If you were looking for proof that it was not just a phase, the roar of the crowd at the sold-out My Chemical Romance show at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, August 9th, 2025, should be evidence enough. Whether outside the stadium, in the hallways, the parking lot, or standing in the middle of the pit, there wasn’t a single song that night that wasn’t screamed at the top of everyone’s lungs. Every kick was headbanged, every move was applauded, and, most importantly, every command was followed.
PHOTO: SARAH WAXBERG
The emo rock band, formed in 2001, played shows all over New Jersey—from the coziest record stores to the filthiest basements. Now, honoring a fruitful career despite its many ups and downs, they not only rewarded their most loyal fans with a full performance of one of their most famous albums, The Black Parade, along with many fan favorites, but also received a major honor from their hometown. Making an appearance at the start of the show, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham greeted the crowd and presented the band with the key to the city. “[…] Revolutionary War soldiers, Purple Heart recipients, a Supreme Court justice, various professional athletes—never once in the history of Belleville have we handed out a key to the city, and that changes right now!” As Melham approached the band with the key to their hometown, vocalist Gerard Way expressed his gratitude by presenting him with a bundle of wheat from “their land” and a dead fish wrapped in cherry blossom branches—a staple of the city, found especially in Branch Brook Park.
After receiving the honorary mention and offering their gifts, the band moved on to their next theatrical act: killing people. Select audience members—the luckiest of fans—had been chosen beforehand to receive the “great honor” of being on stage, standing still with bags over their heads, and leaving their fate in the hands of the crowd. With playful interaction between the lead singer and the audience, and with the help of signs reading YEA and NAY, the entirety of MetLife Stadium contributed to the decision of whether the chosen fans would live or die. Ultimately, they were “executed” on stage by cardboard cutouts of military men.
Playful, witty, and deeply in character, the band has long been known for its dramatic performances. Still, it’s safe to say that Long Live The Black Parade is one of—if not the—most elaborate of their fictional works. Between metaphors and analogies that remain mysterious to most fans, the show featured Gerard Way eating (and repeatedly spitting out) pasta from a bowl, being slapped and “murdered” on stage, the band being detained and dragged off the podium by soldiers, and finally, a massive explosion that ended the first act of the night.
After performing The Black Parade in full and weaving in songs from across their discography, including Skylines and Turnstiles, The Ghost of You, and Vampires Will Never Hurt You, they closed with what they called the New Jersey anthem: Livin’ on a Prayer by local icon Bon Jovi.
The truth is, My Chemical Romance has never been only about the music—though they boast one of the greatest emo rock discographies ever. It’s also about community, and most of all, family. From the eternal merch lines to the endless bathroom lines, everyone was cordial and kind. Dressed in black, red, and splattered in blood and ashes, fans proudly carried the band’s legacy on their sleeves. What tied it all together was the confidence in the way they carried themselves. Chains, boots, bandages, hospital gowns, and white foundation were the go-to attire for many, and though most of the makeup was left inside the venue by the end of the night, the only thing visible on the way out was smiles.
The sense of community lingered even after the final encore. On the long walk to the parking lot and through the endless sea of cars, fans blasted the band’s discography from speakers, moshed to their catchiest riffs, and even played along on drums—refusing to let the night end.
With the promise of a possible new musical era on the horizon, Long Live The Black Parade is without a doubt one of the most impressive tours of the year—one that fans will remember forever. The tour will continue across North America before expanding to the UK and Mexico.