The Midwest pop-punk band brought its signature hits, an uplifting message and indoor snow to Van Andel Arena as it prepares to take a hiatus. (Review, photo gallery)
Saving Rock and Roll: Fall Out Boy revved up a photo-snapping Tuesday evening crowd. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
The “snow” falling from Van Andel Arena’s rafters Tuesday night couldn’t cool down the dancing crowd.
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On a day when West Michigan’s outdoor temps topped 70, pop-punk’s Fall Out Boy brought indoor snow and its Wintour to Grand Rapids, along with a captivating stage presence that matched its fist-pumping music.
And with the band announcing this would be its last U.S. tour before taking a hiatus, thousands of avid fans weren’t about to let the multi-platinum-selling Fall Out Boy ride off into the sunset without giving the punks an appropriately rousing send-off.
Concertgoers certainly couldn’t take their eyes off the stage: Besides proving their mettle as musicians, the members of Fall Out Boy engaged the audience all night, encouraging sing-alongs and dancing.
Lighting Up Van Andel Arena: Fall Out Boy on Tuesday night. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
They played songs that appeased fans from past and present, from their older hits such as “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” and “Dance, Dance” to the newer “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)” and “Save Rock and Roll.” They also promoted their newest record, “American Beauty/ American Psycho,” with the crowd favorites “Centuries” and “Uma Thurman.”
In between songs, bassist and singer Pete Wentz took time to discuss mental health awareness. He thanked the crowd members dealing with depression and anxiety for taking the time to attend the concert, going on to say that the stage set-up, streamers and pyrotechnics aren’t really what makes the show special — it’s “the people that come into this room.”
Wentz also took time to address societal pressure and urged fans to not give up on their aspirations. “Keep your dreams extra large,” he declared. “Don’t let anyone shrink them.”
The band also paid tribute to some of its influences: During the song “Save Rock and Roll,” originally recorded with Elton John, the screen displayed a tribute to the late David Bowie.
After a two-song encore, Wentz stepped off stage with help from security to plunge into the crowd — a sweaty crowd that left the arena Tuesday with smiling faces amid streamers on the ground.
Alternative rock bands PVRIS and AWOLNATION opened for Fall Out Boy. Massachusetts natives, PVRIS, warmed up the crowd with electronic-hued rock, followed by AWOLNATION, with its matching jumpsuits and drum-and-guitar solos.
PHOTO GALLERY: Fall Out Boy at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Anthony Norkus
