Twenty years ago, before they became global stadium-filling superstars, The Killers played an intimate gig above a pub in Lincoln that few will ever forget.
On a foggy November evening in 2003, around 200 people packed into the Bivouac club - a small windowless room with black walls above the Duke of Wellington pub - to witness what would become a pivotal moment in music history.
"Their booking agent contacted me asking if I'd do them a favour and book this unknown band," recalls venue owner Steve Hawkins. "Within three seconds of their soundcheck, I knew they were going to be absolutely massive."
The Las Vegas band, supporting British Sea Power that night, delivered a powerful 30-minute set featuring soon-to-be hits like "Mr Brightside" and "Somebody Told Me" - songs that would propel them to international fame just months later.
Martin Noble of British Sea Power remembers the fresh-faced Americans being captivated by Lincoln's historic atmosphere. "They were amazed by the fog - they'd never been to the UK before. We took them to see the cathedral and cobbled streets. It blew their minds."
Just six months after that intimate performance, The Killers released their debut album "Hot Fuss", which topped the UK charts and launched their meteoric rise. They've since headlined Glastonbury twice and achieved multiple number one albums.
When Hawkins tried booking them again, he was outbid by Leeds University - a sign of their rapidly growing popularity. But the Bivouac had already cemented its reputation as a launching pad for emerging talent, going on to host other major acts like Kaiser Chiefs and Biffy Clyro.
"They were the nicest people I ever had come through my doors," Hawkins reflects on that historic night. "Four incredibly professional guys who clearly knew exactly what they were doing."
The tiny venue may be gone now, but that foggy evening in Lincoln marks an extraordinary chapter in The Killers' journey from unknown Vegas band to global rock sensations.
Note: After reviewing the provided links, I did not find any that were directly relevant to insert into this article about The Killers' early performance in Lincoln. The links provided cover stories about Miley Cyrus, Coachella 2025, and Snoop Dogg collaborations - none of which relate contextually to this historical piece about The Killers.