Tuesday’s impressive, fan-pleasing stage show at Van Andel Arena also featured sets by Jimmy Eat World, Hot Mulligan and Games We Play. The review, photos, set list.
Flames and Pyro Galore: Fall Out Boy at Van Andel Arena on Tuesday. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERY, FALL OUT BOY SET LIST
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With impressive stage production and set design, Fall Out Boy brought everything to the table — from “Sugar, We’re Going Down” to “Centuries” — at Van Andel Arena as part of the band’s “So Much for (2our) Dust” tour.
The over-the-top pyrotechnics and fireworks unleashed on Tuesday by the Illinois emo/pop-punk band were comparable to a WWE match. And for a few songs, a large panel of lights lowered from the ceiling, while the drum riser slid forward, giving the feel of an intimate venue, if only for the few fans on the barricades.
A massive Doberman head swayed, barked and sang for a portion of the set, hilariously directed by a crew member. (If you looked closely, you could see him puppeteering in the back.)
Bassist Pete Wentz’s magical disappearing act, a la Michael Jackson style, was also a highlight: Standing atop the piano, giving a monologue, he suddenly disappears behind a black curtain. The lights come up on a platform atop a giant cracken, where Pete magically appears as the band covers “Song 2” by Blur. After the song finishes, the lights go dark and a pillar of light shines up from the sound booth. Pete rises from the ground, high above the crowd, with the band launching into “Dance, Dance.”
Hit After Hit: Jimmy Eat World (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
Fans of all ages reveled in the spectacle of it all, with the expansive 27-song set covering the gamut, from band classics such as “Uma Thurman” and “Thnks fr th Mmrs” to new favorites “Love From the Other Side” and “Hold Me Like A Grudge.”
Alt-rock/emo pop veterans Jimmy Eat World didn’t miss with their set, either.
Playing hit after hit, the entire crowd was hyped by the third song, Sweetness,” from 2001’s acclaimed “Bleed American.” And as soon as the band started playing “Hear You Me,” the arena filled with tiny lights, like fireflies, from cell phone flashlights, as fans swayed to the song.
Hailing from Lansing, Hot Mulligan brought angst to the night, with its heavy vocals and high energy. Expressing gratitude for playing such a big venue in the band’s home state, vocalist Tades Sanville gave a word of encouragement before launching into another song with “S— Gets Worse Until You’re Dead,” immediately followed by “Gans Media Retro Games.”
Games We Play, meanwhile, brought the fun. The band made the most of the massive Van Andel Arena stage, with singer Emmyn Calleiro at one point bringing his little brother onto the stage to play bass.
The set was short, but never lacking in enthusiasm, making it the perfect pop-punk start to a perfect pop-punk night.
PHOTO GALLERY: Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, Hot Mulligan, Games We Play
Van Andel Arena
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
