The Killers rock the Albert Hall

Sarah Jane Griffiths
Newsbeat entertainment report, Royal Albert Hall

Brandon Flowers thanked the crowd at the Albert Hall

The Killers made their live return with a one-off Radio 1 gig at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday which was also broadcast live on the station.

The Las Vegas four-piece previewed tracks from their new album Day and Age alongside classics like Mr Brightside and Smile Like You Mean It.

Frontman Brandon Flowers told the crowd: "It all started for us here in London - we're very grateful."

Day and Age is released on 25 November and in the UK on 24 November.

From the moment the band walked onto the stage - which was decorated with fairy lights and palm trees - the crowd were on their feet.

Most of them didn't sit down until they were on the train home either.

Listen to Radio 1 Presents... The Killers

The band opened with their current single Human to deafening cheers, with Brandon Flowers strutting around the stage in a black military-style coat with big gold fringing.

Twenty-four-year-old Adam Berry from Bexleyheath was impressed: "Fantastic, as always," he said.

The band's new single Human had it's first play on Zane Lowe's show

"The showmanship, the performance, the lyrics, the meaning behind the lyrics… all you can ask for in a band."

The Killers soon moved into classic territory with songs including For Reasons Unknown, Smile Like You Mean It and Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine. Then Brandon jumped up onto the speakers at the front of the stage for the first time that evening.

Danny Robinson and Clare Bonser, 25, from Manchester, said they could almost touch him.

"Its amazing, I've never been here before," said Danny.

"I can't believe how good it is for a gig, especially standing, as it's such a small area. You can get right to the front."

"At one point Brandon came over and we were going to jump on him," joked Clare.

The band cranked up the pace even more with Somebody Told Me, before Brandon introduced a few slower tunes to the crowd.

For most fans it was the first time they'd heard new tracks Losing Touch and Spaceman live.

An acoustic version of Sam's Town saw Brandon take the weight off his feet to tinker on a piano.

For many fans chatting to Newsbeat after the gig - admittedly mostly female - the singer was the main attraction.

There were even tears. Seventeen year-old Marly Hanson from Mill Hill in London was a little overwhelmed according to her friend Eleanor Woolfson: "She cried when Brandon came on."

Tracklist Human For Reasons Unknown Smile Like You Mean It Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine Somebody Told Me Sweet Talk Losing Touch Spaceman Sam's Town (acoustic) Read My Mind Joy Ride Bones Shadowplay Mr Brightside Neon Tiger All These Things That I've Done When You Were Young

But Marly said things were fine: "Every time I see them I cry - Brandon's gorgeous! He just looks cool."

It wasn't just the ladies full of admiration either.

Martin Beard, 22, from Essex, said: "I don't know what it is, I just love them. Brandon was on top form tonight. Superb."

While Will Jennings, 28, and Rob Gratwicks, 20, from Reading, had gone a step further and were sporting fake moustaches in his honour.

"We do it for every Killers gig - it's been a beautiful moment of my life really, whenever we get to these special gigs.

"Got to wear the tache's when you come to the Killers gigs. Top notch. Just a great rock and roll gig."

The band left the stage but the fairy lights were still twinkling so the crowd weren't fooled. They were ready for the band's triple encore - Neon Tiger, All These Things That I've Done and When You Were Young.

After the gig 17 year-old fans Leigh Serowka and Natalie Gannon were waiting by the stage door for a glimpse of their hero.

They had their black eyeliner out ready in the hope Brandon would sign their bodies.

Some fans were lucky enough to take home a souvenir, like 22 year-old James Wagstaff from Harlow in Essex who caught one of drummer Ronnie Vannucci's drumsticks.

He said: "I lost my phone but I got a drumstick so I'm happy. Mr Brightside and a drumstick - that's all that matters really."

Read: 'We love playing Mr Brightside'