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PARAMORE
+ Remi Wolf Live
@ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne,
Thursday 30th November
(Live Review)

Review by Samantha Meuleman

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PARAMORE

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With a set that clocked in at over two hours, Paramore concluded not only their final show in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena, but also the final show of the This Is Why tour. “Damn, is Melbourne always like this? We’ve been here a week and THIS has been the energy!” vocalist Hayley Williams stated during their set. That sums up the show pretty well, Melbourne certainly brought the energy and made the last show of the tour one, for both themselves and the band, one to remember.

The evening began with Remi Wolf who brought an insane amount of energy and got into the Christmas spirit with inflatable decorations making up part of her stage decoration. Supported by her three-piece band she certainly understood the assignment and got the crowd energised and ready for Paramore. Her techniques included group exercises like a hip flexor dance, vocal warmups, and dancing to get everyone going. Her positivity was infectious, and the crowd went wild during songs such as My Girl and Sexy Villain.

Remi and her guitarist were hanging laps of the stage together during the unreleased song Soup. The crowd fell in love with the song and were singing and clapping along in unison. That is a song to look out for upon release. With her 45-minute set coming to a close Remi left the crowd ready to go for Paramore.

As a light flickered on the main screen, Grey Area (Note to Self), a spoken word poem penned by Hayley Williams began to play. The three-piece from Tennessee fronted by Hayley, Zac Farro on drums and Taylor York on guitar made their way on stage alongside three touring musicians. As the crowd screamed in excitement, the band launched into their first song of the night, You First, complete with a confetti canon – starting the show with a bang… literally.

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Overhead were two illuminated truncated triangles that created some of the most creative set design I’ve seen utilised in a show. On wires it raised, lowered, and tilted throughout the show that leaned into the energy and emotion of each song.

That’s What You Get and Playing God immediately had everyone on their feet, transported back in time. The crowd stretched their vocal cords as they sang along to the entire set list that spanned their musically diverse releases to date. The bubbly Caught in the Middle and Rose-Colored Boy followed where pink lights bathed the crowd. Running Out of Time followed which Aussies fans had sent to number #1.

It was the opening notes of the next song that really sent fans into a fever. That guitar melody is instantly recognisable to anyone who remembers anything from 2008. That song was Decode, written by Williams for the soundtrack to the film Twilight. Absolutely everyone was singing their hearts out to this song and I have to say, if you woke up with a voice the next day, did you really go to the show? This song was a clear highlight for many of people who were there.

A hushed tone fell upon the crowd as the show moved into its most subdued moments with the performances of Liar from their latest release This is Why and one of Hayley’s solo songs Crystal Clear. Hayley, Zac and Taylor were raised up onto an elevated platform that really drew eyes to the trio in those poignant moments. 

The roller coaster took off again, with pyrotechnics included, as the band launched into their hit Hard Times before bringing it back down for The Only Exception that was complete with twinkling phone lights and a shower of sparkles from the back of the stage. Crave and then Baby followed, a HalfNoise cover lead by Zac on vocals with the crowd as his backup singers.

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As Hayley said “Put your seatbelts on baby, we’re going back to 2007” the crowd erupted as the highly anticipated, much loved, Misery Business began. With the audience singing as loud as Hayley the energy was electric in the stadium. The song ended with an incredibly special moment for one fan in particular as Hayley invited her up on stage to finish the song with her. With the cheering her on, I’m sure it was a moment she’ll never forget.

As hard as it is to beat that, Paramore then launched into Ain’t It Fun leaving a surprise up their sleeve for the final song of their set. A change to their setlist.

“I don’t know how you’re all still in this with us, but we want you to know that for the rest of our lives these are more than just shows to us. These are memories that have made us who we are and shaped everything about the way we see the world. We didn’t practice this so… be kind. Good night.” The opening riff to All I Wanted began and the crowd was ecstatic, many being moved to tears. I was completely along for the ride. It’s such a special song that connects with many and it was evident in that stadium.

After they had left the stage and with the encore still to come, a video highlight reel of the band began showcasing their journey and the reasons why people connect to them. Paramore then launched into one of their biggest hits to date, Still Into You and closed the show with This Is Why the title track from their latest album.

For a band that continually evolves with each release this performance was the perfect way to highlight important moments from their career. Melbourne is already eagerly awaiting their next visit from the band who is always growing, but with one thing will always remain. As they said, “We are Paramore!”

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REMI WOLF

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Setlist 

Grey Area (Note To Self) [Spoken word intro by Hayley Williams]
You First
The News
That’s What You Get
Playing God
Caught in the Middle
Rose-Colored Boy
Running Out of Time
Decode
Last Hope
Big Man, Little Dignity
Liar
Crystal Clear
Hard Times
The Only Exception
Crave
Baby
Misery Business
Ain’t It Fun
All I Wanted

ENCORE:

This Is Why Video Montage
Still Into You
This Is Why

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Follow PARAMORE
Website – Instagram – Tik tok
Twitter – Facebook

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Press Release 11th September 2023 (below) HERE

PARAMORE
add third & final Melbourne show
to November 2023 tour

+ New ticket release in Brisbane shows

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PARAMORE / Photo May 27 2023, 7 43 55 PM credit Zachary Gray

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AMNPLIFY – DB