A combination of a sold-out venue, a dedicated fan-based crowd and authentic pop-rock anthems led to a fantastic night of music at Penn State Behrend Friday.
American rock band Panic! at the Disco headlined the university’s spring concert, and along with opening act Secret Weapons, provided all attendees with a show full of new, old and entertaining music.
To start the show, Brooklyn- based band Secret Weapons took the stage to perform a few original songs.
A somewhat underground and newly emerging group, Secret Weapons only has one single available for download called “Something New.”
Their indie rock sound infused with electronic beats and noises sounded very “off-brand” Panic! at the Disco, but was definitely entertaining enough and excited the crowd for the panic to come.
A short opening act performance time and quick stage tear-down and set-up process allowed Panic! at the Disco to take the stage earlier than many fans anticipated.
Panic! at the Disco was able to play for well over an hour and played 20 songs total, including tracks from each of their five studio albums.
While Panic! at the Disco is considered a band for obvious reasons, it is clear to most that the group’s performances are basically the Brendon Urie show, and rightfully so.
Urie, the only remaining original band member and lead singer, is an entertainer in every sense of the word.
His vocal range is extraordinary to witness in person as he transitions from the low bass choruses to the high-pitch escalations in songs like “Emperor’s New Clothes.”
While many fans and listeners have become accustomed to the digital versions of the Panic! songs, it was refreshing and somewhat surprising to hear how low Urie’s voice sounds in a concert setting as opposed to the edited versions heard on recorded tracks.
Urie’s vocal abilities and ranges are just the beginning when it comes to his total performance.
A two-minute drum solo, guitar playing on multiple songs and piano accompaniment to “Nine in the Afternoon” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” were all showcased by Urie on top of his vocal responsibilities.
As if singing and instrument playing wasn’t enough, Urie also danced and did not one, but two, backflips during his performance of “Miss Jackson” and “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.”
Urie’s performance alone was enough validation for his exceptional talent.
Talent aside, however, it was clear that Urie enjoyed the crowd and the opportunity to perform, as opposed to some artists that may provide lackluster performances at university venues that they feel are beneath them.
On multiple occasions he thanked the crowd and the university students involved with the concert process, and even performed a screamo song he called “Positive Hardcore” as a joke for the audience.
Other notable performance moments included the piano arrangement in “Nine in the Afternoon,” the dramatic presentation of “Miss Jackson” and the fantastic rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
It’s not common that a band can cover a song from a group as iconic as Queen and do the song complete justice.
However, Panic! proved otherwise thanks to Urie’s ability to engage the crowd and put his own playful character into such a dramatic song.
In a fitting and appropriate manner, Panic! ended the concert with their current chart-topping hit “Victorious.”
It seemed as if every person in the gym, whether a Panic! enthusiast or just a common concert goer, knew the words and sang along to the song.
Overall, Panic! at the Disco gave a performance that was certainly memorable for all attendees and will be difficult to top for future Penn State Behrend concert acts.
OLIVIA BURGER
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