I'D forgotten how good The Killers are.

I lost track of them not long after the Sam's Town era and mentally filed them away as one of those bands I get excited to hear on the radio but rarely bother to seek out otherwise.

But then they announced a return to Newcastle and I couldn't resist seeing them, memories of their 2009 tour, in all of its glittering splendour rushing back.

It was a sold out crowd that joined me at the Metro Radio Arena on Friday, where even the nosebleed seats could do little to dampen the energy and extravagance of a Killers show in full pomp.

The band hail from Las Vegas, where showmanship apparently runs in the blood. From the off, the concert was an explosion of colour and light, elaborate video backdrops and what she dubbed 'sparkle curtains' prompting my friend to declare excitedly that this was a "proper gig".

And so it was - any audience looking to be entertained with arena theatrics is in very safe hands with The Killers and their love of glitz, as embodied in frontman Brandon Flowers and his encore-stealing gold suit.

The lively stage show complemented a set that thundered through an impressively varied catalogue of hits, with all the favourites represented - from Mr Brightside to Human and Somebody Told Me.

A welcome Joy Division cover – Shadowplay - that brought out the goth in me (but admittedly sent some scuttling for the bar) was nestled at the heart of the band’s own chart-toppers, along with a nod to North-East legend Mark Knopfler in the form of Dire Straits' Romeo and Juliet. 

The Killers have never been afraid to experiment stylistically and Friday's genre-hopping performance, complete with exceptional musicianship and those unmistakable vocals, proved that they are still a must-see live band.