Music
My Chemical Romance @ Hammersmith Palais, Aug 22
Published Saturday, Sep 2 2006, 17:22 BST | By Miriam Zendle
Having never really been able to get into My Chemical Romance, I approached the evening with some trepidation. I had never really listened in depth to much of their material, that much I'll freely admit, and when I had, Gerard Way's voice had seemed rather whiny as opposed to "orgasmic".
So, stepping into the Hammersmith Palais, I was probably pre-judging the event before it had begun. All of that was swept away, however, by the utterly charged atmosphere that I encountered upon entering the venue proper. The heat was somewhat overwhelming, and there was a sense of nervousness as a packed crowd waited for the main act.
My Chemical Romance always put on a good show, according to fan friends, and this one was no exception. Dressed in stiflingly hot black and white suits with a look akin to those styled by the Beatles back when Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was topping the charts, lead singer Gerard Way showed off his new hair - very different from his previous long black locks, instead he sported short, peroxide locks that sent a few people reeling in shock.
The band showcased new album The Black Parade through the course of the gig, playing a variety of hits old and new, finishing with fan favourite and chart topper 'Helena'. Ian Watkins from Lostprophets, as well as Bullet For My Valentine and Avenged Sevenfold were apparently present to see MCR win over London, giving them a little more indie cred than previous.
My Chemical Romance may have converted me to the cause somewhat with their superlative gigging skills, but the length of set did leave much to be desired - a lead act, and a popular one at that needs to give the fans more than an hour in length.
So, stepping into the Hammersmith Palais, I was probably pre-judging the event before it had begun. All of that was swept away, however, by the utterly charged atmosphere that I encountered upon entering the venue proper. The heat was somewhat overwhelming, and there was a sense of nervousness as a packed crowd waited for the main act.
My Chemical Romance always put on a good show, according to fan friends, and this one was no exception. Dressed in stiflingly hot black and white suits with a look akin to those styled by the Beatles back when Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was topping the charts, lead singer Gerard Way showed off his new hair - very different from his previous long black locks, instead he sported short, peroxide locks that sent a few people reeling in shock.
The band showcased new album The Black Parade through the course of the gig, playing a variety of hits old and new, finishing with fan favourite and chart topper 'Helena'. Ian Watkins from Lostprophets, as well as Bullet For My Valentine and Avenged Sevenfold were apparently present to see MCR win over London, giving them a little more indie cred than previous.
My Chemical Romance may have converted me to the cause somewhat with their superlative gigging skills, but the length of set did leave much to be desired - a lead act, and a popular one at that needs to give the fans more than an hour in length.
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