SHOW REVIEW: “LONG LIVE” The Black Parade North American Stadium Tour — San Francisco, CA — 7.19.25
I was in the 6th grade when my childhood friend and I swapped CDs (this means “exchanged physical copies of albums” for my younger audience). I let them borrow my copy of Linkin Park’s 2003 album ‘Meteora’, and what I got in return was the newly released album by My Chemical Romance, ‘The Black Parade’.
Fast-forward almost two decades, and MCR is now celebrating the 20th anniversary of ‘The Black Parade’ with a monumental 11-date tour they’ve dubbed the “LONG LIVE” The Black Parade Tour. On July 19th, the second date of the tour brought them to Oracle Park in San Francisco, Transylvania for an intense, theatrical stadium performance that gave ‘TBP’ the treatment it truly deserves. Part rock show and part dystopian stage play, the night was packed with pyro, skits, and even a “live execution.”
Upon entering the stadium, attendees were handed red and black double-sided signs. The red side said “YEA,” while the black side read “NAY” (more on that later). All around the venue, Soviet-inspired propaganda “rules” flashed across the screens. The vibe was set before a single snare hit, and at exactly 8:25 PM, that snare hit. On the second stage, a blind woman dressed in red appeared and instructed the crowd to “all rise for the Draag National Anthem.” As “Over Fields” played, MCR, dressed in their iconic marching band attire, took the main stage, kicking off with “The End” before launching into “Dead!”
“We are The Black Parade!” Gerard Way announced in a heavy, Russian-like accent. For the next hour and twenty minutes, the band performed ‘The Black Parade’ front to back.
After “Welcome to the Black Parade,” the attention shifted back to stage two for an “election” (execution). The crowd was now voting on the fates of four hooded figures who had “dared to question the longevity of their beloved and handsome dictator.” This was where the “YEA” and “NAY” signs came into play.
“I see an overwhelming ocean of red,” Gerard said, sparing the hooded figures—briefly. A phone call from the dictator overruled the vote, and a firing squad appeared on stage. “Ready, aim, fire.”
After wrapping the album with “Famous Last Words,” the band performed “The End” once again, this time with the full production including fire and confetti. That’s when a killer clown appeared onstage and stabbed Gerard Way. The rest of the band was dragged away by officers, marking the end of the first act.
The stadium went black for a few moments, then a single beam lit up the second stage. Cello player Clarice Jensen stepped into the spotlight for a mesmerizing solo. Soon after, My Chemical Romance returned to the second stage; this time as themselves, dressed down in normal clothes and stripped of theatrics.
What followed was a 10-song set full of fan favorites: “Thank You for the Venom,” “I’m Not Okay (I Promise),” “Summertime,” “Na Na Na,” “It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It’s a Fucking Deathwish,” “Sing,” “Boy Division,” and “Helena.” Interestingly, the second half of the set was noticeably different from the Seattle opener.
They even dropped a cover of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” a song Gerard said gave him a “religious experience” during the pandemic.
The band closed with “The Kids From Yesterday,” which felt like the perfect way to end the night.
I walked out of Oracle Park feeling like I had just experienced the fastest 2 hours and 20 minutes of my life. This wasn’t just another concert—it was a live visual experience that brought ‘The Black Parade’ to life — for many for the first time. The tour lived up to the already high expectations I walked in with. If it’s coming to your city, don’t miss your chance to witness something genuinely special.
