Panic! At The Disco were one of those bands I remember from my teens that were never off Kerrang! TV, always on someones MySpace and always known for their artistic appearance. Fast forward fifteen years and the theatrics are still there, just not the original band. Brendon Urie kept Panic! afloat through a time when being thrown into the “emo” wasn’t cool anymore and evolved into a chart-topping pop-rock sensation that he’s clearly proud and comfortable about.
The stage is huge as a platform in the shape for the triangular logo protrudes massively into the crowd. Various platforms with the drummer and backing instruments rise from the ground and just like magic Brendon Urie literally pops up from the ground and plays straight into ‘(Fuck A) Silver Lining’.
Brendon dons his iconic gold blazer and embraces the masses of screams with a cheeky smile as confetti covers the crowd. The touring band members stick to their zones and occasional dance in sync in what at times felt like a forced friendship. Like many others you find yourself mesmerised by Brendon’s dance moves and forgetting there’s a whole band and light show back there.
The set feels relentless as they play song after song with little breaks. When Brendon eventually acknowledges the crowd it gets personal as he fills the gaps with life stories and humble thank yous. There are a lot of young ones here but most importantly they’re enjoying this precious moment with their parents. One young boy watches the screen and attempts to copy Brendon’s moves whilst another makes up his own style.
Brendon Urie is truly a force like no other – his ability to swing from low to high pitch is wizardry and each time receives a wave of screams. Although throughout the night bassist Nicole and guitarist Mike get their little moments it’s mostly the Brendon show. He doesn’t just stop at singing as the piano comes out along with a solo drum moment during ‘Miss Jackson’.
During ‘Girls/Girls/Boys’ phones rise along with various coloured hearts purposely made for the song to show everyones acceptance and love for what ever you may choose to be. Flags are thrown at Brendon who becomes some kind of Pride burrito. The way he respects the audience and preaches acceptance is well received, especially amongst the younger generation.
Usually bands only play snippets of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ but Panic! being Panic! throw everything at the cover, even the screens mimic the actual video. Later on a captivating moment sees him shush the arena and point out a young girl atop of their mother’s shoulders dressed as he was in the ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ video before blowing her a kiss and skipping into the song. There isn’t any doubt that their songs and back catalogue don’t hold up, the night has felt like a theatrical appearance – the pace, staging, huge setlist, backing band and doting atmosphere. Fittingly, they end with Victorious.
8/10
