It's been a long wait for fans with tickets to this show, which was due to take place in March 2020.
At the time, My Chemical Romance and Jimmy Eat World pulled out of their respective festival appearances and sideshow dates for fear of potentially being locked down on the other side of the world.Fast-forward three years and we were finally marching to Rod Laver Arena (16 March), on a night that happened to coincide with the start of the AFL season and a 90,000 crowd at the neighbouring MCG. Not surprisingly, it didn't take much to tell the My Chem fans from the Carlton and Richmond supporters.
With only one support (and what a support, Jimmy Eat World), those with seated tickets all seemed to have the same idea, to turn up about five minutes before the set started.
All things considered, the staff handled the bottleneck well. Once inside, it was obvious why the general admission entry was quiet – the dance floor was already packed tight for the main event.
Supporting My Chem in front of a packed arena of fervent fans – many who may have never seen them previously, considering their last shows were back in 2012 when they toured for Big Day Out – is no easy task, but Jimmy Eat World were quick to charm as always.
One of the best live bands that seem to get better with age, Jim Adkins and co. played a greatest hits set, with 'Futures' tunes 'Pain', 'Work' and the wonderfully sombre epic '23' – which had swaying phone torches lighting up the arena – as well as 'Lucky Denver Mint' from 1999's 'Clarity' before winding up with the acoustic heart-wrencher 'Hear You Me' and absolute bangers 'A Praise Chorus', 'Bleed American' and, of course, 'The Middle' from their massive 2001 album 'Bleed American' (or self-titled, depending on whether you bought the renamed US import).
Let's hope they'll be back for headline shows soon.
There are few words to succinctly describe the My Chemical Romance onslaught; they've always been an awesome live band, with frontman Gerard Way's penchant for creating a show rather than playing a bunch of songs.
Now known as much for his storytelling through work like 'The Umbrella Academy' as My Chem, it was no surprise tonight's proceedings had a very gothy, theatrical feel.
As the band entered the stage to absolutely deafening roars and screams from the capacity crowd, who were on their feet even in the nosebleed seats, Way, dressed in office power-suit attire – short heels, stockings, skirt, shirt, tie and blazer – held nothing back as he (and band) ripped into 'The Foundations Of Decay', 'This Is How I Disappear', 'Boy Division', 'Give 'Em Hell, Kid' and 'The Ghost Of You'.
Dedicating 'Teenagers' to his daughter Bandit, who is somehow turning 14 this year, there was barely time for fans to catch a breath before the sing-along to 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)' threatened to almost drown out Way.
A personal highlight was 'Famous Last Words', a song that's been on weekly rotation (sometimes daily) since its release on 2006's 'The Black Parade'. Its album mate, 'Mama' rounded out the meat of the set, with the band returning for an encore that featured 'Vampires Will Never Hurt You' and happily predicted closer, 'Helena'.
For a band that's often been low-hanging fruit to mock for many, My Chemical Romance are hands down one of the great rock acts of the last two decades.
They may have dropped the pyrotechnics of early tours, but have somehow only grown in presence and showmanship, while also being so damn likeable.
Oh, their fans are excellent too. Walking out, the lines for merch were big, but not as big as the smiles on faces as thousands of fans finally got their 2020 do-over – and what a celebration it was.
