My Chemical Romance Brings the Long Live the Black Parade Tour to Philly on 8/15/25

Photography and Featured Image taken by: Lindsey Byrnes
Review by: Alyssa Arroyo

It has never been, and it never will be a phase. On August 15, 2025, My Chemical Romance took the stage at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA to perform the entirety of their famous  2006 album, The Black Parade. I have had the privilege to see My Chem live now three times in my life and somehow, this band continues to get better and better each show. Even just from their hometown show performed at Metlife Stadium only 6 days beforehand in New Jersey, the plot of the show continued to develop greatly. From the mystery setlists like from 2022’s
Reunion Tour, to extensive theatrical elements featured throughout this leg, the Long Live the Black Parade Tour has been nothing but thrilling for us die hard MCR fans.

It is important to note that this show isn’t structured like most traditional rock concerts. From the second you walk through the venue’s security, you are handed a black and red “YEA” or “NAY” sign with a ‘Keposhka’ translation underneath. This freshly developed language was created by My Chem’s lead singer, Gerard Way, and comic book letterer, Nate Piekos. Keposhka becomes a more integral part of the show as fans notice the iconic “MCR” abbreviation now features different letters. Additionally, as the sun begins to set and the crowd starts to become anxious, a series of rules are displayed on the side screens throughout the stadium. Written in both English and this fictional language, the fans quickly started to realize this show date had new rules added. Some include, “Rule 2: Never abstain from an orderly line” and “Rule 10: While partaking
in community, corroboration is strictly forbidden”. Showcasing their ability to captivate audience before even taking the stage was apparent and ultimately left the crowd wanting more. And more was definitely delivered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The time had finally come. Drummer and long time friend of the band, Tucker Rule, entered the stage while dressed head to toe in uniform as a part of the coined “Draag auxiliary band”. During this time, the intimidating figure named the Grand Immortal Dictator took his seat
amongst his militia as opera singer Lucy Joy Altus, famously known as Maryanne on tour, announced to the crowd to rise while she sang the Draag National Anthem. Throughout the strangely patriotic song, “The Black Parade” took the stage. Guitarists Frank Iero and Ray Toro, lead singer Gerard Way, and bassist Mikey Way face the crowd, set in character and ready to give the audience exactly what they came for. The beginning notes of the opening track, “The End.” began to ring out throughout the stadium walls and the audience lit up.

Watching “The Black Parade” being performed from front to back was an experience I will never forget. This album was a staple for me while growing up as an ‘emo’ kid for a multitude of reasons. The storytelling throughout each song, Gerard’s impeccable lyricism and vocals, and
of course the insanely complex instrumentals in some of the heavier tracks all combined created one of the most perfectly composed records I have ever heard in my life. Notably, the tracks “Sleep” and “Famous Last Words” have always been my favorite two off the record. However, seeing them live might have made them some of my favorite songs of all time. From the blue and red flashing lights, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero’s shredding in the beginning, and Gerard Way’s powerful screams in “Sleep”, this song was nothing but breathtaking to watch. Alongside that, “Famous Last Words” was the definition of My Chemical Romance. The band was illuminated with flames on the stage as they sang out to an audience that was sending the same energy right back at them. There truly was a time during this song where I sat in awe and thought about how grateful I am to have this band in my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the night went on, I began to realize that this was more than what I was expecting from a My Chem concert; this was a show. After the final drum beats of “Welcome to the Black Parade” rang out through the stadium, it was time for, what the fans have called, the execution. Gerard urged the audience to hold up their “YEA” or “NAY” signs and vote for whether they believed the group of people showcased on the B-stage should be shown mercy or forced to meet their ends. The crowd spoke, the men on stage dropped, and the show continued as if nothing had happened.

A large element to the Long Live the Black Parade tour is centered around a rather ambiguous story. At face value it is obvious that MCR is performing as ‘The Black Parade’ and carrying a story as they do so. But fans online have been able to connect small and sometimes hidden details that the band continues to incorporate at every tour date. From punching in their timecard while entering the stage with the coined character, “The Clerk”, to introducing an entirely new verse in the song “Mama”, there has been so much to unpack. Whether we will get the answers or not to our abundance of questions just from this point in the tour alone is unclear, but there is no doubt in my mind that the story won’t continue.

As ‘The Black Parade’ neared the end of their performance by singing a reprise of “The End.”, the audience was shown once again the mind that Gerard Way has. A 1920s styled clown waltzes onto stage and dances throughout the rather eerie rendition of the song. As the track begins to close, he grows closer to Gerard, reveals his dagger, and ends the life of the lead singer of the Black Parade. The crowd screamed in fear and surprise as the rest of the band got ushered off stage with black cloths over their heads and an ending they never would have expected. The whimsical track, “Blood” began to play and the clown on stage danced around as if the act he just committed didn’t traumatize the crowd in front of him. He ended the song quite explosively, and finally, “The Black Parade” was finished.

However, that was not nearly the end of the show.

The audience is given a beautiful cello solo intermission performed by Clarice Jensen on the B- stage. This transition not only felt needed after the gorgeous chaos that occurred on stage beforehand, but also showcased the impeccable talent of Clarice Jensen. While the solo concluded, My Chem had entered the B-stage as the New Jersey ensemble we all recognize. As someone who has been following the tour since it began, I knew I was in for a rollercoaster when it came to the B-stage setlist. After experiencing the whirlwind that was the Metlife show, I knew quite literally anything was on the table for Philly. However nothing could have prepared me for hearing the opening notes to “Headfirst for Halos” as it was performed for the first time on this tour. Followed by tracks such as “Bury Me in Black”, “Heaven Help Us”, “Destroya” and “The Kids From Yesterday”, the night somehow kept me saying, “This is crazy!” Each song on the setlist was performed with so much palpable love and passion for their work and it one hundred percent translated to the audience. My Chemical Romance has always been my all time favorite band and seeing them play this show only solidified my love for them even more. Starting off as just a few guys from New Jersey to now playing stadium shows around the world, My Chem has proved themselves to be the voice of a generation. Until they return, I think it is safe to say that we as an audience will carry on.