Gerard Way on stage at the Big Day Out earlier this year. Photo / Bradley Ambrose
Gerard Way on stage at the Big Day Out earlier this year. Photo / Bradley Ambrose
KEY POINTS:
There must have been some interesting conversations on the way home from My Chemical Romance last night.
I'm not sure how exactly one explains to an eight-year old what "turning tricks for cocaine" means.
Indeed, after frontman Gerard Way's first profanity-laden introduction, it seemed quite a few parentswere re-thinking their decision to bring their little angels to the Vector Arena show.
My Chemical Romance may have stormed the charts with their catchy, anthemic pop rock but make no mistake, these boys are hardcore.
Unfortunately, their audience was not. Which led to distinct lulls whenever the band ventured away from their hit singles and into their past repetoire.
With three albums to their name, the band had plenty of material to choose from, but still struggled to maintain momentum through the 90-minute show.
But when they were good, they were great.
Channeling a distinct Robert Smith-look, the zombie-like Way had the crowd throbbing, three songs in, with last year's hit I'm Not Okay.
Likewise, the pop anthem Mama evoked a stadium-wide sing along, worthy of a Queen concert. A feeling augmented by the impressive pyrotechnic displays - complete with flame throwers, glittering fireworks and raining fire sparks.
After a less-than-brilliant showing at the Big Day Out in January, the band managed to prove they have both the talent and attitude to survive in the fickle music industry.
As a strutting Way launched into I Don't Love You, the performance could only be described as epic.
But again, the feeling waned as the band ventured away from their hit singles, playing a thrashing version of Sleep, which seemed somewhat lost on the mostly teenage crowd.
After a melancholic piano solo by James Dewees, Way bid aideu to his fans, singing the bleak track Cancer.
Of course, the attention-seeking frontman couldn't end the night on such a dejecting note and returned to the stage for a final bow, singing two last anthems, Desert Song and Famous Last Words.
