Concert Review: The Kills Crush it at Union Transfer

Openers Kim and the Created also made an impression with a lively set.

By Chris Sikich· 4/14/2016, 2:39 p.m.

The Kills [Photo by Chris Sikich]

Led by the brilliant pairing of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, The Kills delivered a solid set of punk blues to a sold out Union Transfer on Monday.

With their fifth record, Ash & Ice, not due till June, they blasted through a 16-song set of old and brand new — starting with the title track to 2005’s No Wow. Brand new songs like “Heart of a Dog” fit in nicely alongside other works like main set closer “Monkey 23.” Performers that sure know how to dazzle with the minimal of voice, guitar and percussion, The Kills are exhilarating.

Openers Kim and The Created are punk with a heavy quotient of excess. Led by the fierce energy of Kim House, the band unspooled a set of angst and showmanship. Complete with a guitar adorned with lights and the desire to stand over the photo pit, House brought the music as close to the audience as possible and even crowd-surfed and sung in the crowd later in the set.