Ain't It Fun: Paramore Throw Arena-Sized Party In Cardiff
Monday, 17 April 2023
Written by Laura Johnson
Photo: Zachary Gray
I wasn’t a fan of Paramore back when they broke through in 2005. I’d see them emblazoned on the covers of my favourite rock-leaning magazines during my teen years and dismiss them out of hand. I was too cool to like a group that appeared to be so mainstream. I was more concerned with “edgy” bands like Queen Adreena and Babes In Toyland. But what a fool I was. Better late than never, though, right?
As a relatively new fan at 37, I now appreciate their infectious hooks and earworm choruses, and I was impressed by the mixed bag of gig-goers at the Cardiff International Arena stop of their current UK and Ireland tour this weekend. Alongside pink cowboy hat-wearing pre-teens being hoisted onto their parents’ shoulders I saw hardcore fans dating back to day dot, one of whom showed me she was wearing the tour t-shirt from every Paramore show she’d ever attended (there were a lot of them and, yes, she was sweating).
The two-hour show opened and closed with tracks from their new record, ‘This Is Why’ — You First and the title track, respectively — and in-between delved into their much loved back catalogue for singalong fan favourites such as Still Into You, That’s What You Get, Decode, The Only Exception and, of course, Misery Business.
Photo: Zachary Gray
Vocalist Hayley Williams looked to the crowd for someone to join her as the latter song reached its fuzzbomb crescendo. Not content with picking just one person from the 7,500-strong sold-out crowd, she gave two lucky fans, Rhi and Caz, the chance to sing along with her. Showing what a true gem she really is, when Caz took an unfortunate tumble on stage Williams dropped to the floor alongside her and did her best impression of a dying fly. We must protect this woman at all costs!
The band, completed by guitarist Taylor York, drummer Zac Farro and long-term touring musicians Joey Howard, Logan MacKenzie, Joseph Mullen, and Brian Robert Jones, whom the singer lovingly introduced individually, were so tight that short of playing a backing track, it couldn’t have been much slicker. They served up a perfect backdrop for Williams’ dynamic powerhouse vocals, which never faltered. That being said, there was nothing clinical about their performance, and all the sharp edges you want from a rock show were still present and accounted for.
Photo: Zachary Gray
Giving everyone time to catch their breath mid-set, Williams took centre stage for a solo acoustic cover of Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief’s track What Can You Say, but despite a couple of runs at it, problems with her in-ear monitors meant it was cut short, though not before rapturous applause from the audience, who she had in the palm of her hand throughout. She confessed she’ll probably be thinking about the mishap the whole of the bus ride to their next gig in Scotland, but there was no need, she was spot on.
It was not the only solo offering Cardiff was treated to, though, as Williams also busted out a full band rendition of Crystal Clear from her 2020 debut solo LP ‘Petals For Armor’, and Farro previewed his new HalfNoise track Baby.
The whole event was a jubilant celebration, both of their music together and apart, reconciling the two to create an arena show with an intimate energy that often gets lost once bands climb the ladder to larger venues. From the opening chord until confetti rained down at the finale, Williams commanded the almost permanently smiling audience with true affection, no ego, and the kind of reckless abandon most of us only have as we prance about our bedroom with a hairbrush mic in hand. She is a rock star who was clearly born to do it.
Paramore's tour continues tonight at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
Paramore Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Mon April 17 2023 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Tue April 18 2023 - MANCHESTER AO Arena
Thu April 20 2023 - LONDON O2 Arena
Sat April 22 2023 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
Sun April 23 2023 - LONDON O2 Arena
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