For the thousands who flooded through the doors of Christchurch arena for the conclusion of The Killers' tour of Aotearoa, it wasn't just about the music.
The all-American rock band combined stunning visuals, Vegas glitz, dazzling lights, confetti cannons and pyrotechnics to dizzying effect as they deployed a string of their classic hits to a feverish crowd at a sold-out Christchurch Arena.
And while no audience member was given a chance to drum along with the band like Taylor from Wellington in Auckland did, it didn't hinder any of the atmosphere.
Warming up the crowd with 'My Own Soul's Warning'; from their 2020 album Imploding the Mirage, the show quickly erupted into a shower of colourful confetti and cheers from the assembled masses.
"Can we take a second to appreciate this moment," frontman Brandon Flowers told the crowd. "The pandemic may have kept us apart but tonight something stronger has brought us back together."
"What I am talking about is a little thing called rock'n'roll."
The fans at Christchurch arena represented the cross-generational appeal of the all-American band with a room full of swaying middle-agers, nostalgic millennials and hyped Gen Zs - I even saw a child sitting with earmuffs on as their parents rocked out.
I don't mean to make anyone feel old, but Flowers and guitarist Dave Keuning formed The Killers the same year I was born and they quickly entered the soundtrack of my youth, largely consisting of indie rock bands that cultivated the early 2000s - but their appeal was so universal as demonstrated by the fact they were a staple in my dad's CD collection.
In true showman fashion, Flowers' infectious energy fuelled the roaring crowd as he paraded around the stage.
He rarely stood still during the two-hour performance, even admitting he needs "more room" when performing live.
During the aural blitz, the band played hit after hit - the likes of 2004's 'Somebody Told Me' and 2006's 'When You Were Young' as well as 'Smile Like You Mean It' were mixed into material from their 2020 album Imploding the Mirage as they played 'Caution' and 'Fire in Bone.'
Christchurch may not yet have a big, fancy stadium, but it was the crowd's enthusiasm that once again demonstrated why bands should make the slightly longer trip further south on any tour itineraries.
But as the night started to wrap up, not even the band could have expected their tour in New Zealand would have ended with a literal bang.
Disaster struck when the crowd was left hanging after a minutes' long build-up to smash hit 'All These Things That I've Done.'
Flowers was readying the crowd ahead of the launch of one of their final songs when the lights went out - literally.
Just as the beat was about to drop there was a large bang followed by darkness.
Confused concertgoers were unsure if this was all a part of the act but as a haze of smoke and a burning smell quickly filled the arena, we quickly learned it wasn't. Crew members ran on stage with torches as the crowd mumbled, unsure what to do next - and if the band would return.
The slight fear that a fire would ignite in the arena quickly turned to disappointment as the lights came on, accompanied by boos from the crowd who thought the night may have been over.
As chants of "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" from the song that was halted built in the stadium, and with a ten minute wait, expecting the dreaded announcement the show was done, The Killers emerged, and were back in full force.
Strutting back on stage like nothing had happened, The Killers propelled into their final songs.
Ending the show with their iconic song 'Mr Brightside' (one which has been dubbed the 'white people anthem'), Christchurch gave the band the send-off they deserved as they sang every word back to Flowers and his troop of troubadors.
With drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr's skin-smashing solo wrapping things up, the screaming crowd left in ecstasy - despite the earlier issue.
It's safe to say The Killers killed it.
