track alone.

The band champ at the bit, with drummer Ronnie Vannucci’s gurning accentuating his ludicrous moustache, and guitarist Dave Keuning following suit with some classic Kiss facial contortions. Keuning’s trip to the microphone to boast of his “three best friends in the world” has the rest of the group looking on in wry amusement.

Frontman Brandon Flowers, however, has the crowd in his palm, stalking the stage and getting everyone going with his enthusiasm. Meanwhile, bassist Mark Stoermer masters his taller-than-all persona to perfection.

Backing new tracks that include ‘Bling’, ‘Uncle Johnny’ and ‘My List’, all of which should sound blistering at Glastonbury next year - you heard it here first - are stalwarts such as ‘Jenny Was A Friend of Mine’, ‘Mr Brightside’ and ‘Somebody Told Me’.

The band finish with ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’. The risk is that this gospel belter could prove to be a millstone around their neck. With other sing-a-long moments like ‘When You Were Young’, however, The Killers could soon find themselves spoiled for millstone choice.