It was a hot, summer day in Santa Barbara as I waited oh so patiently at the Santa Barbara Bowl in the blazing sun to see one of my favorite bands. Ever since I was sixteen years old, I have been a fan of Panic! At the Disco and the beautiful voice of Brendon Urie. Needless to say, my dreams of seeing the band in concert came true this weekend as myself and two other friends made our way to the front of the crowd to see the performers up close. The legendary band, Weezer, closed the show and the upcoming act, Andrew Mcmahon in the Wilderness opened. While I enjoyed Andrew and Weezer, I must say that nothing could have topped Panic! At the Disco, but perhaps this is just my bias talking.
To begin the show, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness gave an ecstatic performance. With their brightly colored backdrop, inflatable balloon figures, and a parachute over the crowd to close, I could not have asked for a better opening act. They even did a cover of Dark Blue by Jack’s Mannequin. Odds are, you have probably heard of this band without realizing as their popular song, Cecilia and the Satellite (written for McMahon’s daughter) is often on the radio.
Andrew McMahon
From left to right: Me, and my friends, Alison and Victor
Once Andrew McMahon and his band performed, there was a thirty minute intermission for Panic! At the Disco to set up. After waiting so long to see this act, those thirty minutes felt like ages. But it was worth it.
Bredon Urie opening with Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time
Perhaps this most exhilarating feeling was the excitement and energy of the crowd as Brendon Urie opened with Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time which is the second song on his newest album, Death of a Bachelor. This was just the beginning of the most (in my opinion) spectacular high note. Brendon did not disappoint as he not only performed the majority of the songs from his brand new album, but he sang a few from Panic!’s past albums as well. From the iconic I Write Sins Not Tragedies from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out (2005) to The Ballad of Mona Lisa (Vices and Virtues, 2011) and Girls/Girls/Boys (Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die, 2013), both old and new fans were able to enjoy and sing along. As for theatrics, the act was completely satisfying with smoke machines, giant lights, shirtless drum solos, two back flips, and a nearly flawless rendition of Queen’s, Bohemian Rhapsody. All in all, each of the three bands were extraordinary, but Panic! At the Disco stood out as the “tough one to follow.”
Drum solo during Crazy=Genius.
Once Panic! At the Disco had finished, Weezer ended the night with performing old songs as well as songs from their latest White Album. I must confess that I only know about three songs by Weezer in total. However, I really enjoyed their performance as they kept the crowd engaged with confetti cannons, beach balls, and amazing visual effects. Rivers Cuomo even left the stage to play a guitar solo in the middle of the audience which was very cool.
Weezer performing King of the World.
Overall, this concert experience was certainly one to remember as I finally got to see one of my favorite band up close. Not only that, but I now have more music to look into for my playlist!
