As much it is hard to comprehend, Fall Out Boy in 2015 are no longer your sweet scene secret. Ten years on from untouchable breakthrough LP ‘From Under The Cork Tree’ they are no longer just the poster boys of emo and the frontrunners of the heartbreak game. Fall Out Boy is a global franchise on a cult scale. Reaching all four corners of the globe and selling out venues wherever they set their feet, the shy, secluded pop punk teens of the mid 00’s are now men with endless radio plays, gold discs and an appeal that spreads further than they could ever possibly have thought. Their ongoing success since the surprise comeback back in 2013 has led to a huge UK tour culminating in a two-night stint at Wembley Arena, including this evening. It’s time to see what their time in the limelight has taught them.
Striding out with a spritely spring in their step the quartet tear straight into ‘Sugar We’re Going Down’ and every diaphragm in the room is stretched. Looks of complete euphoria fill the faces gracing the room and the air is thick with love and admiration. A triumphantly sensual‘Irresistible’ follows before a pitch perfect ‘A Little Less Sixteen Candles’ has fingers pointing vigorously from front to back. A real point to take note of is the reaction that the newer material receives compared to the classics. Tracks such as the sweltering ‘Uma Thurman’ and explosive ‘4th Of July’ have arms bopping and voices breaking on the floor, while older cuts such as the rare outing of ‘Hum Hallelujah’ and a positively volatile ‘Thriller’ though received enthusiastically only have certain, but nonetheless large, pockets of the room truly losing their marbles. Perhaps this is the best representation of modern day Fall Out Boy. Everybody is here as one, regardless of when they became a fan of the band. Be you old school or new school, every heart is in the same place in this room. It is a sight to see different sub cultures and worlds coming together and experiencing the same show in a way only a few bands truly can. This is a room where young and old share the same infatuation and it certainly feels like a special one.
Things continue with a pounding ‘This Ain’t A Scene’ before an actually enjoyable drum solo from Andy Hurley swiftly follows an acoustic interlude of ‘Immortals’ and ‘Young Volcanoes’. ‘Chicago Is So Two Years Ago’ provides a retrospective break from the pumping pop stylings of newer cuts ‘American Beauty/American Psycho’ and ‘Jet Pack Blues’ before a snotty ‘I Don’t Care’ and silky smooth ‘Thnks Fr Th Mmrs’ sets up ‘Centuries’ and one of the most consuming sing-alongs of the night. The quick fire pace the set takes on leaves one a little breathless but also craving more and wishing that moments like this would never end.
As Pete Wentz stretches his vocal chords to their limit for a hectic and poignantly tingling ‘Saturday’ the evening comes to a rousing and emotional close and not a single face in the whole of Wembley is looking dissatisfied. A masterclass in musicianship, showmanship and compassion for their adoring fans has taken place this evening. As vital now as they were 10 years ago, Fall Out Boy continue to lead the pack across the spectrum of music and set hearts racing night after night. As long as they exist as a band, unbridled joy will follow every step they take and that will never ever change.
5/5
Words by Jack Rogers (@JackMRog). Photos by Connie Taylor Photography.
