Fall Out Boy become the band they've always threatened to be at The O2

<strong>Fall Out Boy have been an arena band for over a decade now. Before the hiatus, they were selling out Wembley Arena and they’ve only gotten bigger since their return, their legacy mixing with a new generation of outsider anthems.</strong> Ten years ago, they were the underdogs banding together against the world. Tonight, they embrace it. For the first time, Pete, Joe, Andy and Patrick look properly at home on the big stage. The opening one-two of ‘The Phoenix’ and ‘Irresistible’ welcomes The O2 to the slick celebratory dance the band now channels. Backed by flames, fireworks and a room full of people who know every word, Fall Out Boy share a smirk knowing they’ve got this. It’s a flawless start before ‘Sugar, We’re Goin Down’ proves the band have lost none of that raging heart. The urgency still burning after all these years, Patrick stands back as the room unites under one voice. From here on out, there’s no holding back as Fall Out Boy charge through old and new. ‘Thnks Fr Th Mmrs’ is delivered with a wicked grin, ‘Centuries’ is bursting with promise and a never die swagger while ‘Dance, Dance’ is played from a floating platform at the back of the room. Pete wearing a hi-vis vest and Patrick channeling Revenge Of The Nerds from on high, they make sure everyone feels part of this moment. Even ‘Save Rock and Roll’, one of the few forgettable moments from their comeback album of the same name, is transformed in tonight’s space. Swelling from insular and intimate, the defiant screams of “we don’t know when to quit, no, no,” sees the band stand to attention as the room empties their lungs as one. It’s the songs from ‘MANIA’ that really shape tonight, even though it was released earlier this year. It’s their most daring album since the mad scientist explosion of ‘Folie å Deux’, their most cohesive since the determined stare of ‘Save Rock and Roll’ and the most fun since ‘Infinity On High’ changed everything. It sees the band embrace their past, look forward to the future and enjoy doing what they’re doing right now. That teetering balance can be felt from the scattergun burst of ‘Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea’, the surprisingly beautiful stripped back piano version of ‘Young and Menace’ and the shut up and dance whistle of ‘Hold Me Tight Or Don’t’. With plenty of showstopping moments, it would be easy for Fall Out Boy to take a step back and let the flashy lights and pyrotechnic bursts lead the way but that’s not how this band does things. Front, centre and always in control, the group embrace the spotlight and use it to make their connection with the room shine bright. From ‘Take This To Your Grave’ to now, Fall Out Boy have constantly changed shape and direction but tonight, everything comes full circle. Everything falls into place. This is the band Fall Out Boy have been threatening to become since the start. Bigger than emo, pop-punk or radio-friendly sing-alongs, Fall Out Boy have broken out of the boxes and become something special, something unique and something powerfully important. Photos: <a href="http://www.slb.photography/index/">Sarah Louise Bennett</a>