My Chemical Romance hit the road in 2022 to anticipation from eager fans busting out of the seams after the pandemic delayed the band’s original reunion tour in 2020. Based on their performance at the Oakland Arena on Wednesday 10/5, the six-year hiatus didn’t affect the band’s sound or on-stage presence. Kicking off the set with their newest single, “The Foundations of Decay”, lead singer Gerard Way was in fine form and continued belting out vocals on key and with strength as they went into “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)” from their 2010 full-length, “Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys”. The crowd roared with approval when they performed “Give ‘Em Hell, Kid” from their breakthrough LP, ‘Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge’. The band’s on-stage presence was low-key, without the theatrics or costume changes, nor was there much on-stage banter, except for a few moments like when they dedicated “The World Is Ugly” to Walter the Dog. The venue was awash with phone lights as the piano intro of “Welcome to the Black Parade” started and loud singing along with the beginning verse. Towards the end of the show, Gerard Way lead the audience in clapping along to an extended intro to “Helena” as they sang along loudly before the guitars kicked in and dancing and singing continued. Announcing that it was a song for themselves as well as the audience, Gerard proceeded to introduce “The Kids From Yesterday” as the band’s last song of the night. As much as the night was filled with nostalgia for MCR fans, it showcased a band that has plenty to offer and in solid shape for potential new music.
