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soundsandnoises · 2 years

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MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE with CASYETTE, BARNS COURTNEY and PLACEBO in Stadium MK, Milton Keynes (SATURDAY, 21st May 2022) - review

Do you know the feeling when you have been waiting for something for so long it started to feel unreal the closer you got to it? Some sort of version of it wrapped tightly around me when I began my journey to Milton Keynes for My Chemical Romance's concert. Even though it's been a while since MCR have announced their comeback it didn't seem to sink in, like I was afraid to believe it, so it didn't hurt so much if it turned out to be some sort of elaborate deceit. More shows have been announced, I approached that with caution, even though I have bought another ticket. A song was released. A brand new song, and I was triple checking that it wasn't fake news. Especially that 'The Foundation of Decay' was just oh, so wholesome and made me feel excited about new music from one of my favourite artists, because, frankly, recently, nothing really did...

The day might have started with tears (as my anxiety was kicking in when I was in the train to Bletchley in Milton Keynes), but it finished with so much laughter that my stomach hurt (although it wasn't probably a laughing matter that the train to London was awfully full and we were all way into each others' personal spaces and I didn't have to hold on to anything half of the journey, because people around me were so close I wasn't going anywhere). There were some tears and much, much more laughter inbetween. Laughter was laced with relief and sense of belonging to this community of fantastic bunch of weirdos. Tears, tears came throughout the show, at various moments for various people, for various reasons. But what was truly beautiful, was the caring for one another, as soon as one was noticing someone was bawling their eyes out, they were on the case to console, hug, shed tears together, grab some water and calm down whoever needed it. So in a way the sadness, frustrations and negative feelings released with streams of tears were transformed there and then into something incredibly positive and surely cathartic. It was for me.

I knew there would be tears during the show, but I couldn't be sure when exactly. I wasn't very surprised to see the moment was 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)'. Not my proudest moment, yet it didn't feel half as embarrassing as it normally would. It felt right to express it, let it out. And then: breathe. Until 'Famous Last Words' was in full swing and my eyes watered again.

But... on the other hand: I haven't felt that pure unobstructed happiness of the moment for a very long time. Concerts used to bring that feeling to me, every single time. Then something must have been broken and the feeling wasn't quite the same. It got incredibly close to that feeling when, after the pandemic started to ease a bit, the festivals started to happen and I could immerse myself in the live music again. I remember my cheeks hurt from smiling after Don Broco's headline show on Slam Dunk. But I digress.

When MCR started their show Gerard said that there was no plan, undertones of laughter in his voice were the proof that they did enjoy the glorious return to being a band. So no setlist set in stone, I believe one of the security guards mentioned they had four of them – so it was about to be a musical pick 'n mix and I was absolutely fine with that.

For a 'no plan' it was a genius idea to open with the newest in MCR's catalogue – 'The Foundations of Decay', where the last bit is a call to arms of sorts, a call awakening everyone from the slumber and a definite mood setter: 'GET UP COWARD!' was a thunder rolling through the Stadium MK. The ending of the set was as genius as its start – 'Helena' being the perfect closer, and oh, what a long wait it was to hear that song and scream those words: 'So long and goodnight!'.

It may not have been an anniversary of Frank being welcomed to the band, there may not have been special song dedications or Joan of Arc day or band's family member's birthday but it was still incredibly memorable and unique, because I could see the happiness and joy of band members that was lacking before they broken up, I'd dare to say it was sealed with a kiss: Gerard kissed Frank, the crowd exploded ecstatic and it felt that all fell into place, like it was like it used to, yet it was something brand new at the same time.

There was however one special mention – Gerard paid tribute to Power Trip's late singer Riley Gale saying they wanted to ask Power Trip to go with them on reunion shows. Mind you, Power Trip is a crossover thrash/thrash metal band, so as he continued praising the band he said they would have probably said 'no' to joining them on tour, but then he added 'No, I think they would come'. And I think they just might have if they had a chance, because something tells me it would have been one of these experiences you didn't want to miss.

Some may say that this show wasn't as weird/exciting/fabulous as the others, because Gerard didn't come to the stage neither covered in fake blood (first show at MK Stadium), nor in mud (Glasgow, last show in UK). Just an “ordinary” look. It didn't make the show any less fulfilling though. It was all there: the smirks, the awkward banters that would quite often finish with Gerard's (or others' laughter), because he either lost the plot in the middle of the story or the story went to the place that surprised even him, the geeky weirdness, the madness painted on his face mid songs, Mikey's intense gaze, tiny little smirk on Frank's lips...

Gerard commanded the crowd as he always did and could, like there was no abysmal gap between before break-up and now: fans got “told off” because they didn't click and lift up their phones with torches on (I believe it was before 'Summertime')

'I didn't have to tell them on Thursday, it happened naturally.' he rebuked. But was rather amused at the same time, which ruined the reproach a little.

Both him and Frank made the crowd step back when pushing and pressure became a bit too much for front rows (and for everyone caught inbetween).

I was glad they went ahead with that show, because Gerard had some issues with his voice (ah, good old self-deprecating humour, but truth be told he did sound a bit funny when he talked).

Twenty odd songs – as old as a band ('Our Lady of Sorrows'), a bunch that never made the cut and became part of 'Conventional Weapons' ('Make Room!!!!', 'Boy Division'), some played for the first time in a long time (longer than the others) – 'Bulletproof Heart' in this case (or as the band kept on calling it during the shows 'Trans Am', its original title), the must have's: 'Welcome to the Black Parade', 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)', the ones that kept the party going: 'Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)', 'DESTROYA', 'Mama'.

No distractions, full attention focused on what's in front of me and what's around me. Feeling whole for just a little while, fully embracing the fact that it wasn't just a phase.

Setlist:

The Foundations of Decay

I'm Not Okay (I Promise)

Give 'Em Hell, Kid

Make Room!!!!

Summertime

Bulletproof Heart

This Is How I Disappear

You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison

Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)

Famous Last Words

Surrender the Night

Teenagers

DESTROYA

Our Lady of Sorrows

Vampire Money

Thank You for the Venom

Mama

Welcome to the Black Parade

Sleep

Encore:

Boy Division

Helena

The show was a treat, but so was the bunch of bands performing before MCR each day. The opening act was Cassyette and oh, boy I did not expect the energy and the power of the growl she had in her. Hands down she woke up whoever dared to sleep with her mighty vocals, energetic set and contagious positive vibes. A goth princess with a dash of lolitta and hell loads of charisma made the crowd move to the beat and enjoy her music.

Then the mood shifted completely and Barns Courtney brought the indie rock vibes, rock and roll attitude and mixed the lot with light and dance elements of pop, some raw riffs and sweet, sweet range of his voice. Honey toned crooning was becoming loud like a bell in seconds, feel good vibes were just as contagious as the catchy tunes and the crowd was hooked.

Then the special treat, at least for me, guest extraordinaire: Placebo. Absolute legends. Brian's haunting vocals were echoing through the stadium, paired with roar of guitars made me want to just take it all in. So mesmerising you couldn't look away. Such a mix of emotions too: beautiful sadness, yet strange joy were interlacing with Placebo's songs old and new.

Before the show I heard people complain a little, that Placebo didn't really interact with the crowd, just sang their songs and left, but that was not the case on Saturday 21st. The little smiles, the big ones and thank yous were all there. And a fascinating observation, that each (or almost) song had a guitar change.

Also the DJ sets between bands' shows provided by Sean Smith were so on point and brought back so many memories and were basically pure fire

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