Op-Ed: The A&O Blowout line-up should have been The Killers with Brandon Flowers Opening

By Brenden Towers

A fall quarter staple, A&O Blowout rarely disappoint with the acts it brings. Last year, Big Sean and MS MR almost brought the roof of Welsh-Ryan Arena down with their nearly transcendental performances. And who could forget 2013’s line-up featuring the incomparable Childish Gambino and a tour de force set by Grouplove? A&O has consistently shown that they have the finger on the pulse of what Northwestern students want to see live. This year, however, is a glaring exception. With no disrespect to Earl Sweatshirt and Icona Pop, I do not much care for their music or respect them as artist. There’s no question that a sizable portion of students agree with me. They don’t want to see a member of petulant rap group Odd Future and two Swedes at the Aragon Ballroom this Friday night; they want to see rock n’ roll legends The Killers and their lead singer Brandon Flowers.

I know what you’re thinking. Brenden, are The Killers simply too famous and legendary, to waste on a bunch of drunk toddlers wearing plaid shirts and crop tops? Maybe so, friend, but The Killers, in addition to being famous and legendary, are a band for the people. With mega hits like “Somebody Told Me” and “Read My Mind,” The Killers helped define a generation. There really is no better act to headline A&O Blowout. I also have some insider information that The Killers have been looking to get booked by colleges in an effort to remain relevant. Which is crazy because I really thought songs like “Mr. Brightside” “When You Were Young” would be unforgettable hits and not borderline ironic additions to college party playlists.

Now, at this point, you’re pretty much convinced that The Killers should headline. But even without that Supreme wearing hoodlum taking top billing, this line-up is far from perfect when we have those human Ikea dressers known as Icona Pop on the bill. Now, I’m all for female representation on the bill, but not when one of rock’s most dynamic singers released a criminally underappreciated solo album earlier this year. What a treat for any true Killers fan to see Brandon Flower’s perform The Desired Effect in its entirety right before he leads The Killers in a powerhouse three hour set. Nothing better.

Sounds like an all-time great A&O Blowout, eh? Well, I’m afraid those fat cats at A&O had stopped answering my emails and facetime request. It’s up to you all to get The Killers and Brandon Flowers the platform they need to propel themselves back to the top. Tweet the hashtag #Killers&Flower4Blowout to @aoproductions to have you voice heard.