Live Review: Paramore

20^th September 2013

Manchester Phones 4U Arena

Paramore are here in the UK to promote their new, self-titled album. It’s their first tour in the UK since the Farro brothers left the band in 2010 other than the occasional Festival date. With past band bust-ups frequently in the public eye, the key trio have returned stronger and better than ever. Manchester sees the first night of the six date headline tour, with support from Indie band Eliza and the Bear and Synthpop act Charli XCX.

Frontwoman Hayley Williams, as always is the star of the show. Bringing with her yet another creative hairstyle she gives it her all, strutting about on stage in tight, glossy leggings. For such a petite lady Williams carries such a solid, striking voice, one which has matured over time. Tonight she is here to prove critics that this is not the end for Paramore, simply just a new start. With sleek dance moves, angst and crowd interactions the whole stage is ablaze with their infectious persona and the main trio, as a whole are on fire.

The few years out of the limelight focusing on writing and recording has made this band sturdier than ever. With the help from seasoned touring musicians the performance is tight, varied and conveys lyrics about heartbreak and love that the audience can, in some way or another relate to.

 ‘’This year has been such a roller coaster for us, so far in our lives it’s been ok to let go,’’ Williams states as she rehearses a speech about how tough the last two years have been for the band.

Paramore surprise the audience by performing acoustic song ‘In the Mourning’, written a few months after the Farro brothers quit the band. Williams pours her feelings out in front of a 10,000+ audience. This one can only be followed by another devotee favourite, ‘The Only Exception’.

The set-list primarily consists of a mixture of songs from the new album ‘Paramore’. A few classic tracks are incorporated here and there, mainly hit singles. The arena interrupts into song throughout the show as fan favourites ‘Ignorance’, ‘Decode’ and ‘Crushcrushcrush’ blare out from the speakers.. The three acoustic interludes provide a break from the captivating set in which guitarist Taylor York and Hayley Williams set themselves up on alternate sides of the stage with one spotlight.

During most celebrated single ‘Misery Business’ Williams brings the crowd to a halt , surveys the crowd and pulls up a fortunate teenage girl introduced as Amy from the audience. Together they sing until the end of the song, take a bow and leave the stage on time for the encore.

Paramore conclude with a combination of acoustic and electric tracks from new album, ‘Part II’, and emotive song ‘Interlude: Moving On’. Fresh single ‘Still Into You’ is the big finisher for the night. The fact remains that this band can handle whatever is thrown their way, care about their fans and can still pull off a memorable show in the process. They aren't going anywhere in a hurry.

Set List.

1. Grow Up

2. Fast in My Car

3. That's What You Get

4. Ignorance

5. Decode 

6. Interlude: I’m Not Angry Anymore 

7. Daydreaming 

8. When It Rains 

9. Last Hope 

10. Brick by Boring Brick 

11. Interlude: Holiday 

12. Crushcrushcrush 

13. Now 

14. Ain't It Fun 

15. In the Mourning 

16. The Only Exception 

17. Pressure 

18. Misery Business 

19. Encore:

19. Part II 

20. Interlude: Moving On 

21. Still Into You 

Single Review: All Time Low - A Love Like War Ft Vic Fuentes

All Time Low are back with new single ‘A Love Like War’ featuring Vic Fuentes from Pierce The Veil. The two bands are set to do a tour of the USA alongside fellow American rockers A Day To Remember this September.

The band have had many successes over the years with numerous sold out UK tours and five albums in their back pockets. This time around they are re- releasing 2012’s album ‘Don’t Panic’, this time around with four new songs and four bonus acoustic tracks.

The video shows the well groomed quartet playing in a movie theatre, the camera pans from room to room showing different stages of them either playing as a band or watching the film. The movie in the background shows a black and white silent film focusing on the issues of war.

All Time Low include all their usual elements to their new single, although this time the drums and the guitar riffs are a tad heavier than normal. Vic Fuentes’ vocals enter during the chorus. However he doesn’t use his own renowned screaming to capture listener’s attention. It would have been good to see if ATL could have pushed the boundaries as to what their fans would listen to. For now though, they have decided to play it safe with new single.

All in all ‘A Love Like War’ proves to be a worthy upbeat song, catchy as expected from a band like ATL. However nothing really stands out as far as new music is concerned. The element of Vic Fuentes’ vocals of course helps with the possibility of gaining the band some new fans.
With lyrics such as ‘Hearts on fire tonight, feel my bones ignite,’ Furentes’ belting out melodies with ATL vocalist Alex Gaskarth sets the chorus alight. Other than tiny shifts in the music showing the band are evolving there doesn’t seem to be any major change or want for new direction with their musical talent.

The new album ‘Don’t Panic: It’s Longer Now’ is out 30th September via Hopeless Records.