My Chemical Romance live review - Hammersmith Apollo
- Oct 25, 2010
Having not played a UK show for a mammoth 3 years, My Chemical Romance returned to a sold out Hammersmith Apollo to treat fans to a taste of things to come from their new record.
The New Jersey band opened with recent release (and fantastically videoed song), ‘Na Na Na’. Newer and older fans alike were thrown into a frenzy of audience screams and easy chorus sing alongs.
From newer material to the older sound which threw My Chemical Romance into the mainstream, the boys then launched straight into ‘Thanks For The Venom’. Front man Gerard Way thanked the audience for their toe crushing reception, eloquently describing the night’s show, as a “big fat f**king reward”.
Whilst showcasing much material from both 'The Black Parade' and 'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge', MCR shocked fans (not only with Gerard’s electric red hair), but by playing ‘Our Lady of Sorrows’. A song that hadn’t seen a single audience for five years, a true highlight for die-hard followers of the band.
Fans responded with glee to new song ‘Planetary (GO!)', which showcased a new infectious disco-rock sound. The crowds were also wooed when MCR encored with never-before-heard ‘The Kids From Yesterday’. A final pointer to their upcoming new album ‘Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys’, released next month.
The My Chem boys truly showcased their talents and maturity playing a set that focussed purely on their music. No smoke, no mirrors, just a dimly lit spider printed onto a small American flag hung from the back of the stage.
Gerard captivated the packed venue, with not only his perfected vocals (and striking locks), but his humble approach to fans, particularly when he invited two fans (sisters in fact) onstage to sing along to 'Honey, This Mirror Isn’t Big Enough For The Two of Us'. Judging by the huge amount of duvets left outside the venue, the lucky siblings would most likely have spent the previous night camped outside the Apollo only dreaming of sharing a stage with MCR.
Fulfilling high expectations and making dreams a reality in true Cilla Black style, My Chemical Romance proved their alternative-hero worth . If anything, after the night’s energetic performance at the Apollo, the Jersey boys more than increased excitement and anticipation ahead of their new album.
8/10
Hannah Mahony
