The highly anticipated “Long Live the Black Parade” tour by My Chemical Romance has officially begun, seeing the band perform their landmark 2006 album, The Black Parade, in its entirety. However, the tour’s kickoff in Seattle last weekend quickly ignited a fervent online debate, as some casual observers expressed confusion and even criticism over what they perceived as “weird demonic” stunts and “theatrical propaganda.”
At the heart of the discourse lies a pivotal moment during the Seattle performance. Between the iconic songs “Welcome to the Black Parade” and “I Don’t Love You,” frontman Gerard Way orchestrated an “experiment” and “a practice of democracy” for the audience. Four “candidates” with sacks over their heads were presented, and an “election” was held, with fans voting “YEA” or “NAY” via signs. The majority reportedly voted “NAY,” leading to a mock execution where the four figures were “shot” and removed from the B-stage. Way then wryly thanked the audience for “participating in democracy” before the band continued its set.
The elaborate stunt predictably divided viewers, with some seemingly overlooking My Chemical Romance‘s long-standing penchant for socio-political commentary embedded within their theatrical performances. A widely circulated TikTok video captured a spectator watching skeptically, with the caption: “My discernment actively trying to make sense of all this ‘theatrical propaganda.'” Other online comments accused the band of “weird demonic sh*t” and lamented: “People are just f*n twisted!”
Yet, the backlash against these criticisms appears to be far more pronounced than the initial complaints. Many dedicated My Chemical Romance fans swiftly came to the band’s defense, highlighting their career-long commitment to inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community and their history of blending art with social commentary. Supporters pointed to the narrative of their 2010 album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, which chronicles a fictional rebellion against an oppressive corporation, drawing parallels to the recent stage theatrics.
While The Mirror reported that some individuals considered selling their tickets after learning about the production, social media was flooded with counter-responses from fans mockingly encouraging them to do so, eager to acquire the tickets themselves. Some even jokingly suggested that My Chemical Romance reviving the “Satanic panic” might be the biggest recession indicator of the year.
My Chemical Romance – Upcoming Tour Dates:
- July 19, 2025 – Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA, US
- July 26, 2025 – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles (LA), CA, US
- July 27, 2025 – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles (LA), CA, US
- August 2, 2025 – Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX, US
- August 9, 2025 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, US
- August 15, 2025 – Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA, US
- August 22, 2025 – Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- August 29, 2025 – Soldier Field, Chicago, IL, US
- September 7, 2025 – Fenway Park, Boston, MA, US
- September 13, 2025 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL, US
- September 20, 2025 – Shakey Knees 2025, Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA, US
- January 22, 2026 – Vive Claro Distrito Cultural, Bogota, Colombia
- January 25, 2026 – Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru
- January 28, 2026 – Estadio Bicentenario Municipal de La Florida, Santiago, Chile
- January 29, 2026 – Estadio Bicentenario Municipal de La Florida, Santiago, Chile
- February 1, 2026 – Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- February 5, 2026 – Allianz Parque, São Paulo, Brazil
- February 6, 2026 – Allianz Parque, São Paulo, Brazil
- February 13, 2026 – Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, Mexico
- February 14, 2026 – Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, Mexico
- April 18, 2026 – Paradise City Korea, Incheon, Korea, Republic Of
- April 22, 2026 – Impact Challenger Hall 1, Bangkok, Thailand
- April 25, 2026 – Philippine Arena, Manila, Philippines
- April 28, 2026 – Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore, Singapore
- April 30, 2026 – Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- May 3, 2026 – Hammersonic Festival Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
