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The 02 Arena is heaving. 20,000 members of My Chemical Romance’s Black Parade are streaming through the doors for their biggest headline show to date. With just three fifths of the band remaining after Frank and Bob’s problems the MCR train is in danger of being derailed. Matt Cortez, the replacement guitar for Frank should be used to this of course having done 6 months on the bass guitar while Mikey Way took time off, but the mystery drummer simply known as ‘Pete’ must be a little nervous as MCR take the stage.
It is not until they pound out ‘Dead!’ shortly into the set that they really start to go through the gears. Having used it as their set opener for their previous Black Parade tours it is understandable they want to mix it up somewhat but with a track which literally chugs its way out of the blocks why change it? Gerard appears to have hit his pomp as he shouts “You’re dead!” to an ecstatic audience. The more shows he performs, the more he feels like Freddy Mercury with an emo slant. His black fuzzy hair, smart shirt and stamping boot become more camp with every note and yet define him as a performer.
By this stage the term “seating tickets” is becoming somewhat loose as fans bounce from the front row to the nosebleed seats especially as they launch into ‘I’m Not OK’ after the flame machines work overtime to close off ‘Dead!’. Their stand-out tracks remain from previous tours. ‘Mama’ is a wailing sing-along with a killer riff which sparks more pyro action while the opening piano notes of ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ remain spine tingling. The atmosphere is not as intense as their club tour of 2006 but the sense of spectacle is heightened with ample stage space for Gerard to leap and bound around.
‘Teenagers’ has the greatest response of all tonight. It seems the fans have taken it to their hearts and respond in kind with a truly dedicated chorus of “Teenagers scare the living shit out of me!” Older tracks like ‘Helena’ and ‘Give ‘em Hell Kid’ pack a punch but it is the Black Parade material which remains dominant on the set list and crowd response.
They close with an acoustic ‘Cancer’ and ‘Famous Last Words’. The latter has become an important part of their set having been released as a single earlier this year. It is a fitting finale to My Chemical Romance’s year in the UK which has consisted of more shows than many British bands pull off in their own country in 12 months. For MCR it is another giant step forward in the country which has adopted them as their own.
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- Nice review but barely did them justice. I’m 49 years old and have seen the likes of Queen, Pink Floyd and many others and these guys really are right up there. From the upbeat rock numbers to the acoustic finish of cancer and desert song, which moved many a grown man (myself included!) to tears, they were very special. The average age of fans at their gigs grows with every appearance and legendary status surely awaits.
- I agree totally! I’ve seen some of the greats as far as performances go but these guys blew them away. Gerard Way can really sing! the best concert i’ve been to ever. I took my 12 year old to her first concert and I ended up with no voice and clutching a t shirt and i’m 38!
- Amazing gig!
- Went with 13 year old daughter having taken her to the wembley arena gig early this year to see how mixing with muse and bon jovi had affected the band!! Ive been to concerts for 36 years and this was in my top five (that includes who.floyd.Led zep at earls court too long ago etc).They were,hate to use the word,awesome.Im glad no ones mentioned the support band,who I wont dignify with thier name,10 years together and never headlined here ??Thats cause they are c**p.
- i was there it was my first concert and thinkin bout it now makes me feel so happy mcr will rock in my mindf till i die long live mcr i got a drummber jacket it ****ing rocks \\...../ \\...../
» View all 9 comments~ by Tom Livermore 11/19/2007 Report
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