The long-awaited return of one of the most iconic bands of all time has finally happened. Fans new and old have been eagerly awaiting their chance to see this band reunite. After a two-year long postponement, My Chemical Romance finally got to take the stage at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

I still remember exactly where I was seconds after My Chemical Romance’s reunion was announced. Halloween 2019, sitting in a Shake Shack with my best friend before a show, recovering from our previous night at Columbus, Ohio’s emo night, Sad Boyz. I opened Instagram and saw a shared post from my friend Landen, RETURN with @mychemicalromance at the bottom. It was actually happening. The night before I was singing along to a band covering “I’m Not Okay” and it was now sinking in that I might actually get to see the original band perform it live someday. This band I’ve loved since middle school was coming back. A few months later MCR announced a full US tour…and after a few more months it was postponed because of COVID. But if there was any band that was worth the wait, it was My Chemical Romance.

The most special thing about My Chemical Romance’s setlist every night is that it is constantly changing. Of course they make sure to play their most well-known songs like “Welcome to the Black Parade” and “Teenagers”, but they also don’t leave out the deeper cuts and fans are loving it. The MCR fandom has been revived right alongside their favorite band and is showing up full force to support them.

Before the lights dimmed in Detroit, an ominous droning of static emanated from the speakers as tension, excitement, and screams arose from the crowd. Then as the lights went down, My Chemical Romance took the stage. As vocalist Gerard Way, dressed in a custom-made nurse uniform, walked onstage he kneeled down in from of the kick drum and painted “SICK” across the head with red paint.

Their set began with their newest song, “The Foundations of Decay”. It’s a heavy, dark tune that is perfectly reminiscent of their older work blended with the evolution of their sound over the years. It set a precedent for the rest of the show. You were about to experience a whirlwind of a night with a tour throughout their discography, 2001 to now.

I just have to say, having the opportunity to be in the photo pit for the next song was unexpected and probably the coolest experience I’ve ever had at a show. It’s not even my number one favorite, but who doesn’t love one of MCR’s most iconic songs, “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”? What an incredible experience. Being in that space right between the screaming fans and the band was unbeatable.

Next up was “Give ‘Em Hell, Kid”, one of my personal favorites from Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. I cannot stress enough how incredible the energy was at this show. The band’s performance was absolutely on-point from beginning to end and it felt like every single person in that crowd was having the best night of their lives. Despite being in an arena, it somehow felt like being in a small club (but with arena-level sound and production of course).

“Bury Me in Black” was the first of what I’d consider this night’s deep cuts. I was lucky enough to have been at the MCR show in Cincinnati last month when Gerard explained that one reason they’re playing this song is because of one of his photographer friends. At one of their Europe shows, she was telling him that fans were stoked they were mixing up the setlist every night and when he asked what her dream setlist would be, her number one answer was “Bury Me in Black”. She told him that yes, the lyrics to some of these songs are very dark, but now singing it back feels joyous “Cause we’ve all made it through that shit, we’re still making it through and we’re going to make it through that shit. That’s the hope at least.” I think that perfectly encapsulates what it feels like to be at a My Chemical Romance show. It’s a sense of togetherness that is rare. A feeling that no matter who you are or what you’ve been through, you can sing your heart out in a room full of like-minded people.

Another favorite of mine, “Summertime” was up next. What followed was my absolute favorite MCR song of all time, “House of Wolves”. Like I mentioned, I love how they change up the setlist from night to night, but when they didn’t play this one in Cincinnati, my number one wish was for them to play it this night and luckily it came true.

“Boy Division” from the first of their 2012 Conventional Weapons EPs followed, along with “DESTROYA”. At one point during “DESTROYA” Gerard began chanting “Take your meds”, a nice nod to his outfit. 

As the previous song faded out, sounds of a grandfather clock flooded the arena, an epic Stranger Things-esque buildup to the powerhouse trio of songs we were about to hear. “Welcome to the Black Parade” began, followed by “Teenagers” and “Mama”. The band’s performance of “Mama” just might have been my favorite of the entire night. The energy was incomparable.

Keeping up that energy, next up were two more Danger Days songs, “Na Na Na” and “S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W”. Throughout the night Gerard would check up with the audience, encourage the crowd to watch out for each other, and make sure everyone was doing okay. The band truly cares about their fans and you can tell that respect is mutual.

The arena lit up with phone lights for the next song. “The World is Ugly” is a song I was less familiar with up until seeing it live. Now after experiencing it twice, I have to say it’s been pushed pretty damn close to the top of my list of favorites.

“Famous Last Words” and “Sleep” closed out the set before they came back for an encore of “Vampires Will Never Hurt You” and “Helena”. A perfect ending for a perfect night. I can only hope that anyone reading this will get to experience a My Chemical Romance show at least once. You will not regret it.

As someone who’s been a music fan since childhood and has been deeply involved in the scene my entire adult life, I’ve been to hundreds of concerts. Due to this, it has always felt nearly impossible to come up with an answer to the question “What’s your favorite show you’ve ever photographed?” and even more difficult to answer, “What’s your favorite show you’ve ever been to?” Well, after 26 years I finally have an answer for both. My Chemical Romance in Detroit, Michigan.

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Kayla Kreller

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