Written by guest columnist, Emily Bundy.
All photos courtesy of Bryce Hall and Jesse DeFlorio.
When My Chemical Romance graced the area, Citi Field became more than a stadium; it was transformed into something otherworldly. Transporting 40,000 fans — all of whom were sporting red neckties, black button up shirts and Urban Decay’s ‘Gash’ eyeshadow — to the fictional country of Draag, the sold-out show was something to remember. Bracelets were exchanged with beads spelling song titles in the band’s created language of Keposhka, as the sea of clowns, vampires, and drum majors flooded the venue.
Coined by some as “The Great Emo Migration,” My Chemical Romance brought rock music enthusiasts of all ages together in a celebration of nearly 20 years of the band’s third album, The Black Parade, for one night in New York while on their iconic world tour’s second leg.
My Chemical Romance was formed in September of 2001 by Gerard Way (lead vocalist,) Ray Toro (lead guitarist,) Mikey Way (bassist). The band would soon be completed by 2002 when Frank Iero (guitarist) joined the crew. Ever since MCR took the scene, they’ve become a masterclass in the alternative rock/emo genre, paving the path for many artists to follow.
Undeniably, their 2006 album The Black Parade secured their spot at the top, with genre-defining tracks like “Welcome To The Black Parade” and “Teenagers” becoming some of the most iconic tracks not only of the band’s career, but what many consider to be some of the greatest songs of all time.
The Long Live The Black Parade Tour officially kicked off in July 2025 in Seattle, spanning 24 cities across the globe before making its way back to Queens to start the 2026 U.S. leg. The tour most notably features the tour’s namesake album played in full, top to bottom, in a rock-opera style performance, with a plethora of opening acts to support them such as Pierce the Veil, Modest Mouse and Citi Field’s opener: Franz Ferdinand.
Photo Credit: Bryce Hall and Jesse DeFlorio
The members of My Chemical Romance took on the appearance of their 2006 characters, members of the band The Black Parade, who serve as the official national band of Draag after being presumed dead in 2007.
Diving full force into established lore from two decades ago, My Chemical Romance was accompanied by an array of actors on stage performing as characters like Sylvia, an opera singer and head nurse; The Clerk, who serves as an official who works in hand with The Black Parade; and The Secretary, who serves as an official governmental figure in Draag.
Together, the crowd was presented with a bombastic spectacle of pyrotechnics, blood and black eyeliner, telling the story of the band’s time in Draag as they stayed in character for the duration of the album’s playthrough. Flames filled the sky of Citi Field for songs like “Mama” and “Famous Last Words,” with visuals on screen reminiscent of war propaganda and media of a militarized state.
Photo Credit: Bryce Hall and Jesse DeFlorio
Closing out The Black Parade, and serving as a transitionary intermission, a hauntingly beautiful cello solo by Clarice Jensen filled the air. Fans took a moment to step back and return to reality before the band arrived to the smaller B-stage in their everyday attire, abandoning their personas as The Black Parade, and ripping into what fans anticipate most each night — a setlist that varies nightly comprised of some of the band’s biggest hits like “I’m Not Okay (I Promise,)” “Helena,” and “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na,” as well as deep cuts and other fan favorites.
The band’s choices for this show certainly didn’t disappoint, as fans were treated to live versions of songs like “Honey, This Mirror Isn’t Big Enough For The Two Of Us,” “Summertime,” “Bulletproof Heart” and true deep cut “Demolition Lovers” from their debut album.
It’s clear that MCR is at the top of their game for a reason. They didn’t just give fans a show, but a night to remember for years to come with a beautiful example of what it means to love music.
Keep up with My Chemical Romance:
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