There was a palpable sense of excitement — the kind that moves you deep within — at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Just before My Chemical Romance took the stage for their ‘Long Live The Black Parade North American Tour’ headlining set, monitors throughout the stadium highlighted various rules audience members needed to follow in the fictional country of “Draag,” aka where the audience would be living for roughly the next 90 minutes.
One such rule was “please do not throw hair.” Fair. Yeah, I think I can handle that one.
On the field, the Draag’s dictator sat directly across from the stage and his menacing silhouette loomed large on the screens throughout the show. This was authoritarianism in full effect.
The opening “National Anthem” led by the bandleader dressed in Nazi-like garb evoked an unsettling sense of patriotism for this fascist, fictional country, and, just like that, we were underway.
As predicted by fans, frontman Gerard Way’s makeup showcases his ongoing decomposition he experiences each show. Amazingly, he stays in character the whole time. That includes when he shoved countless noodles into his mouth (a lunch break?) and when the mayor of his actual hometown — Belleville, NJ’s Michael Melham — interrupted the vote for an execution* to hand over the key to the city.
Sorry, we forgot to mention the execution. Clearly, there was a lot going on in addition to, you know, the music.
This “execution” was signaled by a shocking firework bomb that was followed by “Welcome to the Black Parade,” so any panic created was eased by the chills-inducing anthem. Shout out to Ray Toro on guitar who captivated all night long with his virtuoso axe skills.
As we neared the end of the first act, I felt the heat of the pyrotechnics. No lie, I started worrying about everyone on stage. That didn’t last long though; my heat sympathies quickly dissipated when another firework bomb (!) went off not long after Gerard’s character is (SPOILER ALERT) stabbed.
Cellist Clarice Jensen’s hauntingly beautiful solo was a transformative interlude and necessary palate cleanser after the dramatics of the 2005 “Black Parade” album in full. When the emo heroes returned to the B-stage to play cuts from other classic records of theirs, they came out as they are – a bunch of talented musicians from New Jersey.
Truth be told, this was my favorite part of the show, hands down. For the next 11 songs, the sold-out crowd was treated to a stripped-down set that felt more like watching a band perform in their garage than headlining the gargantuan venue that’s home to the New York Jets and Giants.
Along with an amazing view of the pale moon, the second-act setlist was definitely for the longtime fans. The “Killjoys.” The “MCRmy,” if you will. The real ones that have been there since the very beginning.
I went absolutely nuts when they played the angsty as ever “Skylines and Turnstiles” (for the first time on the tour!) and fist-pumping singalong “It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It’s a F—ing Deathwish.” Closing out with Bon Jovi’s all-timer classic “Livin’ on a Prayer” was the ultimate ode to all those who rep the great state of New Jersey.
Final verdict: The theatrics of ‘The Black Parade Tour’s’ heady, high-concept first half both left me in awe and overwhelmed as evidenced by the loud, scary firework bombs. As a result, the stripped-down second half was much more my speed. To each their own. either way, I am fully enlisted in the Black Parade.
My only complaint? The show almost felt too short because it was so engaging and enjoyable.
Missed MCR at MetLife? The emo legends will be in Philadelphia (Aug. 15), Toronto (Aug. 22) and Boston (Sept. 7) these next few weeks. For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the tour below.
My Chemical Romance tour schedule 2025
Post-MetLife show, here’s where My Chemical Romance will head next (along with their exquisitely curated special guests).
Shaky Knees Festival 2025
A week after tour wraps, My Chemical Romance will close their 2025 run with a headlining spot at Atlanta’s Shaky Knees Festival, which runs Sept. 19-21 at the city’s Piedmont Park.
In addition to the big names mentioned above, Sublime, The Black Keys, Vampire Weekend, Lucy Dacus, 4 Non Blondes and many more exciting acts are also slated to appear at the three-day extravaganza.
Sound like the fest for you?
If so, you can grab single and multi-day Shaky Knees Festival passes here.
My Chemical Romance MetLife set list
For a closer look, here’s what MCR took to the stage at East Rutherford, NJ’s MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 9 courtesy of Set List FM.
The Black Parade
01.) “The End.”
02.) “Dead!”
03.) “This Is How I Disappear”
04.) “The Sharpest Lives”
05.) “Welcome to the Black Parade”
(interrupted at intro by the band being given the key to Belleville; followed by “The Election”)
06.) “I Don’t Love You”
(extended intro)
07.) “House of Wolves”
(with dog noises intro)
08.) “Cancer”
09.) “Mama”
(with “Dagger” outro; with guest opera singer)
10.) “Sleep”
(with “The Big Sky” intro)
11.) “Teenagers”
12.) “Disenchanted”
(with “The Button Pressed” intro)
13.) “Famous Last Words”
14.) “The End.”
(Reprise)
B-Stage
15.) “From A to B”
(Clarice Jensen song) (performed by Clarice Jensen)
16.) “Skylines and Turnstiles” (Tour debut)
17.) “Our Lady of Sorrows”
18.) “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”
19.) The Ghost of You
20.) “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)”
(Dedicated to Claire Marie Vogel)
21.) “It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It’s a F—ing Deathwish”
22.) “Boy Division”
23.) “Vampires Will Never Hurt You”
24.) “Helena”
25.) “Livin’ on a Prayer”
(Bon Jovi cover) (Live debut by MCR)
*There were two important handouts fans got on their way into the stadium for interactivity during the concert. First was a handheld poster, that read “YEA” on one side and “NAY” on the other that were used for the aforementioned execution vote during the show. Second was a small piece of colored paper to put in front of your phone light. The payoff was that the entire stadium glowed red while we swayed during the slower songs. Super cool to see.
My Chemical Romance MetLife opening acts
Gotta be honest here. Thursday did not get enough love from the crowd, which is shocking considering that they’re they not only a huge inspiration to MCR but also helped produce their first album, 2002’s “I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love.” Still, Geoff Rickly and his long-running outfit brought the goods.
Ben Gibbard and Death Cab For Cutie was a great chill interlude in between the much heavier, more dramatic acts. Standout tracks include “I Will Possess Your Heart,” “You Are a a Tourist” and “Soul Meets Body.” They’ll be at the Brooklyn Paramount on Tuesday, Aug. 12 performing a 20th anniversary concert celebrating the release of their 2005 album “Plans.”
While they performed, fans traded bracelets, photos and keychains. Nice touch, MCRmy. This was a really sweet way for fans to interact and say hello, especially for those who may have gone to the concert on their own.
Huge artists on tour in 2025
If you like your jeans skinny and still shop at Hot Topic, here are just five more acts you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• Blink-182
• Twenty One Pilots
• The Used
• Coheed and Cambria with Taking Back Sunday
• Dropkick Murphys with Bad Religion
Still here?
In that case, make sure to check out next year’s When We Were Young Festival (with Blink-182 and Panic! At The Disco) as well as the recently-revived Warped Tour.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
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