Paramore at Rod Laver Arena
Photo Credit: Zachary Gray
Coming off their biggest headline show to date at the Domain in Sydney, Paramore kicked off their first of three shows in Melbourne, at an absolutely packed Rod Laver Arena. From the moment the doors opened to the arena, fans of all ages – both elder emos and newer members of the parafamily – raced to their seats or to the front of the stage; ready to strap themselves in for a big night ahead.
Joining Paramore on their Australia and New Zealand tour is singer-songwriter Remi Wolf, who like many artists nowadays, tapped a massive fanbase via a viral hit back in 2020. Coming onstage to Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas is You (flanked by festive inflatables), the Californian artist leapt headfirst into her supporting duties, with Liquor Store kicking off her set. Working the crowd seems to be one of Remi’s strong suits, with her telling the audience at one point to ‘give yourselves the permission to have the best night of your lives’ – which they were more than happy to do. Our personal fave track Sexy Villain was a set highlight, which was only topped later on by a cover of Frank Ocean’s Pink + White and newer track Soup. The dance party kept going with the funky Disco Man, while the track that started it all, Photo ID brought Remi’s set to a close on a massive high.
With the audience well and truly warmed up, it was time for Tennessee natives Paramore to kick it up a notch. With the audience awash in a soundscape and a spoken intro from frontwoman Hayley Williams, the twangy guitars of You First and The News from latest album This is Why cut through the arena and set the tone for the show. Bringing us back to 2007 with That’s What You Get, Williams conducts the audience into a singalong for the song’s bridge; with joint ‘woahs’ echoing around the venue. Addressing the crowd properly, we’re told ‘you have two hours to forget’ – forget the outside world, and just live in the moment. And that’s just what we do when oldie but goodie Playing God comes on next, which is closely followed up with Caught in the Middle – complete with coordinated dance moves.
Launching into some vocal warm-ups which evolve into ‘Low-key, no pressure’ – the funk-driven hooks of Rose-Colored Boy pull the audience to their feet for a huge dance-along, which is pushed further by the song’s extended outro featuring I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Thanking the audience for their latest album, This Is Why, going number one in Australia, the track made for everyone who is always late, Running Out of Time is up next, which saw Williams mock-running across the stage – her never-ending energy on show. The tone shifts as the stage’s bright, neon lights and effects dim to a dark blue, before guitarist Taylor York starts plucking the opening notes to the band’s first entry into a film’s soundtrack – Decode. Needless to say, the crowds absolutely erupt into screams, yelling each lyric back at the band. As easily one of the night’s highlights, it was this moment that made the night so much more special.
Bringing the audience back down to earth, slow-burner Last Hope saw phone lights up and swaying in unison, which were replaced by pinky fingers for next song Big Man, Little Dignity (‘just a song about large men with little dicks’). Hayley, Taylor and drummer Zac Farro disappear offstage, to reappear shortly on an elevated platform to perform the slower, moving tracks Liar as well as Hayley’s solo track Crystal Clear. The catchy-as-anything Hard Times shifts the set back into overdrive, as the overhead set pieces move, and pyro goes off at the song’s climax. Hayley asks ‘Are you ready to rock out?’ before launching into one of our set faves, Figure 8, which goes hard and sees the area jumping in unison. One of the greatest love songs written The Only Exception is dedicated to the audience, as sparklers drive home each word, before dry ice spills out over the stage into the audience for Crave. At this point, we couldn’t help but feel the song’s lyrics ‘future and the past connecting’ were perfectly summing up the show – with the set being filled with an incredible blend of old and new songs.
It was Zac’s time to shine, as he stepped out from behind his drum kit to play one of his own originals (from his solo project HalfNoise), Baby, which was a fun moment of the show, before things really started to ramp up. We’re taken back to 2007, to a time when a lot of us were wearing skinny jeans and heavy eyeliner – which is how Paramore set the scene before ripping into the opening riffs of Misery Business. Mega fans Lauren and Julia are the lucky pick of the night; brought up onstage for the bridge and final chorus. Their admiration and love for the band is heartwarming and has the audience watching in awe, as the two friends spend their last show of the tour up on stage with their idols. With the singalong carrying on for the gospel-driven Ain’t It Fun (with the audience singing the choir’s part), the show begins to wind down as Paramore exits the stage before their encore.
With the audience screaming their hearts out for more as a montage video plays in the background, Paramore return for a huge encore; thanking the audience for being present, and for all their love over the years. The sugary sweet Still Into You starts off a chorus from the audience, with all punters swaying together in the crowds. Before we know it, the last song of the night rolls around; with the single that signalled another evolution, This Is Why, acting as the perfect conclusion to an incredible setlist, performance, and overall experience. It was nights like this that reminded us it was never just a phase – there will always be a place in our hearts for Paramore.