My Chemical Romance steal show

Having seen My Chemical Romance (MCR) twice before, once in May of 2005 when they opened up for Green Day at the John Labatt Centre (JLC) and another time when they headlined the same venue in November of 2005, the musical progression and budding talent of the band became very evident after seeing them live once again.

Headlining the ninth installment of The Night 89X Stole Christmas at Cobo Arena in Detroit Michigan, on Thursday, December 14, MCR concluded an energetic concert, which also included performances by OK Go, Angels and Airwaves and Taking Back Sunday.

Playing an assortment of songs from their second studio album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (2004) and their latest release The Black Parade (2006), MCR had the entire energized crowd fist pumping in unison to their performance.

As we did when we saw MCR at the JLC, my buddy and I worked our way to the front, squeezing and shuffling our way all the way to the first row. With our chests literally pressed against the metal gate, we could look up and basically shake hands with the lead singer Gerard Way.

Highlights from MCR's show included the performances of their latest single “Welcome to the Black Parade,” as well as former hits “I'm Not OK” and “Helena”.

However, the thing that stands out for me about any MCR show is the fact that they sound better live than on a CD, or the radio, or iPod, or whatever device you listen to tunes on.

Starting the show off were a local band The Hard Lessons, followed by a quirky performance by OK Go.

Former Blink 182 guitarist and singer Tom DeLonge followed by fronting his new band Angels and Airwaves, and to my surprise were very effective and enjoyable to listen to.

Not expecting much from them, Angels and Airwaves had a very powerful sound, and displayed a unity that I did not think was possible from a band that in way, was mix-matched together.

Playing right before MCR were Taking Back Sunday.

Personally, I was not impressed. Although I did find myself regularly watching the lead singer Adam Lazzara, as he expertly threw his microphone high in the air on numerous occasions, catching it in his hand without missing a verse. However, I didn't pay to watch a guy show off his hand-eye-coordination skills.

Overall I was impressed by the annual Christmas show in Detroit. MCR was very solid, as they displayed their growing skill as a band, and Angels and Airwaves raised my eyebrows with their booming, Blink-esque sound.