Paramore w/ The Blackout @ The King’s Hall – 22/06/2010
June 29, 2010 No Comments
Probably the definitive definition of 'fiery red-head' staring at you right there
Support act, The Blackout, launched onto the King’s Hall stage in an explosion of energy and flashing lights. The 6 piece Welsh post-hardcore band used up every ounce of their energy, constantly running around, swinging brightly coloured microphones in the air and around each other’s necks. They carried an amazing presence, constantly jumping, head banging and encouraging crowd involvement.
They played a variety of songs from their two albums (2007) ‘We are the dynamite’ and (2009) ‘The best in town’’, including ‘Children of the night’, a song dedicated to anyone who knows a Goth, according to front man Sean Smith. The crowd went wild, jumping up and down in time to the music, and there were even a few attempted miniature mosh pits on the go. The Blackout were the first band to support Paramore in the UK, and were a great choice to support them again in Belfast.
The Blackout sporting nifty T-shirt captions
Once they left the performance space, it didn’t take long before a large butterfly backdrop was displayed, and the sound of shrill screams began emitting from eager Paramore fans. An orange flicker appeared behind the stage and the entire venue erupted into cheers and roars, hoping for their beloved Hayley Williams but to everyone’s disappointment it turned out to be a security guard wearing a fluorescent jacket.
However, the lights soon went out and Paramore entered the stage in an eye-catching display of musical talent, with Hayley skipping on last, just as she burst into song. The crowd went absolutely bonkers. Lead touring guitarist Justin York joined the 5-piece band from Tennessee onstage. This was due to Paramore’s belief that they were a heavy metal band in a previous life, this being an attempt to make their material sound heavier performed live.
Paramore played a wide variety of songs from all three albums, including ‘Pressure’, from their very early 2005 album ‘All We Know Is Falling’, ‘That’s What You Get’, from their second album ‘Riot!’ as well as a hefty amount of material from their most recent album, ‘Brand New Eyes’, including ‘Playing God’, ‘Ignorance’ and ‘Brick by boring Brick’. Hayley also shared her sensitive side by dedicating the acoustic track ‘The Only Exception’ to her Dad, as it was his birthday, and she couldn’t be there with him to celebrate.
Not sure what to caption here... nice pose?
No matter what song they performed, and how old or new it was, the crowd seemed to know every word, and sung along flawlessly. Not surprising, for such a popular band. Each member dominated the entire stage in a charismatic display, varying from Hayley skipping and dancing like mad, to bassist Jeremy’s party piece, involving jumping over one of the guitarists, much to the audience’s delight.
The set list also included ‘Decode’, from the movie Twilight, which saw everyone present producing a word-perfect choir, only to be outmatched by Hayley herself who’s vocals were incredibly powerful.
I'd take Mickey mouse over Twilight any day
Paramore’s finale consisted of ‘Misery Business’ from the album ‘Riot!!’, the main song that launched the very successful career they have today. It was performed with the same high energetic standards and musical talent as their opening song.
Half way through however, there was an interesting twist, when the performance was postponed so that Hayley and the other members could select a few lucky people from the audience and bring them on stage.
The chosen few were overjoyed and in shock, one in particular sprinting to Hayley to embrace her in a friendly hug. In an almost real-life Sing Star moment, they were each given their own microphone and allowed to dance and move around the whole stage, head banging with the guitarists, singing to the crowd and with Hayley.
It was the perfect end to an excellent show, and probably an extra special event for those select few audience members.
By Laura Rose