Panic! At the Disco “Pray For The Wicked” tour made for a wicked concert

BY ALEXANDRA SANSONE

In a world of people content with viewing events from their dimly lit screens, attending concerts has seemed almost pointless. But Panic! At the Disco (PATD) has made it very clear that attending their shows will result in a truly wicked time.

There are some events that truly must be experienced in person for one to understand their magnitude, and PATD’s “Pray for the Wicked” tour is no exception. The band has been around for 14 years and, with the size of the act evolving with it, each performance has only served to help them perfect their craft.

PATD’s whopping two-hour performance was prefaced with musical acts Arizona and Hayley Kiyoko. The massive crowd cheered politely for the talented opening acts, but when the 10-minute countdown signaling PATD’s arrival was projected on stage, no eardrums within a mile radius were safe.

PATD’s Brendon Urie emerged through the floor for the opening number, which only served to heighten the frenzy of the packed stadium. The energy created was incredible, and the massive amount of phone screens recording the concert rapidly decreased as the show went on. Even the most technology-obsessed teens found themselves putting away their phones to simply jump around and enjoy the show.

When the 10-minute countdown signaling PATD’s arrival was projected on stage, no eardrums within a mile radius were safe.

The set list consisted of the perfect blend of both new and old songs. It seemed as if everyone in the venue knew all of the lyrics, which only added to the excitement of those on stage and in the audience.

The careful choice of songs from the many that the group has produced was complemented beautifully by Urie’s stellar vocal range, reaching notes both ridiculously low and ludicrously high. His successful attempts to replicate the digital version of each song left the audience in shock, as most artists modify live versions of each number to avoid the notes at the apex of each tune.

Not only did Urie achieve each of these notes, but he did so while dancing fabulously and changing between fashionable blazers, all of which seemed to match his metallic gold microphone. Accompanied by his large band, Urie took to the stage with a purpose, moving gracefully along with the guitars, drums, strings and brass instruments. By replacing the expected digital track blaring from the background, the band added an incredible authenticity to each song.

The concert was also supported by a light show, each song accompanied by a custom set of laser flashes. The lights, which are notorious for causing headaches at such shows, tended to bounce off screens in the stadium, avoiding the eyes of the crowd and adding to the allure of the concert.

In addition to the lights were sparks and flames set to appear in exact time with the beat of the music, amping the crowd up more as one new thing was thrown after another. Urie made the experience even more amazing for fans by walking through the crowd to get from one position to the next. By interacting with fans on his way, he contributed to the hysteria while reinforcing the bond each person in the room felt regardless of where they were standing.

By replacing the expected digital track blaring from the background, the band added an incredible authenticity to each song.

Despite his lack of conversation with the crowd, the energetic performances and small quips in between some songs made each attendee feel as though they were right against the stage’s barrier. Urie’s efforts to include pride references in songs and comments didn’t go unnoticed, as fans lit up the stadium with colored lights in the formation of a pride flag during the song “Girls/Girls/Boys” in a celebration of all sexualities.

At this time, Urie took the opportunity to bring up the Highest Hopes Foundation– an organization dedicated to supporting non-profit organizations that advocate for human rights, specifically for communities discriminated against because of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. To start the foundation, Urie generously donated a dollar for each ticket sold on the U.S. leg of the tour.

Urie made the experience even more amazing for fans by walking through the crowd to get from one position to the next.

At the end of the show, fans left the stadium in elated giggles, some with dazed grins on their faces. Each carefully thought out aspect of the concert catered to the wide age range in attendance and no one was left untouched by the marvelous tunes played by PATD.

Photo by Alexandra Sansone