Fall Out Boy, Bring Me the Horizon and Royal at the Serpent @ Darien Lake PAC, Corfu, NY 8-4-23

A great night of post 2000 rock and roll graced the stage at Darien Lake this past Friday night. The bands Fall Out Boy, Bring Me the Horizon and Royal at the Serpent played a long night various rock and roll. Unfortunately, due to heavy traffic we did not make it in on time for the Games We Play set. I would say each bands we did see had a strikingly different contrast form one another. Pop rock, metalcore and Indie rock would all together on one night. Would these pairings work? I for one was very curious to see how the fans and bands would mesh.

First up was Royal at the Serpent. This band is the brainchild of Ryan Santiago. She is the singer & songwriter for the band. Santiago released a compilation album back in June titled “How to Grow a Rat.” Even though the band had a small 20 to 25 minute set, they made the most out of that opportunity. She is super charismatic and her ways and charm won over the audience. Short indie type punk style songs filled her set. “ONE NATION UNDERDOGS” and the last song of the set “overwhelmed” caught my attention the most. I’m curious to see her do a headlining set in a small club. I bet it would be a great show!

Next up were Bring Me the Horizon. The band which started out more metalcore act, has incorporated a wide variety of different styles over the last several years and albums. This includes electronic, classical, some pop and alternative. The band brought all of these offerings this past Friday night art Darien Lake PAC. The band is led by the intense frontman Oliver Sykes. Sykes performs a lot in the squat down position at the edge of the stage while belting out guttural lyrics. The 55 minute set featured some new tracks including the song “AmEN!” which came out in June this year. This song is more of the like their earlier material, as it represents a more of a hardcore approach. Another new song that was performed was ‘Lost.” I thought both went over with the crowd very well. Sykes made his way through the crowd to sing “Drown.” The band closed their set with their popular tune “Throne.”

Next up were the headliners Fall Out Boy. ‘The bands 8th studio effort So Much (for) Stardust’ was released back in March to much critical acclaim. Ever since the band has reunited about a decade ago, they have firmly entrenched themselves as band to see live. This show was no different. The band incorporated everything but the kitchen sink into this show. Blown up creatures, pyro, bubbles and members coming out in the audience to just name a few things what the audience saw at this show. You can say this performance had it all. The songs are funny and catchy. The crowd were singing along pretty much throughout the set. Bassist Pete Wentz was the focal point a few times throughout the show. He shot flames out his bass during “The Phoenix.” He went out onto a small stage for “Dance, Dance.” Their was a piano rolled out and singer & rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump played 3 tracks including a partial of “Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part to Save the Scene and stop Going to Shows).” This hasn’t been played since 2006 so it was cool to hear some of it. The band went heavy for a bit and played the Metallica song “Enter Sandman.” Of course, the crowd really went nuts towards the end when they played “Centuries” and “Saturday.”

I have to say, it was a perfect pairing of bands band whoever was the brainchild behind it should get some kudos. A great night of weather and rock and roll made for one of the most enjoyable nights of the summer so far!

Fall Out Boy Setlist:

Love From the Other Side

The Phoenix

Sugar, We’re Going Down

Uma Thurman

A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More “Touch Me”

Chicago is Two Years Ago

Grand Theft Autumn/Where is Your Boy

Calm before the Storm

This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race

Disloyal Order of Royal Buffaloes

Heaven, Iowa