Oh yeah, did I do a concert or two?

I said I'd elaborate on why the Monumentour wasn't a complete waste of money. Well it's wasn't a waste of money at all. It was freaking awesome and even with things seeming to only work against my enjoyment, enjoyment was had.

I went to the show, showing up before it began despite coming from the other side of the metroplex in rush hour. Fortunately, living here allowed for me to root out a way that avoided all of the show traffic. I had easy comings and goings. So I get there and, well... let's talk about the goings on surrounding as well as this show.

I drove in not facing any traffic. Looking off to the distance I could see a hell of a storm rolling in. Being the pluviophile, it only added to the electric energy I was feeling about the show. I got to the venue and was happy to realize that I'd missed the memo that parking was included with the price of the ticket. Upon getting into the venue I find the news of Paramore cancelling their set. Complete honesty I was so bummed I was a bit angry. They were, after all, the reason I bought the tickets to the show. Fortunately I had decided to familiarize myself with Fall Out Boy's latest album. At this point my love for live music had me completely stoked to see them as well.

My preoccupation with Paramore cancelling and my seat under the overhang allowed me to forget about that beautiful storm that was rolling in. Guess what? It rolled on in. Before either of the sets began a cheer started from the left side of the covered seating. I, sitting on the right, was clueless as to what was going on for a moment. The cheering got louder. I turn around to see a curtain of rain sweeping over everyone with lawn seats.

Look at those clouds.

It was in pretty intense. A good chunk of the lawn audience flooded the aisles seeking cover, where they stayed through the New Politics set. The rain didn't completely let up until well into FOB set. With the rain came lightning which caused the surge that cut the audio from the wolfers. New Politics, realizing that their set wasn't reaching much of the crowd, stopped and apologetically left the stage. For thirty minutes we waited for them to reboot. Reboot they did and NP came back and finished their set. Then the wait began again.

An additional thirty minutes of wandering...

what's behind the curtain?

It did eventually fall and boy was it sweet. These men came to play.

They took up the slack left by the poor disease ridden Hayley. The set up was quite elaborate. There were five monitors the were flying in and out as the songs changed. A platform set up with hydraulics for entrances. The four guys took the stage coming out of the platform and took no time jumping straight into the set.

Enter my ability to gush. The show was extraordinary. There was a so much chemistry between the guys. Every part of the stage gave you a little nugget to feast your eyes on. I looked up at one point and Pete and Joe had their heads together feeding off each other while they played. Patrick has this wonderful habit of rocking back and forth when he sings. There was even a point when Patrick totally missed a note just as the footage of Andy drumming was streaming. The look on Andy's face as he assessed what was going on was great. As was his expression when he decided to dismiss it and get on with his drumming. Not that he missed a beat.

Not being a die hard fan of Fall Out Boy allowed for me to be surprised by the artistry of the band. Listening to Pete play a part that showcased what can be done with a bass guitar was excited. (Good thing he's a song writer and all that.) Watching Andy play the drums as though the set was an extension of his body was dope. Patrick did not disappoint. He sang both his and Elton John's part of Save Rock and Roll. Which for some reason I thought would be done in the same key he seemed to be singing everything else. I was wrong.

I found that he can play guitar, piano, and (most surprising) the drums.

What's that? The best shot I was willing to get without forgetting to experience the show I was attending IRL. Andy and Pete feature the rhythm section.

Musicians that don't stop always give me butterflies. These guys aren't content with a desultory job.

My favorite moment came when the lights were cut low and the audience was reminded that we all had cell phones. Without any further prompting needed we pulled them out and had a moment from the 70s using our modern lighters to show participation and light the stage. Fall Out Boy performed the song to the light of our cell phone flashbulbs while we waved them back and forth. It was incredible.

I know I went to that show expecting to hear The Only Exception and Ain't it Fun but I can't imagine it being a better show. Fall Out Boy came and played an awe inspiring show. They had flash, pyrotechnics and the usual smoke to catch the light beams. They even threw a little distraction and managed to walk through the crowd while I was being told to look elsewhere. That show had me leaving the venue only to play their CD in the car on the way home. I would go see them again in a heartbeat. I am so happy I got to see that show.