Paramore at the O2
From Franklin to Leeds, to London. At last, they arrive at the O2, feeling the fresh frost against their famous faces.
Streaming along the dome walls of the O2? Screaming fans chanting the one and only word: Paramore. Here they were to headline their third and all antic album, Brand New Eyes.
I didn’t really feel the ultimatum ”buzz” until I stepped onto the grounds that underlay the entrancing dome, treading fast through the bumper to bumper cars amongst the wavering fans, all of us like zombies being called to climax.
The rest was a red-letter blur.
Until Paramore hit the stage and the crowed roared in unison.
With their hit single “Ignorance” starting the show, we went completely nuts, crashing heads and slamming bodies, screaming lungs and throwing hands. The absolute note-perfect voice of the pink headed vocalist (Hayley Williams) struck a cord against the crowd, with an almighty cry of adoration from the fans and drag-a-longs filled in the stacks and stacks of the O2.
What really flipped the show to eleven was the acoustic version of “Never Let This Go”. From their first album, All We Know Is Falling, they highlighted its key song in beautiful acoustic, Josh Farro strumming lead guitar on a laid back sofa, as if they were in your living room, playing to you. Mobile lights were up, the whole of the O2 smothered in what looked like stars, circulating the stage.
But, in all honesty, what everyone was waiting for: “Misery Business”. Without a shadow of a doubt, just the beginning slamming on the bass and the riffs of the guitar, kicked an almighty applaud. A smashing encore.
It wouldn’t matter if you were closer to the ceiling than the stage. Or facing the back wall. There was nothing to separate the crowd from the band.
“You belong to us!” Were the very words Williams set amongst the most pleased crowd of 2010.
