After nearly a decade since the bands split, and longer since their last UK shows My Chemical Romance are back.

I am in the photo pit, lookin round at the 25000 scene kids as we called them back in the day. Although now they’re mid 30s and are mixed with the next generation. No fancy intro, no fireworks, the band just walk on to massive screams and applause and I’m thankful for my earplugs, and for an opportunity teenage me wouldn’t have dreamed of.

Gerard and brother Mikey give their own northern nod to another pair of famous siblings. Gerard in a green anorak whilst Mikey has a cool as fuck Pretty Green black coat. Starting the show with new track “The Foundations of Decays” slow build up was probably a wise choice. Let the crowd slowly build hype rather than 25000 panic attacks.

I’m immediately pleasantly surprised by how well Ways vocals have held up the past decade. You wouldn’t have known they’d ever been away. Personal fave “NA NA NA NA” is up next "Manchester are you ready?!" GW shouts as they kick in to MCRs best song (FIGHT ME!) I’m smiling whilst shooting this one. Especially when hearing the crowd sing along to that madness of a chorus. Keeping up the madness with “Give em hell kid”, the curtains have dropped on stage to reveal a kinda apocalyptic looking city and the lights are kicking in as the sun goes down over Warrington.

After playing B-side “Tomorrows Money”, Way tells the crowd "this is the most fun we’ve ever had on tour. When we started rehearsals we knew we had to be good. Something felt different, we felt like a band again"

“Thank you for the Venom”, Gerard stands at the front of the stage, conducting the audience, all hands are up. "Thank you Manchester" met by regular shouts of "We're in Warrington lads!" Way replies with "Who knows where the fuck Warrington is?! Manchester is right there!"

None of the band have missed a step. We're seeing prime MCR with Ways voice as mint as ever. He's getting into it. Hes back leading the crowd, fists in the air as far back as I can see as “House of Wolves” comes to a close.

Then one note, you know the one. One note and its chaos. What else can be said about this song that hasn’t already been said? “The Black Parade” Its a generations Bohemian Rhapsody. Arms are waving from the pit to the exit.

"Thank you. Is everyone safe? Look out for each other. Lets fucking keep going"

"Teenagers" a song dedicated to Ways daughter is another crowd fave and guitarist Ray Toro notices too as he has the biggest fucking grin on his face on the big screens. “The Ghosts Of You” from Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge leads into the Danger Days anthem DESTROYA.

Ahead of “Summertime”, Way speaks of their "long awesome history with the UK. Special. The place that got us first." Remembering their first UK gig at Manchester's Night and Day.

"Hey Manch..hey Warrington. I can’t fucking remember. Are you ready Warrington?!" The lights have been getting better and better throughout the set and the start of “Vampire Money” takes them to a new level.

Way begins to lead the crowd in a Freddie style whooooaaa, as if preparing them for what comes next. Helena. A massive scream from the audience, arguably the loudest of the night. Chorus kicks in and yes, its the loudest confirmed.

The almost cult like “Mama” is up next. Massive sing along. Arms waving that would have made Dave Gahan proud!

S.C.A.R.E.C.R.O.W, Famous Last Words (another personal fave) and Cancer close out the set. The latter dedicated to everyone who lost someone during the pandemic.

Ending what was an insane night with "I think you know what its guna be" Way says as “I’m Not Ok” kicks off. "lets fucking do it!"

I can hear the cheers from the back of the field where I’ve made my way to beat the stampede..40min drive home I’m not daft.

There were many singalongs throughout the set but none as big as the last section of this song. It will honestly go down as one of my all time fave gig highlights.