My Chemical Romance Concert 6/12/07 in New Zealand

The lights dimmed, the band walked onto the stage, and the first guitar riffs were sent flying in a haze of screaming fans across the Auckland venue.

It was amazing, I was about 5m from the front, in the mosh pit. Bob Bryar (The drummer) sadly wasn't there, due to injury to his wrists while playing the Bon Jovi gig in America, yet it was amazing nonetheless. The remaining member's of one of the biggest rock bands today, performed impeccably.

The opening acts were Auckland local rockers Streetwise Scarlet and international hits Circa Survive, featuring the ex lead-vocalist from Saosin.

My Chemical Romance had performed in New Zealand before, at the huge music festival, The Big Day Out 2007. Yet this was their first official My Chemical Romance concert.

My Chemical Romance opened with "Give 'Em Hell Kid" from Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (2004) and closed with "Teenagers" from award-winning 2006 album, The Black Parade.

Although they didn't play any tracks from their first album "I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love" (2002), they however did play the bonus track "Desert Song" from 2005 DVD/CD special album "Life On The Murder Scene".

There was flames and fireballs reminiscent from The Black Parade video single "Famous Last Words", sparkle sprays from the ceiling, and even an old broken amp rigged up on the ceiling, filled with explosives, set to randomly go off during the acts.

The concert started at 8PM, doors opened at about 7:30PM, although I arrived in the waiting cue at about 6:15pm to get an amazing position.

It finished at approximately 11:40pm. There was band merchandise sold at 2 areas of the renowned venue, Vector Arena.

There were strict rules on what you were allowed into the arena, like any other concert, many people were stopped at security, including me, for their chained and spiked jewelery.
Over 8,000 dedicated fans attended the concert, my friend and I were just 2 of the many thousand.

I wouldn't trade the experience for the world, I managed to have a small screaming conversation with frontman and vocalist, Gerard Way. We were treated to a guitar solo by lead guitarist Ray Toro.

When Gerard informed us we were getting a solo, after he had told us, I screamed "RAY TORO!" Gerard repiled saying, "He's not ready yet guys, you'll get it soon."

That was the time of my life.

I managed to get a ticket back, from a big bin of scanned tickets, so that's a souvenir I have, along with my broken shoes. Whenever My Chemical Romance come to New Zealand, go along to watch and listen, it's sure worth it at only NZ$62.80 a ticket.