My Chemical Romance are well and truly back, and it's no surprise that their comeback live shows have been receiving rave reviews. The emo lords are set to visit Australia to play a pair of very special shows as part of Download Festival, and it'll the first time the band has played outside of America since re-uniting.
Ahead of their highly-anticipated trip Down Under, we ranked the band's five best live performances, and what makes each performance so special - as well as why the band are one of the best live bands going around, even after their hiatus.
5. Live At Starland Ballroom - January 1st, 2005
When My Chemical Romance released their second album, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, in 2004, they were making a statement. The album saw the band go platinum, but it wasn't just on record that the band made waves - they did on the live stage as well.
Welcoming in the New Year in 2005 at Starland Ballroom in New Jersey, the band played a tight 11-song set, including fan favourites Helena and Vampires Will Never Hurt You. They finished with I'm Not Okay (I Promise), and given their performance of the track, we're not sure we are either.
4. Live From LA: Killjoys: Make Some Noise - November 22nd, 2010
By the time the band released their fourth album, Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys, the band was well-established as one of the best live bands in the world. It's shows like their album release show at the House Of Blues in California that helped to maintain this reputation.
Playing tracks from the new album, as well as tracks from The Black Parade and Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (and a cover of Bob Dylan), the band proved their live show was one not to be missed.
3. Reading Festival 2011
Reading Festival and My Chemical Romance have a history together. It was 2006 where the band first played the festival and had to win the crowd over, after having bottles thrown at them (seriously, don't do this).
Finishing with Welcome To The Black Parade, as well as covering Queen's We Will Rock You alongside Queen guitarist Brian May, the band pulled out all the stops for the show - and proved that they were worthy of headlining festivals, not only to festivalgoers, but to themselves.
2. The Black Parade Is Dead! (concert film) - Palacio De Los Deportes, October 7, 2007
Many My Chemical Romance fans say this is their best performance, and it's hard to disagree. Featuring the band's final performance as the Black Parade, it's as theatrical as you'd expect from the band.
The Black Parade Is Dead! captures everything that fans love about My Chemical Romance - the performance includes costume changes, lighting, confetti and more singalongs than almost any other band could inspire. What more could you want?
1. Shrine Exposition Hall, LA - December 12th, 2019
Was there any other choice than this?
After a long, long hiatus, people weren't sure how good My Chemical Romance would be live. After all, they hadn't played live for at least half a decade.
However, from the very first song, those lucky enough to be in attendance knew there was nothing to be worried about. The setlist featured all the fan favourites (with a sizeable part of the setlist coming from The Black Parade) and showed the world that My Chemical Romance were back in business. The songs somehow seem even more poignant, given all the time that's passed.
