Panic! at the Disco's "Victorious" Death of a Bachelor Tour Stops by Phoenix

For nearly thirteen years, Panic at the Disco has been on the alternative rock scene changing their sound with every album. From the alternative anthems of their first album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out to the pop-infused songs of 2013’s Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die, Panic has definitely evolved as a band over the last decade but still stays true to themselves. Their concerts demonstrate their sound’s progression over time, especially during the most recent Death of a Bachelor Tour in 2017. The set included a few songs from each album, but it was focused primarily on their most recent album Death of a Bachelor released in 2016.

The concert was held on March 29, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix, home of the Phoenix Suns basketball team. The show was an all-ages event and the audience was primarily crowds of teenagers (or graduated college students who were reminiscent of their high school days). No matter the ages, the audience still contained constant energy and excitement throughout the entire night. The show began with Saint Motel; the alternative indie band displayed an image of an old television on the screens with the title of their opening song “Cold Cold Man.” Saint Motel continued their lively set with dance-worthy performances of “Puzzle Pieces” and the horn-driven “My Type.” The indie-pop group Misterwives came out next and delivered a colorful and energetic set as well. Their indie pop/alternative sound brought the audience on their feet during songs like “Reflections” and “Our Own House.” The two openers definitely set the tone for the night ahead with their engaging performances.

Panic! at the Disco brought excitement to the crowd before they came on stage by displaying a ten minute countdown on the arena’s screens. As the suspense grew within the audience the timer finally ran out, signalling the band’s entrance. Sounds of footsteps walking over a creaking floorboard filled the room with a mysterious vibe before the band members entered the stage and brought the excitement the crowd was waiting for. The band kicked off the show with “Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time”--the definite party song that energized the room with its active lyrics and catchy guitar sample from the B52’s “Rock Lobster.” As canons of streamers shot out into the crowd, front-man and vocalist Brendon Urie flaunted his dynamic personality and his vocal range during the first few songs of the set by dancing around the stage and adding falsetto into the end of a song. The band began by playing a few songs from their 2016 album before touching upon their past eras with “Ready to Go (Get Me Out Of My Mind),” the lively song from their third album Vices and Virtues. Their flashback to previous eras was followed by a glimmering waterfall of sparks during “Golden Days” and a high-energy medley of songs from their first album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out-- the album that started it all for Panic.

Later on, Urie emerged from behind the stage on his grand piano to perform the popular “Nine in the Afternoon” with his bandmates. And if you thought his charismatic personality ended there, think again. While performing the exciting “Miss Jackson” from Too Weird, the band was silent for a few seconds while the crowd cheered with anticipation of what was coming next. It was from there that Urie executed a flawless backflip to entertain the audience before finishing the song with every ounce of spirit and energy he had.

After the ending of “Miss Jackson,” a short, mysterious video was played on the screens while Brendon switched to the B-Stage of the arena to perform an emotional piano rendition of “This is Gospel.” The stage was lifted from the ground and snowflake-like glitter floated down as Urie serenaded the audience on the glimmering piano, displaying his vocal talent. Lights were shining throughout the entire arena as the crowd sang--and for some, cried-- along with the memorable lyrics that pleaded “if you love me let me go.”

Once he descended from the B-Stage, Urie made his way make to the stage to finish the set in the midst of performing “Death of a Bachelor” on his journey back. The band continued to play through their set, touching upon some of their most recent eras and albums; “Let’s Kill Tonight” delivered an electrifying drum solo from Urie, “Emperor’s New Clothes” brought the crowd up on their feet, and a fiery (literally, the heat from the pyrotechnics could be felt throughout the entire room) performance of “Crazy=Genius” left the crowd roaring with applause. But nothing unified the audience more than Panic’s “Girls/Girls/Boys.” Prior to the show, fans volunteered to create colorful, paper heart cutouts that would be given to each individual audience member during the song, which serves as an anthem of pride for many. The hearts illuminated the colors of the rainbow and pride flag as people shined their flashlights behind it, symbolizing love and unity; this part of the night was the brightest by far, it was filled with joy and acceptance all throughout the room.

While Panic stuck to a set that was focused on their most recent album and their overall best-selling singles, the band performed two covers of iconic rock songs dedicated to the memories they brought to the members. Urie returned to the piano during the band’s cover of Billy Joel’s “Movin Out (Anthony’s Song)” joined by a trio of horn players to accompany the lively piano and electric guitar. Additionally, the band performed a flawless dedication to Queen with “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Panic had every component to make the performance amazing; the band members imitated the four-way harmonies that Queen was well-known for, guitarist Kenneth Aaron Harris nailed each solo as the crowd cheered him on, and Urie hit every possible high note of the song.

Panic! At the Disco ended the night with “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” and “Victorious” as the audience sang every line and danced around while gold-colored confetti showered down. The two closing songs accurately represented the band’s evolution and how they recognize it during their shows. By transitioning from one of their first popular singles to a single from their most recent album, Panic! at the Disco shows that they are a band willing to change their sound while staying true to their lively, alt-rock roots.

Set:

Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time

LA Devotee

Ready to Go (Get me Out of My Mind)

Golden Days

Vegas Lights

A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out Medley

Hallelujah

Nine on the Afternoon

Miss Jackson

This is Gospel

Death of a bachelor

The Ballad of Mona Lisa

Movin Out (Anthony’s Song)

Emperor’s New Clothes

Nicotine

Crazy=Genius

Let’s Kill Tonight

Girls/Girls/Boys

Bohemian Rhapsody

Encore:

I Write Sins Not Tragedies

Victorious