There’s only one way to say it: I am addicted to going to concerts. Pandemic years aside, I normally attend about 10 shows a year, having attended nearly 70 shows in my life. This month was very rock heavy. Usually, I keep a good mix of rock and pop. This “review” will recount my experiences (all of which are completely biased) and hopefully will convince you to see a show soon!
Pierce the Veil, Sept. 9, at the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury
This is for the girls who went to go to Warped Tour in high school and made punk rock music their entire personality. I have seen Pierce the Veil seven times, and they have never disappointed me. Prior to the pandemic, the band took a break from touring to focus on writing new music. Fast forward to 2022, they had not toured in almost five years, the drummer was no longer in the band, and they only had one new song. This sounds like a recipe for disaster, but it was far from it. Their new song, “Pass the Nirvana,” goes back to their hardcore roots – it is the perfect song to crowd surf to! And as always, their energy didn’t disappoint; Pierce the Veil captivates their audience with their fast-paced energy, and at the same time, their shows are intimate and interactive. I absolutely cannot wait for their new album.
Harry Styles, Sept. 15, Madison Square Garden Residency Night 14 in Manhattan
Do I even have to say anything more than HARRY. STYLES. I had seen him twice before, once when I was 10 at the One Direction “Up All Night” tour and on Good Morning America right before the release of Fine Line (and I was two blocks away). To say I was excited would be an understatement. I worship the ground that this man walks on like many other Her Campus Pace members.
Multiple times during this show, I felt like my entire life had changed; my heart flew out of my chest at “Daydreaming” flowing into “Golden,” I sobbed during “Matilda,” laughed so hard multiple times (even cackled), and lost my voice screaming along to “Kiwi.” It was one of the best concerts I have ever attended. As I know very well, it is hard to see Harry without breaking the bank – but if you can, do not let yourself miss out.
My Chemical Romance, Sept. 20, Prudential Center in Newark
I waited for this for so long!! I “discovered” My Chemical Romance in the same year they broke up – I spent my entire teenage years thinking I would never see them, and every March 22, I sobbed and listened to their entire discography. My tiny emo heart exploded when they announced their reunion tour; I sat in my dorm room in 2019 and bought tickets the second they went on sale. Then the pandemic hit, and the tour got pushed back not once but twice, so I held my breath every time I thought about it until I was actually in my seat – until it was undeniably real.
This was and forever will be the best concert I have ever been to; nothing will ever compare. I cried happy tears seven separate times during their set. What made this reunion tour so special was how the setlist changed a bit every night. On top of that, this show was their first time back in their hometown since their breakup. Everyone in the crowd could feel how special the moment was for the band and their fans. I have never felt such collective happiness and excitement.
Panic! At the Disco, Sept. 23, Madison Square Garden in Manhattan
This was my third time seeing Panic! At the Disco, and I went into this show fairly blind. I had only heard one song from the new album. Brendon Urie played six old songs, the entire new album, and as always, he performed! Since his time in Kinky Boots on Broadway, his tours have had a show-tune flair. Watching him perform felt like watching a broadway musical and at the same time being a part of one. At one point, during “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” Brendon could not stop saying, “Are you kidding me?!” at how loudly and passionately the crowd was singing. It felt like we were all a part of a turning point in his career. His shows always feel like you are at a party.
Bring Me the Horizon, Sept. 24, Barclays Center in Brooklyn
If you want to see a hard rock show, Bring Me the Horizon is the band to see. Over the years, they have truly experimented with their sound – in the early days, they leaned towards the screamo side of the spectrum, evolved into a post-hardcore band, and lately have explored making digital music and incorporating it into their music. I find what makes this band special is their use of a keyboard in every song. Their most recent releases are post-pandemic and lyrically explore the questioning feelings we all are stuck in – is this the apocalypse, can we trust the media, why does the world feel so divided, and how can I feel safe and loved? Their music is raw, a bit of anarchy intertwined with traditional punk rock. I promise if you see Bring Me the Horizon, you will scream until you have no voice in the best ways.