While millions tuned in to watch England's World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway on July 11, Carly Hacon headed to Wembley Stadium for the third night of My Chemical Romance's 2026 Black Parade tour. She says she has no regrets about skipping the football.
A Night of Emo Legends
The band is revisiting their seminal album for its 20th anniversary, complete with a fresh concept and impressive staging. The gig is split into two parts. The first tells an elaborate story of a fictional band, The Black Parade, performing in the fictional country of Draag – a dystopian state inspired by the Soviet Union. The show includes everything from a mock execution to clowns running around the stage covered in blood, described as an emo version of Take That's The Circus tour.
There are stunning pyrotechnics, with fireworks going off over the stadium and fizzling overhead on strings. The tour expands on concepts from the original 2007 Black Parade tour, with fuzzy, 70s-style propaganda videos and a storyline as the band marches around in double-breasted uniforms.
Nods to Football and Standout Performances
There are nods to the football – frontman Gerard Way lounges about reading a book called 'Balls', while the Grand Immortal Dictator dons goalie gloves and tosses a football. Gerard dances with cast members, fully embodying his character with flouncing speeches and leading the audience in a public vote.
MCR works through their third album, with standout tracks like Welcome to the Black Parade and Teenagers getting the whole crowd on their feet. The highlight is Famous Last Words, accompanied by spurts of fire and an ominous countdown clock, leading to a spectacular conclusion. A shoutout goes to opera singers Lucy Joy Altus and Charlotte Kelso, playing The Clerk and Marianne.
Surprise Set and No Regrets
After a brief intermission, the band appears on the B-stage in the centre of the stadium for a surprise set of famous tracks and some never played live before. The set includes I'm Not Okay (I Promise), Helena, and Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na), with plenty for Danger Days fans.
Hacon heard the news of England's victory against Norway when safely back home. She says: 'I'm just as happy knowing the score after the fact and having spent a few hours of my life in the presence of emo legends – and with memories of a concert I'll never forget.'
