Respectably strutting on stage in black leather skinnies, a shirt and glossy blazer which even looked good before the chaotic light works set off, Brendon Urie & Co arrived to a packed Olympia Theatre filled with long awaiting fans.
Kicking off on the fresh new note of ‘Vegas Lights’, the stage works and laser beams were more than title-fitting. A real upbeat number to get the show on the road and roll nicely into the older ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’ classic, ‘Time To Dance’ which had the “seating” fans sitting no longer.
The entirety of the show balanced a well-structured mix of both old and new favourites, retracing the years of the band’s sound.
A full four tracks were belted out before we saw frontman and last remaining original member, Brendon Urie address the crowd. A simple and blunt “how the fuck are ya!?”
‘Lets Kill Tonight’ – a 2011 creation from ‘Vices & Virtues’ saw Urie take to the drums for an explosive end. ‘This Is Gospel’, ‘Camisado’ and ‘New Perspective’ were just some of the highlights which followed this, the latter two clearly pleasing the longterm fans in the crowd. In fact, so much so that Brendon himself was drowned out for the final line or two.
Now, if Paramore’s Hayley Williams is acclaimed for her energetic performances, well what have we to say about this agile, awe-provoking frontman with endless stamina and a massive taste for entertaining? From start to finish, it was go go go, and a backflip off the drum platform mid-‘Miss Jackson’ just sealed the deal.
‘The End Of All Things’ and ‘Nicotine’ really brought the best of the refurbished sound, highlighting their ongoing ability to produce quality material, but the soft spot in the crowd for the older tracks was sparking for the likes of ‘Nine In The Afternoon’, ‘Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have…’ and ‘But It’s Better If You Do’ as the set drew to a close.
One of the longest stretches before re-appearing for an encore was met by ‘Girls/Girls/Boys’ and a mighty eruption of nostalgia paving the path for ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’, seeing the crowd go solo for the first verse and very nearly drown the band out for the remaining two and a half minutes.
An exceptionally impressive set right down to the light show, the fierce stage presence and the incredibly well structured set list. Dublin’s intense wait for Panic! At The Disco’s arrival was well matched and frankly written off by Panic!’s angelic imprint on Dublin.