Live on Thursday in Atlanta… it’s Paramore! After a long-awaited return, 10 years to be exact, our favorite band from childhood is back and ready to rage. At the State Farm Arena in the heart of the city, the “Misery Business” team is back for more with a sold-out show. Opening the show with a performance of “You First,” Hayley Williams is full of energy and high kicks as she struts across the ornately decorated stage.
A natural born performer, Hayley Williams is ready to give her all tonight in Atlanta. Hearts are soaring and voices are rising higher as the band continues with performances of “The News,” “That’s What You Get,” and “Playing God.” Songs that have been out for over a decade, Paramore is bringing nostalgia back to life. “Atlanta is that you?” Williams calls out to the crowd. “You might as well be home,” she begins. “We love coming to Atlanta. We love it, it feels wholesome.” After saying their thank you’s, “Caught in The Middle” from the band’s fifth studio album, After Laughter, ricochets through.
Paramore performs “Rose-Colored Boy,” another banger from their fifth album. Accompanied by “Running Out of Time,” and “Decode,” fans are on a time machine to some of their best Paramore moments. As a surprise to most Paramore fans, Williams sings out the first line to “Last Hope,” where the room illuminates with the crowd’s flashlights. Soon after, the room is crooning to “Big Man, Little Dignity,” and “Liar,” a live production for the ages.
For “Liar,” the band shifts to a backstage, where they stand and sit on a platform suspended against the backdrop from the “This Is Why” music video. The silhouettes of the band capture your eye as they shift to Williams’s song, “Crystal Clear.” The song, from her solo project (Petals for Armor), has the room screaming and clapping for more. The three-and-a-half-minute song rings out, and the band finds their way back to the main stage.
“Okay, let’s go see some of your talent.” Williams cocks a hand on her hip, looking around the room. Showcasing her vocal range and making the night feel like a warm welcome, Williams twirls and kicks around to “Told You So.” With an outro ode to Tina Turner, the show continues with “The Only Exception.” A wall of sparklers erupt from the background as the chorus rings out for the last time. “Can we have Zac Farro to the front of the stage?” With a performance of “Baby” from Farro, a member of HalfNoise, the retro vibes are here and they’re exceeding expectations. Edited snippets of Williams, Taylor York, and Farro pan across the screens in the arena, as fans are shouting for more.
“I’ve talked a lot tonight,” Williams laughed. “The fact that we get to come and play show to as diverse of a crowd as you are. It’s a joy and privilege, thank you for being here tonight.” The crowd bursts at the seams with joy, rooting for the three band members who shaped the way we view music. With an iconic performance of “Ain’t It Fun,” the band files off the stage and a short film begins to play. Featuring photos and behind the scenes footage of the last few years, Atlanta is screaming and crying for more Paramore. “Paramore! Paramore! Paramore!” Is shouted from the depths of the arena, and our favorite 5’2” vocalist is taking center stage again.
“Did you miss us? Because we missed you!” Williams shouts as the intro to “Still into You” begins to pulsate. Ending the show with “This Is Why,” I can’t help but say: I’m glad I left the house. Atlanta was just the steppingstone to Paramore’s North American tour. With support from Genesis Owusu and Bloc Party, you can expect not to have any hard times at a Paramore show.
Grab your tickets now while you still can and follow Paramore (@paramore) on Instagram to stay up to date on the band’s next move. Don’t forget to stream their latest album, This Is Why, which is available where you get your music.
Words by Kaylee Pickens
Photos by Chandler Bunzol
