For one night in Tampa, Florida, the Raymond James Stadium became both cathedral and cemetery. The first run of My Chemical Romance’s Long Live The Black Parade tour reached its final stop, with 75,000 fans in attendance. With Evanescence opening, the evening honored an album that refuses to fade into memory nearly twenty years after its release.
A stadium tour celebrating one of the most iconic bands’ defining album demands that the opening bands be carefully selected to match the caliber. Ranging from established bands like The Pixies to new bands like Wallows, and from glam rocker Alice Cooper to hyperpop sensation 100 Gecs, every date of tour had a different opener for fans to enjoy. The final date, however, had to be extra special, and no artist could have filled the slot better than Evanescence.
Meeting expectations regarding both musical talent and nostalgic factor, Evanescence’s set was the perfect way to open for the final Black Parade performance. Amy Lee remains one of rock’s most commanding vocalists, moving effortlessly between piano-led ballads and walls of heavy guitar. There was no better example of this, midway through the set, than “Wasted On You,” which gradually grew into a cathartic release and transitioned into “End of the Dream.” But it was “Bring Me to Life” that electrified the amphitheatre, reminding fans why the band dominated the early 2000s crossover between metal and mainstream radio. Performing a mix of old fan favorites and new releases, Evanescence made one thing clear–they earned their spot and are here to stay.
As the sun went down, anticipation for My Chemical Romance reached an all time high. The “rules” that governed the authoritarian regime, DRAAG, that fans were immersed in upon entry to the stadium, flashed on all screens in English and Keposhka. After theatrics that further grounded attendees in the world of DRAAG, The Black Parade, played by My Chemical Romance, emerged in the familiar but distressed military garb. What followed was The Black Parade performed in its entirety, a moment that many fans have waited decades for.
Gerard Way is not one to shy away from theatricality, so it was only natural that the original story within the album of The Black Parade was more than just brought to life–it was elevated and expanded upon. Even more so, it evolved over the course of the tour. For example, the mock execution that garnered much attention after the first date of tour was rigged for the final date, with both sides of the voting cards showing “YEA.” Furthermore, for the first time on tour, those being “executed” had accessories resembling members of The Black Parade themselves, which caused some to speculate that this signaled the end of an era. Overall, the cover-to-cover playthrough and theatrical performance of The Black Parade more than lived up to the mark made by the album years ago.
The set that followed, played on the smaller B stage towards the center of the floor, created the atmosphere of a more intimate show than a stadium stage might allow. The B set was also created with intention, with each date of tour getting a slightly different assortment of My Chemical Romance’s other releases. Tampa had the special surprise of the band performing “My Way Home Is Through You,” reportedly for the first time since 2008, with Way himself even saying the band rehearsed it only once prior to the show. Closing out with “Boy Division,” the Tampa crowd emerged out into the night on a feverish high that could only be reached from two incredible sets from the one and only My Chemical Romance.
The days and weeks following the conclusion of the Long Live the Black Parade tour have been filled with ups and downs. Just before their performance at this year’s Shaky Knees Festival, it was announced on social media that they will be headlining next year’s Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple, and Louder Than Life festivals. A few days later, the band revealed that The Black Parade will carry on into 2026, with dates spanning January through October announced for major cities in Central and South America, Asia, the UK, Europe, and the United States. Fans around the globe were initially ecstatic to learn that they had more opportunities to see this album in its entirety, and that the rumors that The Black Parade was “dead” were not true; however, following the ticket drop, the band is facing criticism and backlash over the cost. While the 2025 dates sold out in a matter of hours, the 2026 dates remain largely available. For some, they say that the irony of a band critiquing authoritarianism in their performance selling tickets at absurdly high costs is not lost on them.
With the Long Live the Black Parade tour, My Chemical Romance reignited their legacy–but as 2026 approaches, their message risks being undermined. For a band that built its identity on defiance of authority and power to those who are outcast, the sky-high ticket prices of their next run cast a long shadow, raising the question of whether The Black Parade is marching for everyone, or only those who can afford the cost.
