Panic! At The Disco Brought Stunning Live Show to Enterprise Center
–by Laura Tucker
Panic! At The Disco brought their vibrant live show to Saint Louis Sunday night at Enterprise Center to an eager audience. The entertainment began with a band called Little Image who were a sweet trio of young men that had a vibe that was reminiscent of 1980 something and a sound that was a fresh indie perspective. They didn’t seem at all intimidated by the size of the crowd and rev up the audience.
Up next, Marina. As they were setting up the stage, I couldn’t help but notice the continuity. The all-white set complete with white instruments and outfits made the leading lady pop as she made her appearance in hot pink! Her soprano sound was almost other-worldly and her look – full glam! While she danced around sending her fringed outfit flying, she filled the arena with more than her voice, she filled it with her presence.
As a longtime fan, I couldn’t wait for the show to start. I have seen Panic! At the Disco a few times before, in fact, back in late 2015 I had the pleasure of witnessing the early years of the band’s raw talent in a small venue in Norfolk. And I feel privileged for that opportunity.
Fast forward to now. The new line-up includes female bassist Nicole Row, lead guitarist Mike Naran. And of course, of our favorite, flamboyant front man, Brendan Urie, the only remaining founding member (now known collectively as Panic! At the Disco.) I mean, let’s face it, Brendan Urie has always been the face and voice of the band, gracing the album covers solo. But there is a new vibe to the Viva Las Vengeance album and tour.
It started with a visual spectacle of the band appearing to float in the clouds. Next, Brendan rises from the fog on a ridiculously-high stage. The horseshoe shape of the stage provided a pit area for a small group of fans to pool in the center (in front of the band) while those who were in floor seats only got to see the leading man when he was out front, leaving them to watch the rest of the show on the monitor due to the stage height. Maybe it needed to be that tall to accommodate the baby grand piano that magically appeared a couple of times to our delight. But tonight, the best seats were those on the risers.
With the band’s iconic logo illuminating in the background, songs one through six had fans in a frenzy and included some faves like “Say Amen”, “Hey Look Ma, I Made it”(yes, he did), “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”, “Miss Jackson” and finally “This is Gospel”. His vocals were great as usual, hitting the highest of high notes with ease. Urie made use of the entire stage and made sure to greet each section of the arena.
It was great to see the band back on tour. The pyro-technics were a nice bonus during the start of the show. As for the visual effects; there were larger than life graphics tailored to each song and sometimes, they spelled out the name making it easy to keep up. The scenes set were at times, art deco in style which is classic Panic!
Then, the new Viva Las Vengence album was played in its entirety (all 12 songs), sandwiched between familiar and beloved Panic! hits. This new record has an even more dramatic flair than we are used to, if you can believe it. It almost seems as if Urie has channeled Freddie Mercury or Meatloaf to create a rock-opera experience that goes beyond what we already know.
In between each song, we were serenaded by the string trio for a brief interlude. Probably giving a much-needed break to the vocal cords
Coming to the end of the set, we were rewarded with “Girls/Girls/Boys” and a gorgeous rainbow drizzle effect on the massive screen. As expected by repeat attendees, a small, colored, paper heart could be found in the cup holder to cover our phone lights and created a unified rainbow in the audience. Along with the glittering confetti raining down. It was spectacular!
Finishing off the night with more of the hits spanning nearly 20 years, which is kind of hard to fathom, and a laser light show accompaniment, was “House of Memories”, “Nine in the Afternoon” and “Death of a Bachelor.” Urie didn’t talk much during the performance but did take the time to thank everyone for being there. Then, he said, “This is an oldie from where I come from” and the first notes began to “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”, the audience erupted in cheers and began singing along. He really didn’t even need to sing because the fans had it covered and carried the lyrics from beginning to end.
Closing out the night was “Victorious” and “High Hopes.” Missing from the list was “Hallelujah” but we got our money’s worth just the same. Can I get another amen!
Panic! at the Disco Setlist:
Say Amen (Saturday Night)
Hey Look Ma, I Made It
Don’tThreaten Me With a Good Time
This Is Gospel
Emperor’s New Clothes
Viva Las Vengence
Middle of a Breakup
Don’t Let the Light Go Out
Local God
Star Spangled Banger
God Killed Rock and Roll
Say It Louder
Sugar Soaker
Something About Maggie
Sad Clown
All by Yourself
Do IT to Death
Girls/Boys/Girls
House of Memories
Nine in the Afternoon
Death of a Bachelor
I Write Sins Not Tragedies
Victorious
High Hopes
