With a band that’s been quoted as saying they want to “save people’s lives,” it just takes a quick survey of My Chemical Romance fans to realize that this New-Jersey five-piece may just have succeeded.
In the front row alone, fans had made the pilgrimage from as far away as New Zealand and Finland, and the pit was packed with the the faithful, some of whom had camped out the night before for the right to claim their piece of the rail.
With news that the band would take an extended break to rest and record their next album, several fans took this current tour as an opportunity to follow the group around the country, while others had seen the group at concerts numbering into the double digits.
After a fiery performances by Billy Talent and Drive By, the scene was set for an explosive set by New Jersey’s favorite makers of “violent, dangerous pop,” and as the band took the stage, a rafter-shaking roar erupted from the house.
Lead by frontman Gerard Way, the band wasted no time launching into a tight set honed by nearly two years of touring in support of their 2006 release, The Black Parade. Chocked full of the fan-favorites, the performance had the audience members testing their lung capacity as they sang along to every song, from start to finish.
Compared to their support of The Black Parade in late 2006 and 2007, this performance was decidedly more low key in visceral impact, with much less of the theatrics and bombastic dressings of the past tours.
In place of the black marching band uniforms of their Black Parade personas, the band’s attire on stage was casual. Way sported a weathered denim jacket and his younger brother Mikey rocked his signature “Mikey Fucking Way” shirt, while Ray Toro plugged openers Drive By wearing one of their tees.
The set list included a rundown of the band’s anthems, including “I’m Not OK (I promise),” “Teenagers,” “I Don’t Love You,” and the closing “Helena,” in addition to a small selection of band-favorites and lesser-known tunes.
Introducing “Welcome to the Black Parade,” Way made an open invitation to the audience. “I’d like you to sing this next jam with us,” asked the singer, adding facetiously, “We only write jams, not songs.”
As Way sang the eponymous track to band’s 2006 release, he plead, “I’m just a man, I’m not a hero / Just a boy who’s meant to sing this song / Just a man, I’m not a hero.” Even as they chanted along, there were 2,300 fans eager to disagree.
Photographer’s Notes:
This set was extremely challenging to photograph due to a combination of the lighting, stage setup, and constant movement by the band on-stage.
A pair of monitors flanking his mic stand at the edge of the stage seemed to keep Gerard Way from launching into the audience, and the singer performed with a foot up on one of the speakers for almost the entire set.
Ray Toro played about a meter back from the front of the stage and kept a tight orbit near his mic stand to deliver support on vox, while Mikey Way and Frank Iero also played slightly farther back from the stage.
I shot in the pit with three other photographers and a number of watchful security personnel. Despite the fairly deep photo pit, there was generally a lot more chaos in the alley than usual as the photogs scrambled to work angles on Gerard with the available light.
Lighting:
Two arrays on either side of the stage angled in toward Gerard Way, providing a strange combination of warm white side/back lighting. These hot lights flared up individually and also in combination, which made anticipating the timing all the more tricky.
While the two side arrays provided the primary light source, washes of blue from the front and cool white light from the back provided accents for the band. A generous amount of smoke filled the stage to fill out these lighting effects as well.
Overall, the lighting effects for this show were very atmospheric.
Exposure & Metering:
Exposure for this set was all over the place, with the ISO ranging everywhere from ISO 2000 to 6400. I shot at f/2.8 for the entire set and shutter speeds ranged from 1/80 to 1/500. Overall, I tried to keep the shutter speeds high to compensate for the activity of Way on stage.
Lenses & Exposure:
I shot with the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 and Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 on the Nikon D3. The latter lens saw very little use and I heavily utilized the midrange zoom for this one.
I was expecting to shoot with the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 for some dramatic ultra-wide shots, but the band’s fairly distant position on stage never created the right situation for the lens.
End Notes:
I’d like to give a big shout out and thanks to some fine people who kindly provided some great info in preparation for this gig: Emily, Aloysius, Clara, Charline, and Heather.
I’m looking forward to seeing My Chemical Romance rest up and come back at full force after they break from touring to record their next album. You guys bring the rock and the big, bright lights, I’ll bring my camera.
26 Comments Add your own
1. Billy Talent @ the Pagean&hellip | May 5th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
[…] a thrashing, powerhouse set, Billy Talent served as the perfect high-energy opener for headliners My Chemical Romance in their sold-out […]
2. Sandy Sagitto (Substream) | May 5th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Had to leave a note about MCR!! Great shots - incredible show!!! I had the pleasure of meeting Gerard backstage after the show - and he is definitely a class act both on stage and off!! And once again Todd, your shots have captured that special energy emerging at the Pageant last Saturday night!!
3. Todd | May 5th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Hey Sandy,
I’ve got to ask, how did you manage to get backstage? I’m sure you beat out a lot of fans who would have love that opportunity.
Thanks very much for your thoughts on this set, glad you enjoyed the images and that they captured the energy of the show.
4. Will Wilkins | May 6th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Awesome shots. I am sure the show was amazing too!
5. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Hey Will, thanks! It’s always fun seeing a completely packed house singing along to every word and erupt with such energy at the opening bars of their favorite songs.
6. Diana | May 6th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Sounds like you had quite the challenge this time! But, as always, great results. I’m considering seeing them when they’re in NYC — not my type of music, but this would be an interesting pop culture study! (I’m an anthro / sociology major.)
7. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Hey Diana, “challenging” is one way of putting it. As you can see, the lighting was an “interesting” aspect of the set… But I’m glad to hear you like the shots.
They’re playing Madison Square Garden in NYC, right? If you end up shooting, I can only hope that the lighting gods are more kind.
I’m sure the crowd that night would make for a great study, lots of interesting and friendly people.
Thanks for your comment.
8. lynn | May 6th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Just fyi, it’s Gerard. Not Gerrard.
9. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
My bad, Lynn. Thanks for the correction.
10. Chris | May 6th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
As usual, you’ve capture the best of the performers. I was surprised to see you didn’t use the 14-24, either (I was thinking the 4th one down from your opening paragraph may have been one) — but you can’t really control the set now, can you?
Regardless, the 24-70 seemed pretty fruitful, to me, and, again, I enjoy those wide angle shots! Awesome facial expressions freezing moments, too.
11. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Hey Chris, thanks very much for the comment. I was fully expecting to use the 14-24mm for some ultra-wide shots of Gerard, but unfortunately he never really came out to the edge of the stage, and certainly not long enough to justify the lens change.
I had heard that Gerard went into the crowd during the first couple of songs at a couple of previous dates on this same tour, but we got no love.
That 4th shot down is just 24mm on the D3 – which is pretty wide, just not ridiculous like the 14-24mm.
Thanks again for the comment, I really appreciate it.
12. Chris | May 6th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Man, even at 24mm that picture is bogus! I love it. I guess I was/am used to shooting that 28mm on my D80 that it was an effective 42mm, so you get an extra 18mm. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be to really *shoot* with a 14mm. You looking into getting another D3 body? I think I read somewhere you were looking for one once the price comes down, and certainly would allow you far less lens changes..
13. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Yup, after shooting with the D70 and then the D2x for years, sometimes I forget how wide 24mm can be.
When I shot film on my FM3a, I had a 28mm f/3.5 and a 24mm f/2.8. The 24mm was a great lens for travel, and what I thought was really wide, and I recall thinking that 20mm was ridiculously wide.
It’s all relative.
I would be interested in another D3, but I don’t know if I can justify the expense. Though, if my contact in Japan can really get them used for the price he said, it would be very tempting.
If the rumors of a Nikon D10 – basically a D300 body with a D3 sensor in it – are true, and it sells for around $3000, that would be a very nice option as a lightweight/second body.
14. Chris | May 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Oh wow. See, I don’t keep up on that stuff on a very regular basis. That sounds crazy. The d3 and d300 just came out recently.. when would they be expecting the d10? And honestly, how would they make it for such an inexpensive price? Would there be some things it couldn’t do that the d3 would be able to? That’s ridiculous.
15. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Hey Chris,
Some rumors are anticipating a few new Nikon releases around the time of the Summer Olympics, which is the perfect time to show off new products.
In the case of a D10, I’m sure there would be some market differentiators, otherwise Nikon would cannibalize sales of the flagship.
16. Solange | May 6th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Todd,
I just loved reading your review. It made me feel I was almost there. Mum loves MCR, the kids did this to me. I am nearly on double digits on my MCR gigs. I have been to so many.
I am sorry the night was a tough one for you on the lighting side. All I can say is… you still got some pretty amazing shots. Love them all.
17. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Hey Solange, I think that’s great that you can share in the music of your boys! When they’re rockstars, mind if I tag along on tour?
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the write-up, too. I never aim to critique the music, but just provide a little context for the images, so I’m glad the words and images put you at the show!
Thanks for the feedback on the images, too. There are a few images I’m satisfied with, but wow, the lighting was difficult.
18. Krystina | May 6th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
*wishing I were Sandy* ~ how did u manage that??? There were a ton of people getting on & off their bus & coming out from the backstage door that didn’t seem to be part of the crew… i’m guessing family/friends of staff???
~kryssi
Anyway, Todd you should be proud of your work - it seems you’ve captured a moment & energy that must have been very difficult (given the circumstances)… My many thanks!
19. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Hi Krystina, thanks for the feedback on the images, I’m glad you approve. Please feel free to share the link with any other MCR fans who you think would enjoy the images!
20. Tasha | May 6th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Ok, I’m not even commenting on the pictures, because they’re great as always… but rather, I’m commenting on the fact that you used the word “eponymous”. I have an English degree, and read constantly, and still had to look the word up. You never cease to amaze me, Todd.:)
21. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Hey Tasha. Thanks for stopping by, always nice to read comments from you (great new shots of Ludo, BTW).
I would like to thank R.E.M. for teaching me the word “eponymous.” Incidentally, seeing R.E.M. on their tour for Monster was the first concert I attended.
22. Chris | May 6th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
I second Tasha’s opinion on your word choice — it’s almost intimidating for me!
For example: “In the case of a D10, I’m sure there would be some market differentiators, otherwise Nikon would cannibalize sales of the flagship” — can you explain this a little more?
23. Todd | May 6th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Hey Chris,
What I mean is, if Nikon offered a the D3’s FX sensor in the D300’s form factor, the only meaningful difference would be the ergonomics, smaller form factor, lack of dual CF slots, and a few other small details.
For most, that wouldn’t be enough to justify the premium of the D3, assuming a D10 sold for around $3000 and the D3 maintained its market price.
If you look at the 5D, for years it offered what was arguably the best quality from the Canon line of DSLRs, but offered a distinctly different product due to its build quality, slow frame rate, etc. Thus, even at a market price between $2000 and $3000, it didn’t directly compete with the 1D and 1Ds lines.
24. Tegan & Sara @ the Pa&hellip | May 14th, 2008 at 12:01 am
[…] shot from in front of the barricade, which, thanks to My Chemical Romance on the previous night, was generously deep. After a streak of other shows with no pit, I […]
25. nick | May 21st, 2008 at 1:54 am
they are soo rockkk
26. nick | June 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
O M G!!!!!! they are sow ROCK on the STAGE welll i LOVE them so MUCH espacially GERARD WAY AND MIKEY WAY THIS SIBLINGS ARE MY OR EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD FAVOURITE BAND AND EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
speak up
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