The Killers delivered an effortlessly likeable and energetic headline set at Glastonbury Festival this evening.

The band, who have been together since 2001, gave a wonderfully showy and glamorous performance - complete with their signature flair.

As a special treat, the group paid homage to their special relationship with the UK and our country's musical history - bringing out the Pet Shop Boys and The Smiths' Johnny Marr in the second half.

Brandon Flowers is the band's charismatic frontman, who founded the group with lead guitarist Dave Keuning.

Keuning no longer tours with the group, so performing this evening was Ted Sablay who has been The Killers' touring guitarist since 2017.

Completing the line-up is bassist Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr, all of whom are impeccably talented and infectiously enthusiastic musicians.

Pomp and circumstance

Hailing from the glitzy streets of Las Vegas, showmanship is written into the band's DNA, and tonight was no exception.

From the sharp, shiny outfit choices to their extensive use of LEDs, The Killers used every opportunity to show off visually.

The group did not shy away from large-scale effects and tricks

This paired beautifully with Brandon Flowers's signature flamboyance on stage.

Flowers owned every inch of the Pyramid Stage, with his precise and knowingly cocky footwork, driving the crowd wild.

Nowhere was this better exemplified than during the lead single from their latest album Wonderful Wonderful.

Flowers took every opportunity to play

As Flowers began singing The Man he donned a cowboy hat, slowly introducing the song before an array of fireworks and confetti were released to the delight of the crowd.

It is particularly with their newer material from their 2017 album that you can see why people compare Flowers and The Killers to Freddie Mercury and Queen.

There is the same flourish and flair in their performances, which makes Flowers a magnetic frontman and shows why the band is still going strong 18 years into their career.

Sure, Flowers doesn't have a faultless voice - often relying on speak-singing throughout the set.

Brandon Flowers commanded the stage throughout

But this has always been the 38-year-old's style, the cracks and strains in his vocals are never hidden on studio tracks - which is arguably refreshing in a world which now heavily relies on autotune.

Special guests

The Killers revealed before taking to the stage that they wouldn't be alone during their mammoth set.

Their first guests were the Pet Shop Boys, who stunned the audience with their duet of Always on My Mind.

Brandon Flowers with Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys' quintessentially British synth-pop sound gelled instantly with The Killers, easily becoming one of the highlights of the evening.

The groups then performed a remix of The Killers' Human, with Neil Tennant taking on swathes of the vocals - in one of the most perfect collaborations of the weekend.

Flowers told the audience: "They always say never meet your heroes, but that went pretty well."

Brandon Flowers duetting with Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys

He then introduced his next special guest:

"Now I'm going to double down. Ladies and gentlemen, guitar hero: Johnny f*cking Marr."

Flowers then launched into the Smiths' classic Charming Man, accompanied by Johnny Marr in another perfect collaboration.

Marr playing the guitar in their second performance of Mr Brightside has to be a Glastonbury highlight for me.

Brandon Flowers and Johnny Marr of The Smiths

Away from the music being incredible, Flowers was clearly awestruck as he performed alongside his self-proclaimed heroes.

This was one of the most endearing moments, as Flowers came across truly earnest in his appreciation for these music icons on stage with him.

As brilliant now as ever

The Killers drew huge crowds for their headline slot

The band are now all in their late 30s and early to mid 40s, a far cry from the teenage Flowers who founded the group in 2001.

But while lesser groups may be well past their prime, if anything their set this evening showed how much The Killers have grown as a band.

For many of us, some of the tracks may have felt like nostalgic throwbacks to adolescent angst and teenage parties.

Flowers is as much of a star in 2019 as he was with the band's first success in 2003

But there was a suitable blend of old and newer tracks, which showed not only how much the group's sound has shifted, but also how skilled they continue to be.

From Spaceman to Dustland Fairytale, their time on the Pyramid Stage was grounded in a confidence they have earned over their near two decades in the industry.

The ultimate tease

For anyone who has been to a party, nightclub, or generally a part of modern society since 2003 - Mr Brightside is canon.

It was the band's debut single, from their debut studio album and - apart from being their most popular song as a band - it continues to be one of the most popular songs in modern music history.

It perhaps came as a surprise when Flowers walked up to a keyboard and innocently played the opening few notes, only 20 minutes into their set.

But with a song as highly anticipated as Mr Brightside, it made no sense to save it until the end.

This is the first time the band have headlined the festival since their 2007 appearance, which was marred by technical issues and sound difficulties

So after those first few notes, Flowers looked up to the audience and earnestly asked: "Are we on the same page?"

He returned to the keyboard, before asking once more: "Are we speaking the same language or what?"

Met with rapturous applause, the band went on to deliver their best track - complete with over 100,000 people singing alongside them.

This wasn't the only moment the group kept fans waiting.

Shortly before launching into All These Things That I've Done the group held a continuous note for what felt like several minutes, as Flowers soaked up the atmosphere and the crowd remained utterly gripped.

A second chance

The Killers first headlined Glastonbury in 2007, in between releasing their second and third studio albums - Sam's Town and Day & Age.

But their Glasto debut was marred by sound issues and unforeseen technical restrictions.

They went on to describe this as one of the biggest disappointments of their career.

Tonight was their second chance to conquer Glastonbury once and for all.

It's safe to say they absolutely nailed it, with precision and flair underpinning their set.

Brandon Flowers and special guest: Johnny Marr of The Smiths

The band have always had a huge following in the UK, with BBC Radio 1 premiering Mr Brightside in 2003.

They began touring London and the UK before they had even been signed in the US, meaning their relationship with their British fans has always been meaningful.

In fact the first time Flowers's sons saw the band perform was in London's Hyde Park in 2017.

The group's special affinity with the UK certainly added to the disappointment they felt over their first Glastonbury headline.

But now, 12 years later, The Killers delivered the ultimate, nostalgic treat in what should be a career highlight for the American stars.