Fall Out Boy at Subterranean

Feb 28, 2013 by Kathleen Devaney

Fall Out Boy@ Subterranean

Chicago, IL

February 4

For three long years, the haunting absence of Fall Out Boy’s hiatus left fans distraught. Wondering whether or not the band had broken up, especially

those of us who lived and breathed everything FOB. But as they say “Believers Never Die” and most of us knew FOB was far too exceptional of a band to just disappear.

On February 4, 2013, Fall Out Boy bassist, Pete Wentz posted a link on his twitter that answered all of our questions in just one tweet: “Fall Out Boy is back (yes, it’s true this time)”, an announcement that their new album “Save Rock n Roll” would be released May 6th and 7th worldwide, as well as a list of tour dates.

The very first Fall Out Boy reunion show was scheduled that same night at the Subterranean Room in the bands’ hometown of Chicago. This show would go on just 12 hours after their announcement and tickets for the show sold out in less than 5 minutes.

Fortunately, I was one of the lucky fans who had the opportunity to see their first show back as a band again. I waited outside for over an hour in the brisk Chicago cold, among other devoted fans. At times I resorted to doing jumping jacks in line with my boyfriend to try and keep warm. Apparently some fans had waited outside since noon time. Once inside, I fit into place about midway from the stage. The venue was cozy and small.

All of a sudden, Fall Out Boy walked burst on stage assertively like they had never left the scene. The intro to their “Infinity on High” hit “Thriller” began playing and the crowd went ballistic. Bodies were crashing into each other and fists were being shot in the air. “I Slept With Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me” and “A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More “Touch Me” were played next. These were great welcome back songs to our reunion.

Front man Patrick Stump poked fun at the audience for thinking the band had ever definitely ended. Stump’s new look and flowing, fun, onstage conversation was brilliant to experience. Bassist Pete Wentz explained that keeping the news of the reunion in the 2 hour set list was perfect!

The band played 24 hit songs that needed to be played and that we had been lusting to hear. The variety of songs was broad with hits like “Saturday” and “Chicago is so Two Years Ago” off their first full length album “Take This To Your Grave”, to newer songs like “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s an Arms Race”, “Thnks fr th Mmrs”, and “I Don’t Care”.itial show was a hard secret to keep, but one that was well worth it. He said that the band wanted their first night back as “the new Fall Out Boy of 2013” to be a night that could be shared in a more intimate setting with longtime fans and friends.

The energy coming from the Subterranean room on February 4th was jovial and powerful. Whether or not the band had ever parted from each other or from us, was no longer an issue because everyone was too busy crowd-surfing and screaming out the lyrics to the same Fall Out Boy songs we’ve always known and loved. This night was an unexpected gift to both Fall Out Boy and the fans. The gratitude and appreciation could be mutually felt.

Review & Photos by Kathleen Devaney