Fall Out Boy, Band On The Wall, Manchester

It’s a fitting setting for Fall Out Boy’s rawer material, the likes of live show regulars ‘Saturday’, ‘Grand Theft Autumn’ and a rare ‘Calm Before The Storm’ played out with an urgency that only a club space can ignite. Their more heavily-produced tracks enjoy the same elevation, crisper and clearer in this smaller space and bursting with energy. Carefully selected songs from 2015’s ‘American Beauty/American Psycho’ are delivered with an entirely new lease of life in line with more established fan favourites, and there’s a notable absence of 2018’s ‘M A N I A’. Instead, Fall Out Boy have delved into their past, pulling out the likes of ‘Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet’ to break all the emo hearts in the room.

It’s an intricate balance between nostalgia and relevance, played out with incredible mastery. The two new numbers showcasing the imminent ‘So Much (for) Stardust’ blend seamlessly into their most celebrated tracks, and there’s no reluctance on show to celebrate the heavy-hitting stalwarts ‘Sugar We’re Going Down’ and ‘Dance Dance’. For a band of their stature there’s no ego on stage, playing for - rather than to - their fans. It’s this that connects Fall Out Boy to their northern heroes most, in a show that embraces intimacy at its very core. This isn’t about the size of the room, but rather the power of a band that truly understand their fans, who aren’t afraid to build a show around that alone.

Photos: Nat Wood."}]

Tags: Fall Out Boy, Reviews, Live Reviews