A Stunning Set
If Biffy Clyro were on a mission as the second support to Muse, then My Chemical Romance are playing like their lives depend on it. The band come onstage to mellow sing a-long 'Dead!', presumably getting us in the mood for tracks from their dark and death-themed but hardly morbid recent album, 'The Black Parade'. Showman Gerard Way is instantly trying to get the crowd onside striding up and down the stage with gusto and the amount of expletives he utters ("Wembley fucking Stadium") are clearly a sign of his enthusiasm. However, not to be outdone guitarist Ray Toro is down on one knee thrashing his guitar by the second tune, the powerful, 'This Is How I Disappear', while his companion Frank Iero writhes on the ground on his back later in the set adding plenty of theatrical turns even without Way's stage mastery.
There are plenty of hits from the band's new album; 'I'm Not Ok's rapturous chorus has the fans going wild, as does big ballad, 'I Don't Love You'. Passion is definitely a word to describe My Chemical Romance, but the band's electric performance and the reaction of their wild fans; unfortunately while their fans show the true impact MCR have made on the world of music, the voracity of their opinions is matched by that of the scrupulous haters. Unfortunately their set is partially marred for some fans in one particular seated area as a fine example of such an uneducated hater begins to express his opinions of the band, beginning with a gutteral cry like that of a wild animal and shouting obscenities at the band, matched with rude gestures throughout the set until removed by security. Such immature and pointless displays are made a mockery of by Way's sense of fun and drama, and the sincere monologue that he gives about how suicide isn't an option and you should never solve your problems with violence (or threats thereof in this case).
After clearly fulfilling his duty with these words Way invites us to party with the jaunty, jangly melody of 'Teenagers'. The natural showman adds some shimmying flourishes to 'House of Wolves', while 'You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison' goes down well with its thrashing chorus, despite being an older track. 'Mama's sparkling melody and creepy vamping verse has strong toe tapping potential even in such a massive venue, while 'Cancer' was always going to be a true tear jerker when it concerned such a sensitive subject, luckily its delivered with suitable reverence and marks the band's imminent sorrowful departure well.
And yes we are sad to see them leave, no one (or at least no one who took the time to listen) who witnessed this performance could deny the awesome power that My Chemical Romance have live, it was enough to have old and young dancing with stunning tunes that could raise the hairs on the back of your neck.