Fall Out Boy Lights Up Fiserv Forum

Photo: Pamela Littky

Fall Out Boy brought the “So Much For (2our) Dust” tour to Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on April 2 with support from CARR, Hot Mulligan, and Jimmy Eat World. The show was fiery and explosive, with a mix of fan-favorite throwbacks and bangers from their newest 2023 album.

The sold-out concert was a triumphant homecoming for drummer Andy Hurley, a native of Menomonee Falls, WI. While celebrating Hurley’s Wisconsin ties, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz gave Milwaukee a shoutout; noting that Milwaukee was one of the first cities they played outside Chicago, where the rest of the band hailed. 

Fans roared for hits like the 2005 classic “Sugar, We’re Goin Down.” Fall Out Boy’s props were out of this world and transitioned drastically for each song. After performing before a theatrical red curtain for “Sugar,” the audience was transported to the Wild Wild West for “Uma Thurman.” 

Notably, lead vocalist Patrick Stump introduced a gigantic, inflatable Doberman head to help the band build hype for “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race.” The pooch moved his mouth to sing to the song’s anthemic chorus. Balloons were released to the crowd with booming fireworks. 

They paid tribute to their roots by lowering the stage’s ceiling and dimming the lights to emulate a basement show. At the beginning of their career, Fall Out Boy performed in small venues nationwide, and now they sell out arenas. Wentz shared his gratitude multiple times throughout the evening for hitting this career goal. He talked about his thankfulness for the band’s history.

“People are always like ‘Don’t worry you’re gonna live forever,’” Wentz said. “The answer to loneliness is to make things with your friends. Make art and make the world a weirder place. Maybe it wasn’t so bad ten years ago.” 

The sentimental energy continued as lead singer Patrick Stump gave an emotional tribute to his good friend Casey Benjamin, who recently passed. Stump held back tears as he discussed how the late great saxophonist taught him to be comfortable and smile on stage. 

“The most talented musician I’ve met anywhere,” Stump said. “... His authority for joy was persuasive. To be in his presence is to know that music is supposed to be joy.”

Stump performed “Spotlight (Oh Nostalgia)” from his solo EP Truant Wave on the piano to commemorate Benjamin’s memory. He shared that Benjamin always wanted him to play the song on stage and Stump regrets not doing it with him. The crowd was in tears by the last chorus. 

The mood shifted as Wentz appeared on a rising platform across the arena for “Dance, Dance.” He whipped his long hair in true rockstar fashion as he shredded on his bass. He traveled through the crowd back to the stage while continuing to play the song. 

A Magic 8 Ball appeared on the stage screens to predict what two surprise songs Fall Out Boy would play. 

“Should we just call it a night?” Wentz asked. 

“My reply is no,” the Magic 8 Ball responded. 

“Should we play one off an old record?”

“Without a doubt.” 

Both songs were deep cuts, “Get Busy” and “Pavolve,” leaving the longtime fans in the crowd overjoyed. This then led to the band’s greatest hits as the encore. 

The entire arena erupted in flames for “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up).” Pete Wentz’s bass doubled as a flamethrower, showcasing the band’s blazing energy. Fall Out Boy had the audience around their finger with “Thnks fr th Mmrs” and “Centuries,” before finishing the night with “Saturday.” 
Fall Out Boy has a handful of shows left on the “So Much For (2our) Dust” tour before joining the lineup for festivals worldwide and When We Were Young in Las Vegas in October.