Episode Description
Brandon Flowers keeps finding ways to surprise us.
Derek and Jimmy are back to talk about Brandon's recent Red Butte show in Salt Lake City, and once again, what they thought they knew about the show went completely out the window.
From standing in the blazing Utah sun for hours just to get into the venue, to seeing a massive crowd of Killers and Brandon Flowers fans, the Red Butte experience was unlike the intimate State Room shows that came before it.
But then Brandon brought his son onstage to perform an Oasis song.
And just when everyone thought that was the big surprise of the night, Brandon followed it up with something almost nobody expected:
Mr. Brightside.
The guys talk about the significance of Brandon performing the Killers classic during his solo show, the incredible three-song stretch that followed, and why hearing songs like Lonely Town, Read My Mind and An American Dream live has become such a special part of the Thrasher era.
They also discuss Brandon reconnecting with childhood friends from Nephi and bringing them backstage, the appearance of Kimball Frank, new Thrasher merchandise, the growing Brandon Flowers fanbase in Utah and the unexpected ways these shows continue to connect back to Nephi.
Then it's off to The Tonight Show, where Brandon performed An American Dream for a national television audience.
Derek and Jimmy break down the interview, the full version available online, the decision to perform American Dream, and why Brandon refusing to change some of the song's lyrics made the performance even more powerful.
Plus, the guys look ahead to the rest of the tour, speculate about possible special guests in Vegas and the UK, talk about the upcoming Romance album, and make a pretty serious offer to anyone who can convince Brandon Flowers to come on the Lonely Town podcast.
If you can make it happen, Derek promises you a personalized tour of Nephi.
He's even throwing in a Tiger's Blood snow cone.
Show Notes
🌹 Red Butte
Derek and Jimmy recap Brandon Flowers' Red Butte show in Salt Lake City.
They talk about:
- The massive line outside the venue
- Waiting in the Utah heat
- The hike from the parking area
- Finding a spot on the lawn
- The pros and cons of general admission
- Whether VIP/early-entry options are worth paying for
- Why Derek and Jimmy are getting too old to spend six hours fighting for the barricade
🎸 Kimball Frank
Kimball Frank opened the show, giving Derek and Jimmy another unexpected connection to the local music scene.
They talk about discovering his music, his connection to Robbie and Stewart, his performance, and why you should check out his music.
👦 Brandon Brings His Son Onstage
One of the biggest surprises of the night came when Brandon brought his son onstage to perform an Oasis song.
The guys discuss how unexpected the moment was, Brandon talking about his first public singing experience, and how well his son handled the pressure of performing in front of thousands of people.
🔥 Mr. Brightside
Then came the moment nobody saw coming.
Brandon performed Mr. Brightside during his solo show.
Derek and Jimmy talk about why the song was such a huge surprise, especially because Brandon doesn't normally perform it during his solo shows.
🌙 Lonely Town, Read My Mind & An American Dream
The show continued with a run of songs that made the night especially memorable.
The guys discuss hearing:
- Lonely Town
- Read My Mind
- An American Dream
They also talk about how special it has been to hear some of Brandon's older solo songs during this tour—songs that may disappear from the set once The Killers return with new music.
🏠 Brandon's Nephi Friends
One of the coolest stories surrounding the Red Butte show happened before Brandon even took the stage.
Brandon had reached out to some of his old friends from his childhood years in Nephi and invited them to the show.
Some of those friends were even brought backstage.
Derek and Jimmy discuss why that was such a meaningful gesture and what it says about Brandon remembering where he came from.
🇺🇸 Utah, Nephi & Brandon's Connection With the Crowd
The Red Butte audience was different from many of Brandon's other shows.
Derek and Jimmy talk about how Brandon could reference things from his upbringing, family and Utah culture and know that the audience understood exactly what he was talking about.
📺 The Tonight Show
Brandon Flowers made an appearance on The Tonight Show and performed An American Dream.
Derek and Jimmy discuss:
- Brandon's interview
- The version of the interview posted online
- The parts that didn't make the televised broadcast
- Brandon's personality during the interview
- The full performance of American Dream
- Why performing that particular song on national television was such a bold choice
🎤 American Dream & The Lyrics
The guys talk about Brandon performing the song exactly as written, including some of the more controversial lyrics.
They compare the moment to artists like Johnny Cash and Jamey Johnson refusing to change lyrics that are important to the story they're telling.
💿 Romance
Brandon has also hinted at his upcoming Romance album.
Derek and Jimmy discuss what they've heard so far and Brandon's comments suggesting that the album may have more of a Red Ground-type sound.
🇬🇧 What's Next?
The tour continues, with upcoming shows in places including the UK and Las Vegas.
The guys speculate about possible special guests and whether some of the surprises Brandon has introduced during this tour might continue.
🎙️ Can You Get Brandon Flowers on Lonely Town?
Derek makes the offer official:
If someone can get Brandon Flowers to acknowledge the podcast and ultimately come on Lonely Town, Derek will personally give that person a tour of Nephi.
And yes, there will be a Tiger's Blood snow cone involved.
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Have a question, story, or want to contribute? Reach out—we'd love to hear from you.
Produced & Edited by Derek Everitt
