Fall Out Boy & Bring Me the Horizon – BB&T Pavilion – Camden (A PopEntertainment.com Concert Review)

Fall Out Boy, Bring Me the Horizon, Royal and the Serpent & Games We Play – BB&T Pavilion – Camden, NJ – August 6, 2023

Stardust and Spectacle: Fall Out Boy’s Unforgettable Night in Camden on the So Much for (Tour) Dust Finale.

Fall Out Boy brought an explosive performance to Camden, New Jersey on the final show of their So Much for (Tour) Dust. Under an 80-degree sun, the band delivered an almost sold-out spectacle at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, a venue in the New Jersey and Philly area, on Sunday, August 6th. With a set lasting an impressive 1 hour and 50 minutes, they played classics from the band's first days as well as tracks from their latest album. The band concluded their two-month-long US tour on a high note, heading next for Japan.

The evening commenced at 6:30pm with the first opening act, the Los Angeles-based band Games We Play. Their super fun and energetic show included three original songs, among them their latest release "All My Untalented Friends (ooo la la)," along with a cover of The Killers' "Mr. Brightside." Their performance ignited the audience and set the tone for an interactive and enjoyable evening.

Shortly after, at 7 pm, Royal and the Serpent took the stage for a 25-minute set, featuring some of their biggest hits like "Nation Underdogs" and "Overwhelmed." The band delivered a stunning rendition of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," showcasing the lead singer's and New Jersey native Ryan Santiago’s incredible vocals. They wrapped up their set by expressing that this had been the best summer of their lives, having the privilege to perform alongside some of their favorite bands.

Building on the success of Royal and the Serpent's performance, the British band Bring Me the Horizon took the stage, starting their set with "amEN!" and captivating the crowd with hits like "Happy Song," "Can You Feel My Heart," and "Drown." Lead singer Oliver Sykes even ventured into the audience during "Drown," making fans further from the stage feel included. The band expressed gratitude to Fall Out Boy for being one of their favorite bands and sharing the stage with them. Their electrifying set concluded with the hit "Throne."

At 9:10 pm, Fall Out Boy emerged on stage, delivering the highly anticipated and unforgettable show that everyone had been eagerly awaiting. Making their return to the Philly area after the 2021 Hella Mega Tour with Green Day and Weezer, Fall Out Boy gave Camden a night to remember. With pyrotechnics, dazzling light displays, stage changes, and fiery effects, they treated the Camden waterfront to a 1 hour and 50-minute spectacle.

The performance kicked off with an intro of "We Didn't Start the Fire," followed by the band playing the lead single from their latest album So Much (for) Stardust, titled "Love from the Other Side."

Their set list, consisting of 30 songs, included five tracks from their newest album released in March 2023, such as "Fake Out," "Baby Annihilation," and "Hold Me Like a Grudge," as well as timeless hits like "Dance, Dance" "Thnks fr th Mmrs," and "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark." Fall Out Boy enthralled the crowd with pyrotechnics, fire, smoke, magic tricks and surprises, such as inviting Ryan Santiago, Royal and the Serpent’s lead singer on stage to perform "Dead on Arrival,” which she then said was her favorite Fall Out Boy song.

The Chicago band also treated the audience to a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" and a partial cover of Metallica's "Enter Sandman." In a delightful twist, they played two additional songs compared to the rest of the tour. Unexpected moments included a magic 8 ball on the screen, with Pete Wentz asking questions like "What song should we play next?” The highlight was the live debut of "Pavlove."

The lead singer also took to the piano to deliver a captivating performance of "Save Rock and Roll," and a medley of ‘’Jet Pack Blues / I’ve Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song) / Golden.” Concluding the night with "Saturday" from their second album, the band left the audience in awe. Amidst magical props, a giant dog head on stage, fire, bubbles, and smoke, Patrick Stump's remarkable vocals, Pete's exciting speeches, and the crowd's energy combined to create an unforgettable night. A mix of nostalgia, electricity, and enthusiasm filled the summer night at the Camden waterfront, marking the conclusion of the US leg of the So Much for (Tour) Dust.

Brenda Franco