29th March, 2019
O2 Arena, London
Potentially one of the greatest performers I have had the chance to watch live in concert… Panic! at the Disco.
Brendon Urie dominates the stage throughout the entirety of the concert: each step to be the beat is taken as an effortless yet gracious leap, each backflip is executed perfectly and without hesitations, each impossible high note is hit with shocking ease. I am convinced that not a square foot of the entire O2 stage was left untouched by the end of that performance, not an audience member left unseen. His impact is phenomenal.
I believe a crucial aspect of Urie’s performance is the active effort he puts into connecting with the audience. Not only is this achieved through his music, but also the breaks he takes in between songs to simply talk to the audience, to let each of us standing there know that we are here with him tonight for a reason and that every aspect of this night would not be this special without the audience there. It is truly a beautiful feeling: to be recognised by a man whose present purpose is to be glorified as the centre of attention. A total reversal of roles.
As if his movements weren’t enough on stage, I don’t think there was a single audience member who attended that night who could honestly say they were prepared to witness a flying piano. Slowly, beautifully, we watched as both Brendon Urie and his grand piano left the stage and ascended higher and higher, dozens of feet above us, a sea of lights surrounding him. Somehow, I would not be able to tell you how, he still sustained this connection with the audience, as though entirely uninterrupted.
Throughout the night, I had to consistently and actively release my breath after realising I had been holding it in for so long, thrilled with the anticipation of what his next move may be.
