Concerts Reviews
My Chemical Romance – Long Live the Black Parade: Come for the Music, Stay for the Show
My Chemical Romance took Globe Life Field by storm Saturday night as part of their Long Live the Black Parade Tour. Throughout the night, they captivated the sold out stadium with a dazzling blend of song and theatre, drawing us into the dystopian country of Draag as they played their 2006 album The Black Parade in its entirety. After weaving a story bolstered by elaborate staging, costumes, and pyrotechnics, the group returned to the secondary stage in their street clothes, ending the evening with a warm air of camaraderie as they played an upbeat set of their other popular songs.
Starting the night off right was Garbage, a rock outfit from Madison, Wisconsin. Lead singer Shirley Manson got the crowd moving in no time, driving the energy up with punchy lyrics and a confidence well-earned from the band’s successful thirty-plus year career. They ripped through a set featuring their popular hits spanning the decades, such as “There’s No Future in Optimism” and “Stupid Girl, ” earning themselves new fans with every shredded solo. By the time they closed with “Push It” the crowd was howling for more. It was a high energy start to the night, and the perfect primer for what came next.
MCR took to the stage, adopting the identities of The Black Parade, a once dead band now resurrected to be the propaganda mouthpiece for “The Grand Immortal Dictator, ” who helms the parody fascist nation of Draag. Between classic hits such as “This is How I Disappear” and “Sleep, ” an immersive narrative unfolded. Unique film sequences and staged performances set a darkly compelling tone as lead singer Gerard Way commanded the stage with the ease of a seasoned showman. Fans went wild as he delivered perhaps his strongest live performance yet. The rest of the band (Ray Toro, Frank Iero, Mikey Way, touring drummer Jarrod Alexander, and touring keyboardist Jamie Muhoberac) brought an undeniable synergy through their instrumental strength. Ray’s solos, Frank’s chaos, and Mikey’s stage presence were out in force, while Jamie’s supporting melodies and Jarrod’s driving beats propelled them through the evening. To the delight of fans, portions of the album were expanded and built upon while maintaining the heart of the original works, such as a new set of lyrics to “Mama.”
Fans watched on utterly enraptured, and judging by the elaborate costumes many of them wore, they arrived excited to be brought into the experience. The audience was a sea of black and white facepaint and homemade outfits inspired by the world of The Black Parade. Participation was built into the show, most notably via a staged “election” where fans cast “Yea” or “Nay” votes. When the crowd voted “Yea,” a group of hooded figures were theatrically “executed” in a firing squad scene. Throughout the night, overhead an ominous projection displayed the Grand Immortal Dictator’s reactions to the events of the evening, offering foreshadowing for the audience of what would happen to the band. Songs such as “Teenagers” were echoed by thousands of enthusiastic voices as they heeded Gerard’s call to open the roof with their sheer volume. Adding another layer to the engagement, if you were lucky enough to catch prior shows, you could map out how the story slowly changed with each stop along the tour. All in all, audience participation was off the charts and directly contributed to transforming the concert from a performance into a collaborative community-driven art piece.
After ending the main stage with “This is How I Disappear,” Gerard’s character met his untimely fate at the business end of a dagger, while the rest of the band was hooded and drug off stage struggling by officials in military uniforms. In between sets there was a 10 minute interlude performed by cellist Clarice Jensen that kept the crowd captivated, watching with reverent silence. The band then shed their alter-egos and reappeared in casual clothes for a second half filled with energy and intimate crowd connection, introducing themselves simply as “My Chemical Romance,” a band from New Jersey. They played favorites like “Na Na Na,” “I’m Not Okay (I Promise),” “Helena,” and “The World Is Ugly,” as well as a cover of The Smashing Pumpkin’s, “Bullet With Butterfly Wings.” Fans watched on with tear-filled eyes as the band played a set like it was more for enjoying each other than it was for entertaining a crowd.
Overall the show was a testament to MCR’s enduring appeal and ability to transform a show into a meaningful experience for everyone participating, regardless of their current circumstances or even familiarity with the band. The stories they are able to weave through their music are intricate and leave you feeling as though you’ve been given something important to consider. Looking out at the sea of faces at the end of the night, it was clear that My Chemical Romance’s music resonates across the generations and continues to inspire fans.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
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 information on the tour here.
Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
GARBAGE
All Photo Credit: Parker Graham
Concerts Reviews
The Offspring Bring ‘Supercharged World Tour” to Vancouver
Born in the *very* early 80’s, I was probably the perfect age to experience The Offspring when they hit it big. I remember when “Pretty Fly for a White Guy” was exploding, and “Why Don’t You Get a Job” was pretty much everywhere for a minute. Remember when Much Music was still a thing that featured music? But for me, the 90’s was the decade of punk/rock songs finding their way into video games and I can’t hear “All I Want” without thinking about Crazy Taxi. I think I played that game to hear that song! Probably not what the game designers had planned, but what do they care? I bought the damn game, take the win!
The Offspring launched 2026 by bringing their Supercharged World Tour to Canada earlier this month, with their second show here in Vancouver. The Offspring are one of those bands you think about when you think of 90’s punk. We just enjoyed Sum 41’s farewell tour last year, and while I hate that they’re gone, others carry on. We’ll never forget you, GOB! Supporting their new record brought their fans out in droves, packing Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.
The Offspring have no shortage of hits, and they rocked their way through them all. Their fans – liberty spikes front and center – had no opportunity to sit or rest from the moment the main attraction hit the stage. Tracks like “Bad Habit,” “Hammerhead,” and “Make It All Right” hit hard. Everyone knew the words, and everyone sang along. Often loudly. Proudly!
Check out our favorite photos of the night below!
Upcoming The Offspring: SUPERCHARGED WORLDWIDE in ‘26 Tour Dates:
Tue Jan 27 — Prince George, BC — CN Centre
Wed Jan 28 — Grande Prairie, AB — Bonnetts Energy Centre
Fri Jan 30 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
Sun Feb 01 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
Thu Feb 05 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre
Fri Feb 06 — Fargo, ND — FARGODOME
Sat Feb 07 — Sioux City, IA — Tyson Events Center
Tue Feb 10 — Evansville, IN — Ford Center
Wed Feb 11 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
Fri Feb 13 — Hamilton, ON — TD Coliseum
Sat Feb 14 — London, ON — Canada Life Place
Tue Feb 17 — Peterborough, ON — Peterborough Memorial Centre
Thu Feb 19 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre
Sat Feb 21 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
Mon Feb 23 — Moncton, NB — Avenir Centre
Tue Feb 24 — Halifax, NS — Scotiabank Centre
More information can be found at TheOffspring.com.
THE OFFSPRING
BAD RELIGION
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
Concerts Reviews
The Offspring Supercharge Victoria With A Night of Hits
The Offspring kicked off the Canadian leg of their Supercharged World Tour in Victoria on January 22, and from the jump, it felt like more than just another tour stop. For decades, they’ve stood tall in punk rock history, firmly planted on the genre’s Rushmore alongside Green Day, NOFX, and Bad Religion. They even helped spark the rise of one of Canada’s own legends, Sum 41. The timing of this tour couldn’t be better either, landing right after the release of Supercharged, an album that pulls together different eras of the band into one fast, loud, and familiar rush. With a fresh record to celebrate and a hit-stacked catalog that spans generations, it’s easy to see why thousands showed up to sell out the Save-On Foods Memorial Centre.
Even before stepping inside, the night already felt alive. Fans swarmed the area, and more than a few leaned fully into the fun, rocking full Pretty Fly Guy fits. Once inside, that energy expanded. What felt like hundreds instantly turned into thousands, and you could feel it was one of those passing the torch kind of nights. Fans who grew up blasting Smash, Self-Titled, and Ignition brought their kids along to experience the music that helped shape their own teenage years. It didn’t take long to realize this crowd was ready to go off. But before The Offspring hit the stage, punk royalty took over.
“We promised you we’d play here again Victoria, sorry it took us 25 years.” With that, Bad Religion had the room eating out of their hands. The Cali punk icons ripped straight into classics like “Punk Rock Song,” “Recipe For Hate,” and “American Jesus,” keeping the energy sky high from start to finish. Every song hit hard, every chorus was shouted back, and by the time they wrapped up, Victoria was fully primed for what was coming next.
Then, it was go time. The Offspring burst onto the stage and wasted no time, opening with “Come Out and Play.” The reaction was instant. Fans were on their feet in seconds, screaming every word and even belting out the guitar riff like it was second nature. There was no warm up period here, just straight chaos. Noodles made his presence felt without saying a word, flashing Abolish ICE on the back of his guitar, a quiet but powerful reminder of punk’s roots. Front and center, Dexter was unstoppable. Locked in, bursting with energy, and sounding every bit as sharp as he did in the 90s. Any doubts about whether he still had it were gone before the first song even ended.
The setlist was deep, stretching across 20 tracks and touching nearly every major chapter of the band’s career. Smash, Americana, Rise and Fall, and Supercharged all got their moment. Songs like “Bad Habit,” “Hammerhead,” and “Make It All Right” sent the crowd into full meltdown mode. Fans didn’t just sing along, they gave everything back, lyric for lyric, letting the band know exactly how much these songs have meant over the years. The Offspring also kept things unpredictable, tossing in covers that somehow fit perfectly into the madness. “Hey Jude,” “I Wanna Be Sedated,” and even “In the Hall of the Mountain King” popped up. One of the most powerful moments of the night came when Dex sat down at the piano for “Gone Away,” pulling the entire arena into a quiet, emotional pause that hit just as hard as the chaos.
As the night raced toward its finish line, things went nuclear. The final stretch was pure fan service in the best way possible. “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy),” sent the place into celebration mode, and when the encore rolled around with “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid,” before closing it all out with “Self Esteem,” the building was shaking. During “Far Kid,” a zeppelin balloon floated across the arena flashing the iconic “Dance Fucker Dance” line and the crowd happily obeyed. Confetti erupted during the final chorus, turning the moment into total chaos in the most perfect way. Between moments like that and the relentless energy these legends brought to the stage, it’s easy to understand how they’ve stayed at the top of the genre for so long. The Offspring gave Victoria a night it won’t soon forget, and if this was just the start of the Canadian run, the rest of the country is in for a wild ride.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming The Offspring: SUPERCHARGED WORLDWIDE in ‘26 Tour Dates:
Sat Jan 24 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena
Sun Jan 25 — Kelowna, BC — Prospera Place
Tue Jan 27 — Prince George, BC — CN Centre
Wed Jan 28 — Grande Prairie, AB — Bonnetts Energy Centre
Fri Jan 30 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
Sun Feb 01 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
Thu Feb 05 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre
Fri Feb 06 — Fargo, ND — FARGODOME
Sat Feb 07 — Sioux City, IA — Tyson Events Center
Tue Feb 10 — Evansville, IN — Ford Center
Wed Feb 11 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
Fri Feb 13 — Hamilton, ON — TD Coliseum
Sat Feb 14 — London, ON — Canada Life Place
Tue Feb 17 — Peterborough, ON — Peterborough Memorial Centre
Thu Feb 19 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre
Sat Feb 21 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
Mon Feb 23 — Moncton, NB — Avenir Centre
Tue Feb 24 — Halifax, NS — Scotiabank Centre
More information at TheOffspring.com.
THE OFFSPRING
All Photo Credit: Marquise Monno