Saving Rock & Roll
Fall Out Boy fans rejoiced earlier this year when the band ended their four year hiatus.They wasted no time, immediately announcing tours and a new album ‘Save and Rock Roll’. Kicking off their Australian tour on Tuesday night in Adelaide, Fall Out Boy fans braced the wild weather to see their favourite punk rockers.
Melbourne’s British India took to the stage with their fast paced blend of indie rock.The four piece played an energetic set covering both new and old material with “Vanilla” and “I Can Make You Love Me”being stand outs. British India have perfected their live sound but failed to get the crowd moving. Most of the audience were unfamiliar with the band but they were enjoyable none the less.
Fall Out Boy started the night off the only way they know how, with a bang. As the lights dimmed bassist Pete Wentz’s voice echoed through the room and the band appeared on stage wearing balaclavas. They launched straight into “The Phoenix” followed by older songs “I Slept with Someone in Fall Out Boy” and “A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More Touch Me”. The crowd pushed and shoved,vying for the best view of their heroes.
As usual Patrick Stump concentrated on singing while Wentz did all the talking. He rallied cries from the crowd with his honest speeches; “Fall Out Boy loves you because you’re a freak, and you’re different from everyone else, not in spite of it”. It was as if Fall Out Boy had never left. New songs such as “Alone Together” and “Death Valley” were received well but it was the old favourites that the crowd went crazy for. They sung their hearts out to “Sugar, We’re Going Down”, “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s An Arms Race” and “Dance, Dance”.
Suddenly the band appeared at the back of the room to play acoustic versions of “Where Is Your Boy” and “I’m Like A Lawyer With The Way I’m Always Trying to Get You Off”. The crowd relaxed for a while but the energy quickly ramped again with “I Don’t Care” and “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark”. Patrick took to the piano for a heartfelt rendition of “Save Rock and Roll” and the night ended with the only song that can end a Fall Out Boy show, “Saturday”.
So have Fall Out Boy saved rock and roll? I’m not sure but what I do know is that they stand up for what they believe in and fight against everything that is wrong in the music industry. That night there was a feeling of unity in the room, the feeling of music bringing hundreds of strangers together. After so many years Fall Out Boy are still able to connect with their loyal fans. So, long live the car crash hearts.