I’m sure we’re all looking forward to the day when every live review doesn’t start by talking about how that particular show has been delayed by two years due to the pandemic blah, blah, blah. Well with the recent cancellation of Rage Against the Machine’s tour, My Chemical Romance’s Oakland show was blessedly the last to officially put the pandemic’s effect on live music behind us—at least at the Oakland Arena.
Openers Surfbort and Taking Back Sunday gave it their all as the capacity crowd filled the arena, but let’s face it, MCR’s much anticipated reunion is what sold every single one of those tickets. Dubbed the “Swarm” Tour in reference to early concept discussions where a band—nervous to be back on stage together—concocted an impractical concept of playing behind a swarm of flies. As the crew managed the changeover and internet-famous vacuum guy wielded his Dyson to a rousing response from the crowd, there was thankfully not an insect in sight. But as the crew dispersed, droning music inexplicably blasted through the PA as flies crowded the large LED screens.
When MCR finally took the stage to “The Foundations of Decay” it was clear that whatever stage fright that may have impacted the tour planning process was clearly gone after 6 months of steadily touring the globe. For the fans that had been paying attention, there was a lot of anticipation over how Gerard would be dressed. Would he come out in a tux, a dress, in a skeleton costume? Nope, nope, nope—Mr. Way bounded out on the stage dressed in aviator glasses, a wrinkled button-down shirt, and what appeared to be sweatpants! While not too exciting from a photographer perspective, it was clear that not one single person under the Oracle Arena rooftop gave … one … single … shit.
Highlighting the amount of time that had passed since the band had last toured, Mikey Way’s bass cabinets were decorated with his kids’ artwork. Other than that, it was as if time had stood still both on stage and off. The band sounded great as they tore through a hefty slab of The Black Parade and Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge and the crowd sang along at the top of their lungs.
Apparently, every day is World Emo Day when My Chemical Romance is in town.
TAKING BACK SUNDAY
SURFBORT
SETLIST
The Foundations of Decay
Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
Give ‘Em Hell, Kid
Skylines and Turnstiles
The World Is Ugly
Thank You for the Venom
It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It’s a Fucking Deathwish
Planetary (GO!)
Boy Division
Welcome to the Black Parade
Teenagers
Cemetery Drive
Vampires Will Never Hurt You
S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W
Mama
I’m Not Okay (I Promise)
Famous Last Words
Sleep
Helena
Happy Birthday (Dedicated to “Big Worm”, the band’s bodyguard)
The Kids From Yesterday
