More on: Paramore

Date: 06/09/07
Rating:

As the music classified as emo continues to expand its kingdom across the globe, tonight there is no doubt as to who this kingdom's princess is - Hayley Williams. With the backing of her boys - all clad in matching orange skinny jeans - Paramore seem intent from the off of ripping the Astoria a new a hole through the power of RAAAAAWWWWKKKK.

As the band bound on stage, Williams is every inch the emo cheerleader. A rock majorette if you will, goading the sell-out crowd into sing-a-longs and hysterical dancing throughout the duration of tonight's brief set. Opening with their last single 'Misery Business' and stand-out single 'Emergency', from first album 'All We Know Is Falling', this is pure ballsy crowd harassment that every member of the audience is loving.

All members of the band who are able to cavort around the stage like some sort of troupe of mischievous imps and rock out like Bill and Ted at every available opportunity - the energy and intensity of the performance is maintained at a feverish level throughout. An extended version of 'Woah', 'For A Pessimist I'm Pretty Optimistic' and 'Crush', along with everything else played tonight, go down an absolute storm and see the crowd hanging on every beautifully sung word out of Hayley Williams' mouth.

Despite her tiny frame, Williams has the lungs and attitude of someone three or four times her size, that sees her hold the collective here tonight in the palm of her miniscule hand. The interaction with the crowd, although at some points saccharine sweet, appears genuine and sets out Paramore's stance as a down to earth, humble band grateful for everyone's presence here this evening.

As the quintet rip their way through the rest of the set, the intensity of the performance sees no sign of dying down and, if anything, keeps increasing as time presses on up until a point when it's hard to see where else they could take it to.

After a very brief breather, Paramore return to the stage for their encore of latest single 'Hallelujah' and 'Pressure'. Everything is cranked up to a couple of notches past 10 that no-one even knew were there, with the assistance of some acrobatics, until the sweaty mass of bodies in front of them are bouncing along as one. When the music stops though, the crowd continue to keep buzzing and head outside in each other's arms knowing they've seen something very special this evening. Paramore are undoubtedly a great band that need to be seen live to be fully appreciated, and if tonight is anything to go on, they can't be back over this side of the pond soon enough.

Russell Powell

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