Paramore at Madison Square Garden
Last month, the incomparable Paramore played two sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden. This Is Why, the band's sixth studio album (and their first in nearly six years), is a triumphant and exuberant return–effortlessly playing with genre and keeping avid fans on their toes.
Photo by Zachary Gray
Following a hypnotic intro sequence, Paramore took to the stage in a flurry of furious red. After rocketing through their first few tunes, lead singer Hayley Williams addressed the crowd in breathless awe: “Is this Madison Square Garden? I remember this place,” she paused. “I think it was 10 years ago. It looks a little different this time, like we somehow found a way to fit ‘10 years’ more people in this room.” Her beaming smile proceeded to light up the arena, welcoming fans to the show. Many in attendance had yet to see the band live (this writer included).
Well-curated graphics, popping pyrotechnics and energetic performances came together to create a stunning visual experience. One’s eyes would ping back and forth across the stage, hoping to capture as much as possible to memory. The four additional touring members of the band often stole the show, with guitarist Brian Robert Jones playfully dancing with Williams and Joseph Mullen supporting core member Zac Farro on percussion. This Is Why plays with complex and off-center percussive elements; Farro and Mullen were able to seamlessly translate that into a live setting.
Photo by Zachary Gray
The stage design features an undulating lighting element at its center. During “Caught in the Middle,” the core illuminated in a softbox-like effect, throwing the stage into a dreamy, 70s-like haze, fitting for the playful melody. Midway through the set, the crowd was treated to Paramore in its original form at a smaller alternate stage. This interlude featured a gorgeous rendition of “Liar” (a personal favorite) and a touching dedication in “Crystal Clear,” with Williams calling out to her grandparents in attendance, “This is a love song, and it goes out to them.”
The second half of the setlist passed in a blur, joyous fan favorites mixing with punchy newcomers like “Crave” and “Figure 8,” an out-of-left-field, “must-see-live” song. Throughout the night, Williams continued to converse with the crowd, effusively grateful. In a longer address she credited the band’s mainstream success and continued existence to the fans:
Thank you for letting us grow up in front of you, alongside you. Thank you for letting us try shit,” she gushed. “Our sound has changed quite a bit, we go back and forth all over the place. And you know what, every single time, you guys are always there to hang with us. You’re always there to try it out. You have our backs. It is the biggest gift that we could ever receive as a band. We love doing this and we don’t ever want to have to stop, so thank you for hanging in there with us. Thank you so much.
As the end of the night approached, I was struck by the amount of songs I considered so wholly iconic. Songs like “The Only Exception” and “Misery Business” are powerhouse tunes even without the band name association. What an honest and obvious testament to Paramore’s presence in the larger musical and cultural space. So, it is even more impressive that this trio continues to produce stellar music (with their fans along for the ride).
Paramore’s This Is Why US tour continues through early August, with a scheduled appearance at Bonnaroo next weekend. You can find those dates here.