by Abbey Wilson

Arriving at the venue two hours before doors, before I even got off the T, I knew I was in the right place. People in dark clothes and brightly colored hair, a staple look of “scene kids” everywhere, were lined up all the way around the block, excitedly waiting to be let inside the venue.

Concert goers were let into the Paradise Rock Club around 7 p.m. This was my first experience at the venue and I was surprised by how small it was. The show was sold out and the floor of the venue was crowded. Even the balcony where I was standing was packed with enthusiastic fans.

The opening band was The Eeries, a four-piece rock band from Los Angeles, California, and the crowd seemed to enjoy them. It was clear that they had the audience excited and ready for the main attraction. A few people in the audience were already fans of The Eeries and were dancing and singing along, a welcome sight for any band.

After The Eeries’ short set, it was time for Gerard Way himself to take the stage. The anticipation in the air was tangible as the techs ran onstage and began to test the microphones and instruments. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.

Way’s new band, The Hormones, went onstage first. Notably, the keyboardist was James Dewees, the same man who had played for Way’s former band My Chemical Romance. Then, Way himself came into view, donning a blue suit and metallic red hair, resembling a young David Bowie. He was energetic and excited, telling the crowd how much he had missed them and thanking them for being there.

Way performed his new album, Hesitant Alien in its entirety, including a track that had only been released in Japan, “Television All the Time.” He also managed to include time for a few inspiring words in between songs. Before he played “Drugstore Perfume,” he talked briefly about getting out of where you grew up and how all of that is possible.

The most rousing moment of the night was when Way addressed the women of the crowd and told them that, “everyone at the top is deathly afraid of you young women” and that, “it’ll all slip away from the old, white dudes who are in charge of everything and the world will be a better place.” This speech was followed by him bringing a young girl onstage and having her play the tambourine for his next song.

Before playing, “Maya the Psychic,” Way also spoke about mental illness, stating that was what had inspired the song. He addressed both the strides that have been made as well as the advancements he believes still need to be made. Musicians revealing their opinions can often be a double-edged sword, but Way expressed optimism and had no problem being open with the audience.

Throughout the show, Way was energetic and excited, truly enjoying being on stage and performing. Even during slower songs such as, “Brother,” Way was electric, and he seemed delighted that the crowd knew the lyrics to many of his songs, despite the album’s recent release on Sept. 30.

It was a reunion of sorts, between the crowd and Way. He exited with immense energy flowing from both the stage and the crowd.