My Chemical Romance’s Black Parade Returns Home to a Loving MetLife Stadium
- Samantha Blyn
- Aug 21
- 4 min read
My Chemical Romance’s Long Live The Black Parade tour touched down in New Jersey on Saturday, August 9. The show was a landmark homecoming for the band, who (now on their first stadium tour) sold out the largest venue in their home state. I already had a ticket for the Philly date the following week, but at the last minute, decided to snag one for Jersey. I always loved that we were from the same place, and knew I’d regret it if I didn’t go to “our” hometown show. This also meant that my first time seeing My Chemical Romance live would now be six days earlier than originally planned. I couldn’t wait. The anticipation of the night could be felt from the parking lot. Fans dressed in everything from all black and fake blood, to recreations of music video costumes camped out to make a day of the impending festivities.
From the beginning, the concert felt like a celebration of home. New Jersey-natives and post-hardcore legends Thursday kicked things off, beaming with pride to be sharing this occasion with their longtime friends. Lead singer Geoff Rickly repeatedly thanked the crowd for showing up early, dedicated “White Bikes” to “anyone who lives near Route 22”, and pointed out that technically, Thursday played MetLife Stadium before My Chemical Romance. Following Thursday was Death Cab For Cutie, who played a crowd-pleasing set featuring some of their biggest hits. Then, as the sun went down, it was time for The Black Parade.
Thursday drummer Tucker Rule faced the daunting task of playing a double header – after opening the show with a blistering set, he expertly slipped into character as the stone-faced percussionist of the DRAAG Auxiliary Band. Marching onto the stage with a single snare drum, he played under a spotlight, heightening the drama before the Black Parade took the stage. The world-building that has been done for this tour is outstanding. The Black Parade (the band) is under the control of a character called His Grand Immortal Dictator, who forces them to play The Black Parade (the album) night after night. He holds the band in the fictional land of DRAAG, complete with its own language, rules of conduct, and national anthem. After Tucker Rule’s drum intro, opera singer Lucy Joy Altus (whose character is referred to onstage as “Marianne”) sang the fictional DRAAG national anthem. The Black Parade then filed onto the stage and got to work.
The production during the Black Parade set was a sight to behold. Bright red and blue lights, and later, fire, lit up the stage as the band performed their classic album straight through. DRAAG Auxiliary Band member Kayleigh Goldsworthy provided violin accompaniment and backing vocals throughout the set.
Before “Welcome to the Black Parade,” My Chemical Romance was presented with the keys to the city of their hometown of Belleville, New Jersey. The band, however, accepted the honor in character as The Black Parade, responding by giving Belleville mayor Michael Melham tokens from their homeland: a bundle of wheat and a fish wrapped in paper. Following this exchange was “The Election,” wherein the audience holds up their paper Yea/Nay signs (distributed upon entry to the venue) to decide the fate of four people. As the tour has progressed, fans have noticed that they only have the illusion of choice – the people are “killed” in a flash of fireworks no matter what.
During the final song, a reprise of “The End,” guitarists Frank Iero and Ray Toro, and bassist Mikey Way, are kidnapped by His Grand Immortal Dictator’s officers. Lead singer Gerard Way is “killed” by a black-and-white painted clown, who seems to be another one of the dictator’s hostages. He himself then “explodes” and the lights go black.
Cellist Clarice Jensen performed her piece “From A to B” on the B-stage, which was a captivating transition into the second act of the show. Now in regular clothes, the band took to the B-stage as themselves, with Gerard Way clarifying “We’re My Chemical Romance from New Jersey.” Although I believe I saw a flicker of Way’s own amazement at his hometown stadium singing “Famous Last Words” during the Black Parade set, he could now chatter with the audience out of character.
The B-stage was an entire second concert, opening with one of the first-ever MCR songs, “Skylines and Turnstiles” from their debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love. I am clearly biased, but this setlist could not have been better. It was the band at their very best, performing deep cuts, fan favorites, and seemingly having just as much fun as the audience. Gerard, Frank, Mikey, and Ray were glowing with Jersey pride the entire time. I just about hit the floor when they played my favorite, “It’s Not A Fashion Statement, It’s A Deathwish,” following it up with “Boy Division,” one of My Chem’s very best songs.
Nothing could have prepared me, or anyone else, for how they’d close the show. Gerard introduced the final song as “the New Jersey state anthem,” which is, of course, Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer.” The place erupted. Somehow, My Chemical Romance closing their hometown stadium show with a cover was the perfect choice. When the song was over, Gerard said “New Jersey, we did it,” and the band exited the stage. I stood there stunned until the lights came on, feeling like I’d just seen two incredible shows.
