Live Review: Fall Out Boy @ Manchester MEN Arena

8 months ago 06th Mar 11:00

So, Fall Out Boy’s album, From Under The Cork Tree, was the soundtrack to my first year of University, and three years on, last night was the first time I was them live, and needless to say, I was a little bit excited.

To be honest, I never really followed them after that album, only really listening to the mainstream releases from Infinity On High and Folie a Deux but last night 100% reaffirmed that I need to get back into my skinny fits and get some Pete Wentz action going on.

Before we got to the main event however, it was Kids In Glass Houses who took to the stage, and left me feeling pretty dumfounded. I mean, I’d heard they were good, but bloody hell, I didn’t think they’d be this good.

They’ve had some pretty big support slots of the years they’re been doing this, and so they looked perfectly happy on the massive MEN stage, yet, that said, they perhaps could have utilised the stage a bit more as lead singer Aled was the only one who really got his dancing shoes on - but they we’re shiny and effortlessly good. I’m not overly sure how well the black dancing shoes went with his white socks though… but I think that look is in at the moment…

Despite the fact that I only know two of the evenings songs, the rest of the arena seems to know every word and the mental case behind me isn’t going to let me forget that as she screeches line after line into my ear; I’m actually worried that she might be sick on my head she’s putting so much effort into it!

Anyway, after that little nugget of joy, and a break for the X Factor wannabe behind me it was time for the main event, and the air became so electrically charged that I was wondering if the whole place was going to explode as it was glo-sticks a go-go and whistles at dawn.

Nevertheless, Fall Out Boy took to the stage right on time and these two wannabe skater boy / rappers next to me dropped ‘their gangta’ image and started going mental, I mean, that was a sight in itself; I wish I had filmed it and put it on YouTube; those guys were complete FOB Fanatics, and didn’t seem to mind bashing into me whilst pulling out their ‘killer moves.’

Opening with Thnks fr th Mmrs, the guys knocked out hit after hit, and I was actually quite shocked about how many of the songs I actually knew in the end. The crowd went crazy as Patrick Stump belted out This Aint A Scene, It’s An Arms Race, Sugar We’re Going Down and America's Suitehearts and all eyes were on Pete as he did his usual spin-around-with-a-guitar dance move.

Although the stage might have benefited from a bit more ‘razzle dazzle’ rather than just having three guys and a drummer plonked awkwardly on a gigantic stage, they made up for it with huge flame throwers and fireworks that sounded worryingly like gunshots and had me ducking like a moron every time one went off.

Proving that they are still just ‘Fall Out Boy from the block,’ Patrick informs everyone that their next sing is for someone “Too famous to show up for his own press conference.” before launching into their cover of Michal Jackson’s Beat It. Now, I don’t know about you, but I love the old Wacko Jacko, and if he doesn’t want to go to speak to people then you know, he’s Micheal Jackson! One day FOB might be famous enough to do that, I mean at their meet and greet it’s strictly ‘No Hugs, No Kisses, No Asking For Your Name To Be Signed, No Talking To Them.’ so you’re already halfway there boys. Lets just hope your egos can fit in your next press conference then. Fingers Crossed.

Overall, with a couple of randon singers treading the boards to help Patrick and friends out when they need it, namely Cassadee Pope from warm-up act, Hey Monday, it was definitely a gig not to be missed, but perhaps one I wouldn’t venture to again; I mean other than Pete launching himself into the crowd during the encore of Saturday, there was little to entertain the eye, well, except of course the half-hearted circle pit started by a bunch of emo kids, I mean, if you want a pit, go to Slipknot and getit right yeah?

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