Brandon Flowers talks new solo and Killers music – and the power of Springsteen and Oasis
Brandon Flowers has told NME about his plans for new solo albums and what to expect next from The Killers – as well as opening up about the power of Bruce Springsteen and Oasis. Watch our full video interview above.
On a night where the likes of U2, Self Esteem and Robbie Williams were also honoured, the Killers frontman was in London to receive the Special International Award at The Ivors 2025 – following an emotional tribute from his hero, The Boss himself.
“About half of [my speech] was attributed towards him, but it meant a lot to me and it meant a lot to him that he would come and honour me with this,” Flowers told NME shortly after. “I mean, it’s almost too much. I’m an emotional guy and I know that this is not really the crowd to let that cut loose, so I was trying to keep myself together.”
Asked if he ever imagined that he’d be back in the capital to receive an honour like this, over 22 years on from The Killers’ humble first visit to the UK, Flowers replied: “It’s been a magical thing. I feel it was yesterday. It was 2003, we were staying at The Columbia, like every young band should at that time. We were playing these venues, and there were pictures of Blur on the wall and Oasis and Suede and things like that. That trip was almost enough; it was amazing.
“It has just gotten better and better and better, and I’m genuinely flabbergasted, but I also expected it at the same time – somewhere in between there.”
Check out the rest of our interview with Flowers below, where he tells us about the impact of the UK, if we’ll see him at any Oasis reunion shows, plans for two new solo records, and huge ambitions for what’s next from The Killers.
NME: Hello Brandon. What can you tell us about the importance of the UK in the story of The Killers’ success and in your DNA as a songwriter?
Brandon Flowers: “It’s always there. Even when I’m writing about the desert or about rural Utah, there’s still something that you can recognise in my writing. It just can’t be extracted – it’s part of who I am, it’s the music that I fell in love with, it’s foundational for me. I’m so grateful for it. I’m in a peculiar position where they say, ‘Don’t meet your heroes’, but I’ve gotten to meet so many of them and they’ve all been beautiful to me.”
You once said that ‘Mr Brightside’ was written in response to ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’. Have you ever met the Gallaghers?
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to tell which side I’m on… I love them both! Neither of them have said anything too degrading about The Killers. We’ve hung out with Liam a little bit and Noel a little bit. What they have contributed to the world is incredible and it’s amazing to see them back together.”
Are you on the guestlist for the Oasis reunion tour?
“I’ll be out there somewhere.”
What’s next? When we last spoke, you revealed plans for a solo album before new Killers music…
“The next thing we’re going to get is a Brandon Flowers record, unfortunately! It’s so good.”
Where does it take things from ‘The Desired Effect’?
“It’s actually a step backwards. It’s more in the ‘Flamingo’ direction. I made two South West records, if you want to know the truth. One is a romantic South West record, and the other is a narrative South West record which picks up where [The Killers’ 2021 album] ‘Pressure Machine’ left off.
“I’m thrilled about both of them, and they’ll both come out before the next Killers record – but I’m thrilled about the next Killers record.”
Lyrically, what’s inspiring you at the moment?
“That’s another reason why Bruce is so important to me – it’s that he gave me the permission to write about things that I actually know about and experiences that I’ve actually witnessed, that I’ve lived. There’s something powerful about that. When people hear it, it doesn’t matter where they are, they get it and they pick up the heart and the soul from it. Those are the things that I’m able to tap into.”
What about the next Killers record? Does it pick up from the chrome-plated sound of ‘Boy’ and the more recent singles?
“No, that was that. I don’t know what exactly it’s going to be; it’s a little too early to say, but we will not put it out unless it is the best. We’ve already discussed it. It’s gotta be so good or it’s not worth it.”
Will that be with all four members and larger than life?
“All four members. Yes, that’s right.”
Is the ‘Hot Fuss’ anniversary tour ever coming to the UK?
“No, I’m sorry!”
Why do you hate us, Brandon?
“No, I don’t! We did 13 shows and I guarantee you that half of the crowd was British. I’m sorry that it was expensive but it was probably worth it because those were fun shows.”
What are you going to do when you leave this room? Hang out with Bono, Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Williams?
“I’ve got an invite, maybe I’ll hang out with Bono. We’ll see what happens.”
Check out the full list of winners from The Ivors 2025 here.
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Andrew Trendell
NME
