What an insane treat for my first arena show.
I’ve been to PPG Paints Arena dozens of times, but always in the seats, and certainly never anywhere near the action, whether it be a concert or sporting event. I certainly never would have thought that my first time on the floor would be for Paramore and with my camera in my hands.
Genesis Owusu kicked the night off with an electrifying performance. Working with limited space and an entire stage full of gear behind him, Owusu immediately caught my attention by coming out on the shoulders of some hidden figures that exploded into a “handful” of backup dancers (see the photo gallery below to understand the “hand” pun). I was only in the room for his first three songs so I missed my favorite song of his, but I highly recommend checking out “Wutd” which has quickly become one of my top songs of the summer!
Next up for the night was Bloc Party, another band that I had never heard of prior to this show. Bloc Party, a four-piece alt/indie band from London, England, was a great addition to the lineup. They played a good variety of their music from the mid-2000s up to just last year, sharing a similar timeless style like Paramore.
From the moment she stepped on stage, Hayley Williams exuded electrifying energy, captivating the crowd with her dynamic stage presence and powerful vocals that resonated throughout the venue.With a mix of charm and fierceness, Williams commanded the attention of the predominantly young audience, many of whom were experiencing the magic of a live Paramore performance for the first time. And they were not disappointed. Paramore delivered a tight, punchy, and irresistibly danceable rock ‘n roll experience, fueled by the thunderous drumming of Zac Farro.
Although I only heard three of their songs on June 11th, I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of catching them only a week later at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee. If their Bonnaroo set was anything like their Pittsburgh set, I am confident in saying that the Pittsburgh crowd had a blast.
Both days, whether I personally witnessed three or thirty songs, Hayley Williams and Paramore delivered a performance that reminded everyone why they venture out of their homes — to experience the uplifting power of music, to dance with abandon, and to be blown away by a band and its extraordinary frontwoman.
Live from the Pitt 