Concerts Reviews

Long Live The Black Parade: My Chemical Romance’s Glorious Return to L.A.

Published

4 days ago

July 28, 2025

Taylor B

It was an eventful evening at Dodger Stadium over the weekend. However, this was not due to a baseball game. Saturday, July 26th-July 27th, the ICONIC rock band, My Chemical Romance, took Dodger Stadium by storm, nearly reaching full stadium capacity of 56,000 seats. The sold-out show paid tribute to the 20th anniversary of the 4x platinum album, The Black Parade.

The New Jersey natives played songs 1-14 off of their album, starting in order with the songs: “The End.,” “Dead!,” and “This Is How I Disappear.”

With some help, on Los Angeles nights 1 and 2, indie rock and pop band The Wallows kicked off the show for Gerard Way and MCR. Los Angeles residents Dylan, Braeden, and Cole energized the crowd with songs from their 2024 album, Model, which reflects a heartfelt and authentic band expression.

*Wallows @ Dodger Stadium on July 26, 2025*

The title ‘Model’ reflects the inherent imperfections of being a role model. Critics have praised the album as “a no-skip record“. The Model and More Tour continues from their previous world tour. The album features their biggest streaming debut for a single, “Calling After Me.”

The North American leg of the Long Live The Black Parade tour kicked off in Seattle, Washington, and will wrap up in Tampa, Florida, after eleven nights across the United States, spanning from July 11th to September 13th.

With interactive segments and beautiful instrumental interludes, Gerard Way, lead vocalist for the band, made sure to check in with the crowd in between songs, letting the fans know just how special this night was. After a 12-year hiatus from performing, the band was last together around this time back in 2022, touring for the same album, The Black Parade.

While waiting for the band to take the stage, I had a moment to talk to some of the fans, otherwise known as Killjoys. They were telling me about their techniques for getting to the barricade and how many times they’ve seen My Chemical Romance in concert.

The concert’s theatrics kept everyone engaged as the band depicted a tyrannical storyline. The tour takes place in the fictional world of Draag, where The Black Parade, once considered “dead,” has been “elected” as the dictator’s official band. Throughout the show, we see the Black Parade’s loyalty to the Grand Immortal Dictator wane and eventually lead to rebellion.

*My Chemical Romance @ Dodger Stadium on July 26, 2025*

Growing up with an older brother shaped my musical preferences. Bands like MCR have been part of my playlist since elementary school. Tracks such as “The Black Parade” and “Dead!” blared through speakers at 7:00 a.m. on our way to school or played through shared earbuds during long drives. The evenings often featured intense, emotional moments. Known as their most sorrowful song on The Black Parade album, “Cancer” uses a metaphor by Gerard to express his battle with depression.

The strength of the MCR fan base lies in its inclusivity. The stadium was packed with fans eager for an unforgettable night. MCR’s music has always connected deeply with people across various generations and backgrounds. Many fans embraced the band’s iconic emo style, arriving in handcrafted cosplay that showcased different eras and albums.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
August 2, 2025 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field Special Guest: Garbage
August 9, 2025 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium Special Guests: Death Cab for Cutie and Thursday
August 15, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park Special Guest: Alice Cooper
August 22, 2025 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre Special Guest: Pixies
August 29, 2025 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field Special Guest: Devo
September 7, 2025 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park Special Guest: IDLES
September 13, 2025 – Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium Special Guest: Evanescence
More info here.