The 'Young and Loaded' Killjoys gathered in Birmingham to see My Chemical Romance detonate the LG Arena on the 13th FebruaryDie-hard fans queued for hours in the cold and wet weather conditions for a chance at being on the barrier at the second date of My Chemical Romance’s British leg of the tour.
After giving their UK fans three taster dates late last year, My Chemical Romance returned for their World Contamination tour, causing a riot at the LG Arena in Birmingham.
The first support of the evening were the Derby rock trio, Lostalone. The band score big when American bands tour the United Kingdom, having supported both Paramore and 30 Seconds to Mars in the past. Being the first support most of the audience remained frozen in their place as they were still adjusting to getting into the arena. Despite this, the band did not lack in their performance. The music was ‘technically’ amazing, the riffs and solos performed by lead singer Steven Battelle were astounding, blasting through the speaker with a remarkable effect; Battelle’s guitar playing was backed up and enhanced by bass guitarist Alan Williamson, and drummer Mark Gibson. The trio’s chemistry was reflected through their incredible instrumentals. Lyrically, Lostalone’s songs all had a similar sound and as a result it was hard to differentiate between them. Regardless of this Lostalone projected enthusiasm into the arena, setting the crowd up for the second support.
The second, and more mental, support were The Blackout. The insane post-hard core/hard rock band from Merthyr, Wales, did not hesitate to give a shot of energy straight into the veins of every single My Chemical Romance fan seated or standing. They started their set by singing/screaming their ‘Best in Town’ track ‘STFUppercut’; this high energy song seemed to get the crowd’s blood pumping as pushing and moshing started on the arena floor, shortly followed by Sean Smith leaping from the barrier into a sea of hands, frantically trying to grab any part of the Welsh singer. Gavin Butler performed the softer rock lyrics with Sean Smith screaming, or singing into a special effects microphone, as heard in their new single ‘Higher and Higher’, which was played for, and participated in by, the Birmingham audience. The single is from the band’s up-coming album ‘Hope’ which will be released in April. The Blackout’s sound, though heavier than Lostalone’s inspired movement and dancing in a lethargic audience. The combination of Sean’s humour, during the set he shot himself in the head and fell flat on his back on stage, Gavin’s powerful vocals and the rest of the band’s musical talents made The Blackout a perfect support band, providing the crowd with a taste of what they were going to receive from My Chemical Romance.
Suspense was kept behind a black curtain; eager fans starting chants of ‘M-C-R’ as images of the band were projected onto the two large screens either side of the stage. When the moment of ‘Look Alive Sunshine…’ arrived, a riot of mainly female audience members erupted, each one screeching pushing forward in a desperate need to get to the barrier. After the Dr Death Defying introduction the curtain fell to the floor revealing the band’s silhouettes seen amongst an array of colourful lighting. Once criticized for being too dark, My Chemical Romance proved that those days of obscurity were far behind them.
Front man Gerard Way, sporting his Killjoy red hair colour, gave an inspirational vocal performance. He mixed the soft ballad notes of slow songs such as ‘Cancer’ with the heavier rock tracks such as ‘Vampires will never hurt you’. Gerard flirtatiously played with the predominantly female audience by emphasizing thrusting dance moves, licking his hand, blowing kisses and acting slightly risqué during the questionable noises in the Danger Days track ‘DESTROYA’; all of these actions being gratefully received by a mass of screaming females.
The band’s bassist Mikey Way failed to break a smile during the set, taking a broody stance for the whole of the show. Guitarist Frank Iero seemed to be back to his usual on-stage antics, jamming with a passion and appreciation for his art and talent. Ray Toro was able to shred insane guitar solos without moving an inch, however his facial expression of a fixed smile conveyed his joy at being back doing what he is passionate about after the large break the band took between albums. New drummer Michael
The first support of the evening were the Derby rock trio, Lostalone. The band score big when American bands tour the United Kingdom, having supported both Paramore and 30 Seconds to Mars in the past. Being the first support most of the audience remained frozen in their place as they were still adjusting to getting into the arena. Despite this, the band did not lack in their performance. The music was ‘technically’ amazing, the riffs and solos performed by lead singer Steven Battelle were astounding, blasting through the speaker with a remarkable effect; Battelle’s guitar playing was backed up and enhanced by bass guitarist Alan Williamson, and drummer Mark Gibson. The trio’s chemistry was reflected through their incredible instrumentals. Lyrically, Lostalone’s songs all had a similar sound and as a result it was hard to differentiate between them. Regardless of this Lostalone projected enthusiasm into the arena, setting the crowd up for the second support.
The second, and more mental, support were The Blackout. The insane post-hard core/hard rock band from Merthyr, Wales, did not hesitate to give a shot of energy straight into the veins of every single My Chemical Romance fan seated or standing. They started their set by singing/screaming their ‘Best in Town’ track ‘STFUppercut’; this high energy song seemed to get the crowd’s blood pumping as pushing and moshing started on the arena floor, shortly followed by Sean Smith leaping from the barrier into a sea of hands, frantically trying to grab any part of the Welsh singer. Gavin Butler performed the softer rock lyrics with Sean Smith screaming, or singing into a special effects microphone, as heard in their new single ‘Higher and Higher’, which was played for, and participated in by, the Birmingham audience. The single is from the band’s up-coming album ‘Hope’ which will be released in April. The Blackout’s sound, though heavier than Lostalone’s inspired movement and dancing in a lethargic audience. The combination of Sean’s humour, during the set he shot himself in the head and fell flat on his back on stage, Gavin’s powerful vocals and the rest of the band’s musical talents made The Blackout a perfect support band, providing the crowd with a taste of what they were going to receive from My Chemical Romance.
Suspense was kept behind a black curtain; eager fans starting chants of ‘M-C-R’ as images of the band were projected onto the two large screens either side of the stage. When the moment of ‘Look Alive Sunshine…’ arrived, a riot of mainly female audience members erupted, each one screeching pushing forward in a desperate need to get to the barrier. After the Dr Death Defying introduction the curtain fell to the floor revealing the band’s silhouettes seen amongst an array of colourful lighting. Once criticized for being too dark, My Chemical Romance proved that those days of obscurity were far behind them.
Front man Gerard Way, sporting his Killjoy red hair colour, gave an inspirational vocal performance. He mixed the soft ballad notes of slow songs such as ‘Cancer’ with the heavier rock tracks such as ‘Vampires will never hurt you’. Gerard flirtatiously played with the predominantly female audience by emphasizing thrusting dance moves, licking his hand, blowing kisses and acting slightly risqué during the questionable noises in the Danger Days track ‘DESTROYA’; all of these actions being gratefully received by a mass of screaming females.
The band’s bassist Mikey Way failed to break a smile during the set, taking a broody stance for the whole of the show. Guitarist Frank Iero seemed to be back to his usual on-stage antics, jamming with a passion and appreciation for his art and talent. Ray Toro was able to shred insane guitar solos without moving an inch, however his facial expression of a fixed smile conveyed his joy at being back doing what he is passionate about after the large break the band took between albums. New drummer Michael
Pedicone has yet to be invited into the bond that is My Chemical Romance, in spite of this he proved to the fans that he could blow them all away with his drumming of old and new My Chemical Romance tracks.
The amalgamation of tracks from all four albums appealed to all phases of My Chemical Romance fans, from the old to the newer, every audience member loved each second of the New Jersey rockers’ massive twenty-one song set, including the encore.
The amalgamation of tracks from all four albums appealed to all phases of My Chemical Romance fans, from the old to the newer, every audience member loved each second of the New Jersey rockers’ massive twenty-one song set, including the encore.
With hints of a festival appearance this year, My Chemical Romance will definitely back to contaminate the UK once again, and by the reception from the Birmingham audience, the UK are eager to receive another dose of My Chemical Romance.
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| Photo of Ray By: Gemma Harling |
Photographs of Gerard and Mikey Way by Andy Watson
© 2011 by Drw-Images
Andy Watson's Website: http://drw-images.co.uk/
© 2011 by Drw-Images
Andy Watson's Website: http://drw-images.co.uk/
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