Paramore belong at a technicolour Royal Albert Hall

The last time Paramore were in the UK, they were headlining Reading & Leeds Festival. At Reading, the power went out halfway through their set. For most bands it would have killed the atmosphere stone dead. For Paramore, they simply sat down together at the front of the stage and played 'The Only Exception' with a microphone, an acoustic guitar and thousands of voices. It was one of those Festival Moments that'll never be forgotten. Paramore have always handled adversity well. When they get knocked down, they stand back up. Backs against the wall? They'll come out swinging. Defiance is their thing. Tonight though, show four of Tour One at the Royal Albert Hall, is different. 'After Laughter' is a record about fresh starts. Zac, Hayley and Taylor cover the crisp white canvas in greens, blues and sunshine yellow. Their calling card, fire-starter invitation of red is still around, snarling with a clenched fist, but there's also so, so much glitter. Paramore are back and they're shining bright. It's a mood reflected across the evening. Proceeds from merch are being donated to charity, and Bleached are the perfect band to inject some sparkle into things. There's a grit to the way they attack the stage but excitement reigns. They're the sort of band who bounce about the place, joyous and grinning. Still, a sneering cover of Nirvana's 'Territorial Pissings' doesn't feel out of place. "Do it," starts Jennifer Clavin, encouraging the crowd to dye their hair, "Let's put some colour into this world." If you wanted further proof that this time out Paramore are doing things differently, just look at the venues they've chosen for the first run of 'After Laughter' shows. Steeped in occasion, the Royal Albert Hall is an all-seated affair tonight, but that isn't going to hold the crowd back. As the band walk onstage, the first few rows abandon their seats and flock to the barrier. Rules, eh? Thumbs aloft from everyone on stage, Paramore kick into 'Told You So'. There's no grand statement or fiery reminder that the band before us are stronger or more resolved than ever but their opening gambit - "For all I know the best is over and the worst is yet to come. Is it enough? To keep on hoping when the rest have given up?" - is telling enough. This time out, Paramore are finding joy in little moments. From the twirling dance of 'Still Into You' and 'Ain't It Fun', through the jubilance of 'Brick By Boring Brick' and into the shimmering power in vulnerability that skips through 'Rose-Coloured Boy' and 'Fake Happy', tonight's set is sunny-side up. There's a determined hope in everything. "If you told me ten years ago we'd be playing here, I'd have thrown up," admits Hayley. "I could probably throw up right now, thinking about it." Throughout the evening, she's less about commanding and more concerned with connecting. She tells herself to calm down before talking and knows she's surrounded by family. "We've all come from different places, and we've all collided by chance. By a song. That's something to be grateful about. The thing that connects us tonight is music or kindness. Both of those are cool." There's a relaxed peace to the way Paramore embrace tonight. Less brash and more bundles of fun, there's a gleeful acceptance to who the band is. Funnily enough, it's a cover of Halfnoise's 'Scooby's At the Back' that sees Paramore fully run with who they have become. Rose-coloured glasses for all, it's wondrous chaos as Taylor skips about the stage, Hayley jumps between vocals and bongos while Zac relishes both the spotlight and the music. "We've been through a lot," starts Hayley, knowing the whole room has grown up together. "We've taken you on a rollercoaster ride and you're welcome. We're excited about music and friendship. We are Paramore," she adds, quietly and without the usual insistence. There's no need to shout when everyone is so close. "We know who you are. You're the same as us." <em>Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett / Dork</em>