LIVE REVIEW: PANIC! AT THE DISCO AT THE ALLSTATE ARENA

Brendon Urie and his band Panic! at the Disco. Always changing. Always evolving. All for the better, especially when it comes to live performance. 

Since the departures of guitarist Ryan Ross, Bassist Jon Walker and drummer Spencer Smith- it’s down to Lead vocalist / Songwriter Brendon Urie to carry all things Panic! by his lonesome.

And that he does in spades, what with a second stop in Rosemont (Chicago) since back in the fall of 2018, on his “Pray for the Wicked” tour.
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It’s basically the same show since the first time around, but with some tweaks and extra polish- more to add in regards to the Las Vegas glitz and showmanship throughout.

The screaming kids don’t mind, with parents in tow, what with his wholesome sense of humor and obvious good looks: a boy next door who makes it big and doesn’t forget his roots or where he comes from.

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That said, you can tell Brendon Urie puts a lot of time and energy into this touring production: sophisticated lighting, terrific staging, a band that blasts away at a moment’s notice, down to a horn section that can tear the roof off of the Allstate Arena when full on, as is the case with the song “Crazy=Genius”: a fire infested number that has everyone in the venue on their feet and dancing madly in place.

All things considered with Brendon and Panic! at the Disco: anything is possible in the presentation of his music, and it definitely packs a wallop.

Even when Brendon brought his band to JBTV  Music Television back in 2015- he scoped out our listening / taping room during soundcheck to get a feel from every possible angle if you were an audience member, to make you feel welcome, and part of the family, and part of the party.

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I guess that since then, nothing’s changed in his approach prior to performance, only on a much grander scale:  how do you reach and engage the persons sitting in section 215 and 216, the furthest reaches to the Allstate Arena?

It wouldn’t surprise me if Brendon himself ventured up there to give it a look from that perspective. That’s just the kind of guy he is.

So during the show you have to ask the question: how the hell does he hit those high notes each and every night? I swear the place goes crazy each and every time he does, and successfully.

And those damn catchy songs. During the show, there’s not one weak link in the bunch, and there’s plenty of songs to go through, over 28 in all, counting the encore.

Over the years, Brendon has metamorphosed into the definition of a showman’s showman: a ringleader of constant positive energy with an attitude to kick all ass.

Lets’s keep it simple: Go see the show. You won’t be disappointed — from beginning to end.

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Also, openers Two Feet and Betty Who brought the synth pop to the masses who showed up early in their abbreviated sets.

Panic! at the Disco’s setlist:
1. (Fuck A) Silver Lining
2. Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time
3. Ready to Go (Get me out of My Mind)
4. Hey look Ma, I Made it
5. LA Devotee
6. Hallelujah
7. Crazy-Genius
8. The Ballad of Mona Lisa
9. Nine in the Afternoon
10. One of the Drunks
11. Casual Affair
12. Vegas lights
13. Dancing’s Not a Crime
14. This is Gospel
15. Death of a Bachelor
16. I Can’t Make You Love Me — (Bonnie Raitt cover)
17. Dying in LA
18. The Greatest Show
19. Girls/Girls/ Boys
20. King of the Clouds
21. High Hopes
22. Miss Jackson
23. Roaring 20s
24. Bohemian Rhapsody — (Queen cover)
25. Emperor’s New Clothes

Encore:
26. Say Amen (Saturday Night)
27. I Write Sins Not Tragedies
28. Victorious

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Filed by Bobby Talamine
Photos by Bobby Talamine