BLACK PARADE TOUR 2026
Article by Caiden Van De Grift
Photo by Bryce Hall
The Black Parade has come to Phoenix, Arizona
My Chemical Romance brought The Black Parade to the city of Phoenix, Arizona, and brought an amazing theatre performance mixed with a concert. It began with an out of this world performance by Jimmy Eat World, with some of the best audio mixing I have heard at a concert, which carried over to My Chemical Romance’s show. Jimmy Eat World brought the hype early by playing their hit song “The Middle” as their third song, and continued the same energy for the rest of their set.
There was a rather quick turnaround of 40 minutes between Jimmy Eat World and My Chemical Romance. While we were waiting, some messages were displayed on screens, including “Draag is not your friend. All displays of grief are subject to their proper inspections. As per usual, panic will be assigned.” Additionally, some messages were shown in the fictional language of Keposhka, the language of Draag. While the messages were playing, a screen above the stage read “now summoning prisoner…” and was constantly changing.
To begin the show, we were greeted by members of the government of Draag, with opera singer Charlotte Kelso singing live for us. After that, they played some well known songs to fit the story they have been telling throughout the tour. A digital background offered us a small window to the city of Draag, which was in ruins.
Photo by Bryce Hall
During Welcome to the Black Parade, the group known as “MCR AZ fan project” went all around the stadium, handing out pieces of colored paper for us to hold during the song. When it was all put together, it made the flag of Arizona. Most of their past shows had the crowd hold an election during “Welcome to the Black Parade.” However, this time was different–there was no election, and the show continued.
Photo by Bryce Hall
Many other theatrics were put on, such as a giant eyeball lowering from the sky to watch them, Gerard Way delivering a replica of his own decomposing head, as well as eating something off the floor, only to show his face covered in blood. During “Mama,” we got to see the use of fire and other pyrotechnics, which is not often used in AZ due to the high fire danger. Similarly, during “Famous Last Words,” we got to see one of the members of the government lit on fire and running across the stage, as the screen behind them began to show the burning of Draag.
Photo by Bryce Hall
The first half was coming to an end, but not before a body was rolled out on a hospital gurney, under a blanket. Gerard went up to it and got on top of the body with the knife, and when he pulled down the blanket, it was revealed he was a member of the black parade. The member and Gerard got into a fight, where they both got stabbed, but Gerard ended up winning by choking out the member of the black parade. As a symbol of Draag finally burning down, the fascist government was defeated.
Between stage changes, cellist Clarice Jensen played her song “Metastable,” which resembled a song played at a funeral, almost like a death song for Draag.
After that, the band played on a much smaller stage, which I saw as a metaphor for them building themselves back up after taking down the government of Draag. Throughout this part of the set, they played songs like “Na Na Na,” “I’m Not Okay,” “Helena,” and “Thank You for the Venom.” It surprised us that they played “The Only Hope for Me is You” for the first time on this tour, and “The Light Behind Your Eyes” live for the first time ever, before ending an over 2 hour long set.
Photo By Bryce Hall
In all, this was one of the best shows I have ever been to: the music, theatrics, sound, mixing, and everything in between. My Chemical Romance sounds the same, if not better, after 20 years. They are a band that ages like fine wine for all fans of emo, rock, and all things early 2000’s. And if you enjoy any of those things, you must see My Chemical Romance the next time you can.
Full Setlist-
Over Fields (The National Anthem of Draag)
The End.
Dead!
This Is How I Disappear
The Sharpest Lives
Welcome to the Black Parade
I Don't Love You
House of Wolves
Cancer
Mama
Sleep
Teenagers
Disenchanted
Famous Last Words
The End.
B-Stage-
Metastable
(Clarice Jensen song) (performed by Clarice Jensen)
I'm Not Okay (I Promise)
Boy Division
The Only Hope for Me Is You
(tour debut)
My Way Home Is Through You
Helena
Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us
Thank You for the Venom
Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
The Foundations of Decay
The Light Behind Your Eyes
(live debut)
Setlist cited by Setlist.fm