Fall Out Boy brings the heat to Bristow, VA

Photo credits: Faith Nguyen

Nothing says summer like dressing up in all black to sit in the late July sun all evening. But last Wednesday droves of punk rock fans gathered at Jiffy Lube Live to do just that. Concert-goers dress in fishnets, combat boots, and an over 20-year-old collection of past tour merch could be found throughout the outdoor amphitheater on the hot, summer night. Anticipation, too, was burning, as many millennial rock lovers returned to the pit for Fall Out Boy’s So Much for Stardust tour, promoting their 8th studio album of the same name. After 5 years, the veteran band reemerged with a show that proved to be a thrilling and nostalgic journey through their highly successful career.

Early evening sets by Jersey-born Carr and Royal and the Serpent kicked off the show with high energy, setting the tone for a thrilling night of music. Next up was Bring Me the Horizon, an iconic British metal band, who promised an hour-long set of explosive performance. Kicking off with one of their newest releases, AmEN!, BMTH displayed not only their technical ability but also their genre-bending capabilities with the single’s surprising feature, Lil Uzi Vert. Despite the band’s peak popularity in the early 2010s, their stage performance quality and audience reception appeared far from dated. Lead singer Oli Sykes stole the show with powerful, gritty, screams and the perfect, punk-rock mane of hair for head banging. Demonstrating his love for his fans, he stopped during lulls to connect with fans and even performed a full song while wandering throughout the entire venue. Rabid screams shook the amphitheater as he descended the stage into the pit, and cell phone lights lit the lawn as fans gathered like moths to a flame at the chance to get close to the singer. After his lap around the crowd, Sykes returned to the stage to close out BMTH’s set with their two most popular hits, Throne and Can You Feel My Heart, concluding their performance in a whirlwind of hair flips and guitar riffs.

Bring me the Horizon

As the night grew dark, anticipation for the headlining act only grew. The crowd burst into cheers as Fall Out Boy’s remake of the Billy Joel Classic, We Didn’t Start the Fire boomed from the loudspeakers. Fans of all ages sang and danced along, all the while clutching their phones to record the long-awaited moment when the band would take the stage. At last, the moment arrived with a bang, as shimmering fireworks lit up the stage, revealing the 4 iconic musicians who had been with the band since its inception in 2001. Launching into their set with explosive energy and flashy pyrotechnics, Fall Out Boy seemed ready to prove that they are still powerhouses in the industry over 20 years later. They began with newer hits off their latest albums, and while well-received, it was the classic tracks from their earlier projects that truly ignited the crowd.

Between face-melting levels of fire, an impressive production of lighting, and a changing set that looked like something between a fantasy video game and an acid trip, it was hard to look away for even a second of their nearly 2-hour long set. Every band member made it clear that Fall Out Boy are veterans of performance. Dressed in a plain t-shirt and a baseball cap, Frontman Patrick Stump may just be the most unassuming punk rock singer ever. However, his vocal prowess was on full display, with high notes and deep growls with equal force, demonstrating his recognition as one of the most versatile vocalists of the genre. As always, bassist Pete Wentz, kept audience engagement high, effortlessly connecting with the crowd in between songs. Guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley held down the rhythms of Fall Out Boy’s signature sound while shining through with lightning-fast guitar riffs and drum fills.

Fall Out Boy’s setlist was a well-crafted journey through their entire discography, including a few surprise covers, that catered to both longtime supporters and newly convinced fans. Tracks like Sugar, We're Goin' Down, Dance Dance, and Thnks fr th Mmrs sent the crowd into a frenzy, transporting everyone back to a time when Fall Out Boy's music dominated the radio.

Despite the high-energy songs, fans seemed to be most touched by the more stripped-down, intimate moments of the night. An acoustic version of Fake Out was met with a sea of pink flashlights, an audience-organized tradition to show their collective commitment to the band. Stump made it clear how Fall Out Boy cared for their fans, taking time to share personal stories and express their gratitude for the support they've experienced over the years. Likewise, Pete Wentz provided some wisdom and insight into the band’s ethos. “Prioritize love, make art, and even recreate a Billy Joel song if you feel like it,” he said in reference to their newly released, modern version of We Didn’t Start the Fire.

In all, Fall Out Boy’s “So Much for Stardust” Tour brought an explosive and memorable night to Bristow, VA that showcased why the band remains a force to be reckoned with in the alternative music scene. From big, pyro-filled moments to intimate audience connection, the show was a perfect celebration of the band’s journey over the past 2 decades.