Deafening screams are released as a small figure appears on stage during the opening act. Modeling an ‘iron man’ mask she makes her way over to the drum kit. As I realise who this adorable figure is, tears unwillingly (and trust me I tried) start streaming down my face. Taking the place of The jury and Saints drummer, Hayley Williams from Paramore starts to thrash. Not too badly might I add.
No introduction is needed, so I’ll get straight into it.
Hayley’s willful vocals led us straight into one of their many hit singles, Ignorance. Great way to start the night. They got the audience pumped and semi aggressive with their rhetorical lyrics, ‘you treat me just like another stranger. Well it’s nice to meet you Sir’. Unfortunately lead guitarist Josh Farro was not able to mesmerize us with his stunning guitar riffs, as he was too busy organising his wedding! How selfish. But the show DID go on as Taylor York (the new addition to Paramore, as the second guitarist…what a babe!) had his brother take Josh’s place during the tour.
I personally believe Williams is the best singer of her genre. She has the ability to hit incredible notes & her charm and friendly personality are just icing on the rock’n cake. She’s so down to earth!
Whenever a band comments on how amazing and beautiful New Zealand is, I know that most of us automatically wonder whether they say that to all their crowds. But Hayley’s enthused remark “This is absolutely incredible. You have no clue how long we’ve been waiting to meet you” felt totally genuine.
When she told us “It seems that everything we’ve heard of you is true, you’re crazy!” the crowd proved exactly that, with wails from teenage girls and a surprising amount of guys.
The boy’s definitely put on a show of their own when bassist Jeremy did a side flip over Taylor, while still playing. But, as expected, Hayley was the crowd favourite. Her energy and performance was insane, as she still hit every note while head-banging. The responsive crowd knew the words to every song – the mix of new and old – just as it should be. Although there were tons of adoring fans, the mosh wasn’t as fanatical as I expected – which was probably a good thing with all the 8 year old’s I saw making their way to the very front.
Before proceeding with the opening song Careful, off their new album Brand New Eyes Hayley asks “Are you ready to hang out with us?”, again the screams answered her question. And that’s exactly what we did.
For the next hour, fans everywhere from the North and South partied together with the amazing and inspirational Paramore. The only downside was the length. Rather short. But then again, who else do you know that can give a performance as well as Williams did while maintaining pitch perfect singing!? It’s a mystery how she can last so long!
Sure it was a quick set but it wasn’t just a ‘play and gap’ scenario. The audience was so involved! At one point Hayley even decided to have a conversation with an extremely lucky fan up the front about her famous orange mic.
Paramore, if you’re reading this (extremely unlikely), you rock. Come back to New Zealand – or better still, take me with you!
My Mixtape:
o Yeah yeah yeahs- ‘cheated hearts’ 
o The Enemy-‘Away from here’
o Paramore- ‘I caught myself’
o Paramore- ‘Feeling sorry’
o Eddie Vedder- ‘Rise’
o Mint chicks- ‘Walking off a cliff again’
o Michael Buble- crazy love
o Paramore- ‘Brighter’
o Flyleaf- ‘all around me’
