JUNE 10th, 2023 - Columbus, OHIO

On a second trip to Ohio on their current tour Paramore took the stage in Columbus this past Saturday for a sold-out show at the Schottenstein Center, supported by opening acts Bloc Party and Genisis Owusu.

In a momentary panic, the stadium was evacuated just minutes before the band was due to start their show as the fire alarms throughout the arena started blaring. Although unfortunate for a handful of dedicated fans who camped outside for the special night as early as noon the day before who had to reluctantly give up their spot in the pit to evacuate, Venue staff handled the situation with ease and professionalism, making sure above all else everyone was safe. Within minutes the scare was declared a false alarm and everyone was able to return to their spots. Credits to Paramore as they did not let the incident slow them down by any means, the band still took the stage in all their glory at 9:00 pm sharp with no delay.

Headstrong and explosive as ever, the band electrified the audience within seconds of starting their first song, You First. Lead guitarist Taylor York, lit up by his own personal spotlight, opens up the show with the introductory riff of their first song, a new addition to their setlist since releasing their most recent project just a few months ago. The rest of the band followed in high spirits, Hayley Williams (lead vocalist) commanding and leaving the arena hanging on her every word, Zac Farro (Drummer) attacking every beat, and touring members Brian Robert Jones (guitarist, backing vocalist), Logan Mackenzie (rhythm guitarist, keyboardist), Joey Howard (bass guitarist, backing vocalist), Joey Mullen (percussionist, drummer) following suit.

What came after was two full hours of pure joy, a healthy amount of nostalgia, and mutual appreciation between the fans and the band. With a setlist packed full of old and new tunes and fan favorites like That’s What You Get, Playing God, Decode, and Misery Business, there was something to be had and cherished for everyone in the room regardless of how long they’ve been a fan. In one of her many short and sweet speeches throughout the night, Williams asks for a show of hands of those in the room experiencing their first ever Paramore show. Seemingly a large majority of the arena threw their hands up with enthusiasm, to Williams surprise.

“Welcome to the family,”she exclaimed, “where have you been all our lives!”

Williams also took the time to declare the room a safe space for everyone and to thank each and every fan for their support over the past twenty years they’ve spent as a band, as she lovingly does at every show.

Paramore at their core is a close-knit group of friends, with Williams, York, and Farro having known each other since they were twelve and thirteen years old, and most of the touring members having been on the road with them since 2016-2017. It is still evident on stage just how much each of them cherish and admire the opportunity they have every night on stage to connect with tens of thousands of people intimately through their work.

To put it in Williams words, “it's not lost on” them just how much love they have received over the years. The band has made it clear that they are dedicated to giving that same amount of love and more back to their crowds every night as they pour their hearts out into every song, every speech, and every fan interaction - especially during Misery Business while picking fans every show to come up on stage and perform the second half of the song with their idols to an arena full of voices cheering them on.

In a previous interview, prior to the start of their North American leg of the tour, Paramore members spoke about wanting to put on a show worthy of the growth and strides they have made in the past few years and with their most recent album release, and that they did!

In a whirlwind of cinematic undertones, pyrotechnics, and loads of confetti Paramore made the night one to remember. From ascending to a secondary stage designed to silhouette Williams, York, and Farro in a scene from their This Is Why music video, to the entire backdrop of the stage being blanketed by dazzling sparks of pyro as Williams belted out The Only Exception, a song that she did not want to continue playing for a long time until this past year, explaining that “love songs are just about the only thing holding the world together anymore”, Paramore put on a show they should be extremely proud of.

Paramore is Hayley Williams, Taylor York, and Zac Farro. But by extension, Paramore is also Brian Robert Jones, Logan Mackenzie, Joey Howard, Joey Mullen, and everyone who considers themselves a fan (on any level of dedication). Paramore is more than a band, it’s a family.

“We love you, we love you, and We Are Paramore!”

Check out the remaining dates of Paramore’s tour in a city near you, here!