theswarmanthology

[theswarmanthology]

Silas, 23, Seattle

"I wasn’t really involved in the fandom until this tour, I knew the lore and followed blogs but I never actually posted about it. Since the tour started I’ve started an mcr blog and now it’s all I post."

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 9+ years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: I have more than one favorite album Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: I'm still crying right now

Which date of the tour did you attend? 10/03/22, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Washington

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? I didn’t get them until about a month before the show. I tried when they first went on sale in 2020 but they were just too expensive. I ended up switching tickets three times in the weeks up to the show, buying better tickets and selling my previous ones. If they tour again, I’m going to save up and spend the money on pit tickets for sure, but we had a good view and I’m glad I spent like three weeks of my life checking Ticketmaster every fifteen minutes.

Did you attend with anyone else? My fiancée, who only knew a couple songs but went to support me.

What did you wear? I like to be comfy for concerts, I have a lot of sensory issues and I never want to be distracted from the music by my clothes. So I just wore an old black parade band tee with leggings and a shredded black tutu. And lots of eyeliner, it’s a prerequisite.

Where were your seats? Ray’s side <3 in the lower seats, just a couple sections away from the stage.

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? I loved everything but I was so thrilled that I got to hear cemetery drive!

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? I got most of the songs I wanted to hear, but I didn’t get sleep which is one of my favorites. I was really hoping for cemetery drive and planetary go, and they played both of those!

What was your favorite moment from the show? Gerard calling Robert Pattinson incredibly fucking handsome and then doing a double vampires encore in a twilight shirt, followed by taking us all out with cancer, was definitely a highlight.

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? Definitely the twilight encore, I love Gerard so much it was so funny.

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? Frank and Ray mystery shirts, tour shirt, and the decay hoodie! My partner got the beanie.

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? Absolutely. I started listening to them originally right around the break up, and I was so deeply heartbroken that I was never going to see them. It was incredibly cathartic and healing to see them now, happy and thriving. I felt so safe in that crowd, I was stimming and moving the whole show and I never felt judged. It was easily my best concert experience, and I wasn’t even in the pit.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? Pit tickets, I need to see them again and I need to be closer. I would absolutely camp out if necessary.

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? I feel like this tour has recontextualized their entire discography in a really healing way. They survived, and so did I, and I got to see them and scream along to the songs I listened to as a depressed teenager. This tour feels like it’s been healing for them as well as for us and it’s been so incredible.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? Scream as loud as you want. Don’t spend the whole time filming on your phone, I understand the urge but staying in the moment is so worth it. Get there early even if you don’t have pit tickets, I was there four hours early and I got to hear them soundcheck and got all the merch I wanted. Have the time of your life! Also drink water.

Thanks, Silas!

[theswarmanthology]

Michelle W, 24, Oregon

"it’s overall been a good experience, this is my first time back after several years though because for a while things just got overwhelming for me and i took a social media break. i made several really good friends when i first started getting involved in the online fandoms for mcr that i’m still friends with to this day actually!"

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 9+ years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: I'm still crying right now

Which date of the tour did you attend? 10/02/22, Moda Center, Portland, Oregon

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? i got tickets right when they went on sale, my husband had to wait a little for ticketmaster to load and such but it wasn’t a hassle at all!

Did you attend with anyone else? my husband!

What did you wear? it was kind of a catholic school uniform vibe!

Where were your seats? nosebleeds, on ray’s side!

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? it’s not a fashion statement, it’s a deathwish

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? cemetery drive and kill all your friends, i didn’t get to hear either :(

What was your favorite moment from the show? before they played the world is ugly, gerard made a little speech about being a butterfly in this ugly world

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? there wasn’t anything really too unexpected at our show? i guess maybe seeing gerard come out in regular jeans and a t shirt was unexpected after seeing all the other costumes he wore on tour!

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? oh my god so much merch, thank you for the venom canvas bag, mystery t (i got the mikey one!), tour date long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, swarm dad hat, swarm flag, swarm poster, reusable water bottle and i think that was it!

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? i did yes! it felt just as comforting as walking through my front door to be in that stadium watching my favorite band before and being among thousands of other people who love them just as much as i do!

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? my seats! we had the money to get pit tickets but felt like we shouldn’t blow a huge chuck of our savings so we opted for cheaper, and i gotta say i do kinda regret it!

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? i wouldn’t say it’s changed, but i’d say my love for them certainly got stronger and i feel like there’s even more of an unbreakable bond connecting me to this band

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? fuck that savings, buy the pit tickets!!!

Anything we didn't ask that you feel obliged to share or talk about? i could talk about the show at lengths, how much it meant to me to hear them live, to see them with my own two eyes, to know that this group of men that saved my life is REAL, that they’re not just existing in my phone speakers. they’re there, they care so much about the fans, and god i just love them so fucking much.

Thanks, Michelle! She can be found on Tumblr at @ropeandrailings.

[theswarmanthology]

Sasha, 22, Munich, Germany

"i was pretty involved in mcr tumblr 2015-16 (not as like a big blog but i consumed a lot of its content etc). simmered out a little but my current blog is once again mcr-centric. overall i'd say i've had a positive experience! all the stuff that happened this year is pretty wild though"

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 5-8 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 2-4 Favorite album: I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: No

Which date of the tour did you attend? 06/06/22, Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? my friend who isn't even into mcr but, unlike myself, has a twitter sent me a link in the middle of the night. munich was one of the shows they added in early 2022 and when i bought the ticket at like 5am it was pretty easy to get them. i think that was like 4 months before the date?

Did you attend with anyone else? Solo

What did you wear? ok so made a big mistake. i hadnt been to a concert in a while (bc covid) and my experiences before were uhh more chill. anyway i wanted to look Cool so it was studded chocker and bracelets, chains etc. A Mistake. to describe the actual outfit: three cheers shirt, fishnet sleeves, big ass pants i got off a friend that i need to wear with a belt. think bondage pants minus the parts that make them cool (or bondage pants). also im pretty sure i wore converse

Where were your seats? pit, SL

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? i had to look up the setlist but im gonna go with cemetery drive

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? i would absolutely kill to hear early sunsets live. but honestly hearing kids from yd made up for it

What was your favorite moment from the show? moshing during not okay

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? honestly just how much gerard rambled and how much i enjoyed it

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? porn star shirt. i would have bought the whole stand but . well

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? honestly? no but thats less on mcr and more on me needing 4-6 months to process an emotion. it was great though

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? be less stupid. the outfit choices i mentioned earlier and also i should have just bought the 7€ water. i was so thirsty. this concert taught me a lot about what i dont want to do again!

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? not really, no. seeing them live added to my love for them but more in a way of just how much i can treasure this. i've always known how special they are (to me, anyway)

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? other than common concert stuff (i don't even really mean that mysterious concert Etiquette who cares how ur enjoying urself as long as ur not bothering anyone. i mean like wear practical clothes, stay hydrated and eat something, look out for yourself and other etc) there isn't a lot. enjoy it! it is special, but that doesn't mean it has to be any different. go with the flow i guess? yeah. wow that's lame

Thanks, Sasha! They can be found on Tumblr at @possessedgerard.

[theswarmanthology]

Sasha, 22, Munich, Germany

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 5-8 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 2-4 Favorite album: I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: No

Which date of the tour did you attend? 06/18/22, Bonn, Germany

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? back in 2020! more specifically a friend bought them for me once they announced the second date. first one sold out within seconds

Did you attend with anyone else? Solo

What did you wear? tour merch, specifically the porn star shirt, spiked choker, black cargo shorts, docs

Where were your seats? pit

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? it doesn't even matter what my favorite was, cancer obliterated everyone

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? i went to munich before this one, and the crowd there was constantly moshing, lots of crowdsurfing etc (i think because gerard said in the beginning to watch out for crowd surfers, but that's just my theory) and maybe its because i was front of stage, but here it was more ... crying and singing along? which is not disappointing or anything, just interesting. if anyone knows why or if there was moshing in the back hmu

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? nope, had my one shirt from the earlier date and decided that was enough. also the merch stands were super crowded

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show?

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? it was so hot! it was so fucking hot! it was actually one of the hottest days we had in germany this year lol. the staff constantly passed out water though and were generally great about it

Thanks, Sasha! They can be found on Tumblr at @possessedgerard.

[theswarmanthology]

i think y’all forgot to remove the “waiting for picture” from your last post 🙈

Yes we did, and our mod is at work and can’t fix it 🫠 So sorry! Fix coming soon. ❤️

[theswarmanthology]

Wilder, 19, Born in Alabama, raised in Missouri, living in Texas *WAITING 4 PICTURE*

I'm not really a "fandom" person, but following various tumblr users helped me appreciate them in a different light

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 5-8 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: I have more than one favorite album Show experience out of 10: 9 Did you cry at your show?: Yes

Which date of the tour did you attend? 09/28/22, American Airlines Center, Dallas

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? I originally thought I'd never be able to go, financially speaking. But a friend of the family had a birthday, and her sister bought tickets for the three of us. It was truly a miracle to be a part of such an experience because I just... Never thought it would happen.

Did you attend with anyone else? I went with my mom's best friend's kids. I treat them like my cousins, basically. They're really cool but it was very clear that I was a bigger fan of them.

What did you wear? I wore a handmade shirt that said "Hormone Replacement Therapy" in trans pride colours and the MCR black parade font. I wore it over a red dress with a hood, and I had vampire fangs in. I looked awful but I was loving it.

Where were your seats? I was on Frank's side, nearly behind the stage. I believe in section 222 of the American Airlines center. The seats were horrendous, but getting to see them at all was a gift.

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? DESTROYA!!!!!! DESTROYA was the first MCR song I actually listened to and enjoyed. It made me so happy. I screamed it so loud

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? I was honestly hoping for Early Sunsets over Monroeville and Heaven Help Us. They didn't play them during my show, but all the music was so awesome I didn't really care.

What was your favorite moment from the show? RAY GUITAR SOLO. MIKEY GREEN SHIRT. FALLING TO PIECES.

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? I'd say it was a pretty par for the course kind of show, but it blew me the hell away that we got THREE encore songs

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? I SPENT SO MUCH ON MERCH. I got the demolition lovers shirt, the Boy Zone shirt, and a Thank You (For the Venom) bag. I think I spent over $100 on it which was so much more than I meant

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? I have described it to everyone as being a moment that fits perfectly into who I am. Going to a My Chemical Romance show feels like something that was fated, that fits perfectly into who I am. I was hoping to make more of a connection with other fans, but I didn't have that at the show. I went to the Dallas mall the next day and saw someone with a matching shirt - We freaked out and waved at each other, and I wish I would have said hi.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? I would honestly have tried to go either alone or with different people, that's what I want to do the next time I get the opportunity to go to a show.

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? Not particularly, but it really nailed in that like... These are real people. They truly exist and are real. It made me feel so warm.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? DO IT AND HAVE FUN!!!!! Don't sit behind the stage. If you have to, try to get closer to ground floor.

Anything we didn't ask that you feel obliged to share or talk about? I flashed my phone light with one of my tumblr mutuals. They were behind the pit, and I was far away from them, but for a second we felt really connected.

Thanks, Wilder! He can be found on Tumblr at @puppybearuniverse. Below are some more pictures:

[theswarmanthology]

River, 17

"Most of my experience in the fandom has been on tumblr. It's really hard to find diehard fans in person. The online community is so positive and welcoming, and people are so dedicated to this band! The shows that I didn't go to, I watched livestreams with most if not all of my tumblr mutuals, and we all get SO EXCITED whenever new pictures drop etc etc."

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 3-5 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: Yes

Which date of the tour did you attend? 09/15/22, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? I got them about two weeks prior on stubhub. Fairly easy to grab but most of the seats were sold out already.

Did you attend with anyone else? my dad

What did you wear? I wore my revenge shirt with jeans and a leather jacket and a choker! And a couple necklaces. (I ended up having to hold my phone the entire time because my pockets were too shallow. Women's pants, you know how it is)

Where were your seats? I had a seat about 2/3 od the way down the arena, 7 or 8 rows up on frank's side

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? Helena was honestly a whole spiritual experience

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? Well. I was a demo lovers truther before they played it in NJ, and they didn't play it at my show, but they did close with desert song and. That was an experience to say the least.

What was your favorite moment from the show? Oh god I have a couple. MCR lets the audience sing the into to FLW on their own. Being in the same room with 10,000 other people singing their hearts out to that and the chorus of Helena easily as loud as the band itself... that is a life-changing experience. I'm not exaggerating. I've never felt such a deep connection with so many strangers. There were a couple moments in the show where I looked to my left at the person in the next row, and they looked at me, and we smiled at each other we were both so emotional. That happened when they started desert song too, I looked back at them and they looked at me and we both immediately started crying. After the show was over and everyone was leaving I turned to them and said "I DONT KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT I LOVE YOU" and they said "I LOVE YOU TOO"

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? Desert song! They had played it once two shows before mine so I was thinking they won't play it twice. That's a one time deal. and then.

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? oh yes. oh yes yes yes. I have never felt a stronger sense of belonging in my entire life.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? i wish i got pit tickets but they were all SOLD OUT

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? I got SO much deeper into storylines. Everything that had to come together for all of this to happen, everything that happened for it all to have the depth of meaning it does now.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? If you ever get the chance, absolutely take it. It's worth every penny. Also make sure you have a water at the show, screaming blows your throat out hella fast

Thanks, River! She can be found on Tumblr at @your-icy-blues and on Discord at Persephone 🦋#3401.

[theswarmanthology]

Lindsey, 19, New Jersey

"I love seeing everyone’s analyses of songs, costumes, lyrics, set lists, etc. I don’t make posts of my own but it’s beautiful to see how much people care about this band that means so much to me."

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 5-8 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 2-4 Favorite album: I have more than one favorite album Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: Yes

Which date of the tour did you attend? 09/10/22, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, Night 1

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? I got tickets in July. I had to get resale ones because tickets sold out immediately.

Did you attend with anyone else? My childhood best friend

What did you wear? A black tank top and black jeans- nothing special.

Where were your seats? Center nosebleeds

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? Vampire Money

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? “I Don’t Love You”, did not get to hear it :(

What was your favorite moment from the show? Everyone singing happy birthday to Mikey

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? Mikey speaking and dedicating Helena to his daughters.

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? I bought the “Thank You For The Venom” tote bag and “Boy Zone” shirt

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? It truly was an overwhelming experience in the best way possible.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? Waiting a little longer to buy my tickets so they would’ve been less expensive. Buying a mystery shirt (couldn’t find one at the merch stand I went to).

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? I used to feel that so much of My Chem came from a place of pain and now it’s clear that they are back doing what they love and being together.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? Just let go and have fun. It’ll be an amazing experience no matter where you are in the venue.

Thanks, Lindsey!

[theswarmanthology]

Han, 21, Indiana

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 5-8 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: Yes

Which date of the tour did you attend? 08/24/22, Heritage Bank Center, Cincinnati, OH

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? may 2022 and it was surprisingly easy!

Did you attend with anyone else? my sister

What did you wear? ripped black jeans, doc martens, and mcr tour hoodie

Where were your seats? section 110

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? bury me in black or ghost of you

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? i was really hoping for early sunsets and planetary go but they didn’t play either unfortunately

What was your favorite moment from the show? the crowd singing the chorus of famous last words

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? pausing the show because somebody passed out in the pit

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? the green decay hoodie and the tramp stamp tee!

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? seeing their faces in person for the first time and hearing gerard’s voice felt like reuniting with my best friends after years apart. it was so comforting. i don’t know how to describe it.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? i wish i could have been in the pit

Thanks, Han!

[theswarmanthology]

Frank Leibman, 19, New York

i mean so basically i found this band in 7th grade. this girl i was friends with and i were making jokes about emo people and then we were working on an essay and she was like have u ever heard the black parade and i said no and listened to the entire thing. i became obsessed immediately. since then like i’ve listened to every song they’ve ever released and i’m just so obsessed. HELL I'M STILL ON MCR TUMBLR😭. i feel like most fans nowadays are great but there’s still a few that are genuinely just mean, but tbh even when it happens i kinda remind myself like, they listen to MCR like they’re clearly not okay i’ll give em the benefit of the doubt

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 5-8 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 2-4 Favorite album: I have more than one favorite album Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: I'm still crying right now

Which date of the tour did you attend? 09/21/22, Prudential Center, Newark

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? okay so i went to three of them but the new jersey show i had my tickets since they day they came out in 2019

Did you attend with anyone else? so i bought tickets with my friend emma and we’ve been excited about it for so long but then she was like idk if imma be able to come down from boston so my sister came with me and me and my friend emma went to Albany show together

If you camped out, how was that experience? Was it worth it? i didnt but i did bribe the security to let me into GA

What did you wear? i wore emo makeup

Where were your seats? pit franks side AND MIKEY ACKNOWLEDGED ME WHEN I CROWDSURFED DURING MY WAY

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? PLANETARY GO

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? on the way there i said i hope they play make room and planetary go

What was your favorite moment from the show? moshing during our lady of sorrows

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? getting into the pit!!!

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? it felt like i was finally where i needed to be. i definitely never felt anything like it at all

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? the elder emos were a lil lame in the pit

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? so i mean they’re my favorite band ever but i’ve been listening to them so much more since the shows like SO much more

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? be more open to getting into it. i feel like the crowd was just a bit lame

Thanks, Frank! He can be found on the internet at frankleibman on Twitter and Instagram. He also makes Youtube videos on a channel called frank leibman.

[theswarmanthology]

Salla, 26, Helsinki, Finland

"i consider myself a part of the overall mcr tumblr community. i haven't really made an effort to form deeper friendships inside the fandom yet but i start every day scrolling the dash like reading the morning newspaper just like everyone else and i mostly contribute by frank-posting in the tags section."

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 3-5 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 2-4 Favorite album: Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: Yes

Which date of the tour did you attend? 06/14/22, Gröna Lund, Stockholm, Sweden

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? for this show it was easy because the venue was an amusement park and there were unlimited season concert passes that grant you access until the park's at capacity. i got mine a couple days prior to the show and my friend got hers on our way there from the airport.

Did you attend with anyone else? i went with my best friend of 10+ years who's part of the reason i got big into mcr

Did you camp out? Yes

If you camped out, how was that experience? Was it worth it? it was worth it in the end. overall it wasn't a bad experience just a little disorganised when it comes to the number system. venue security were lovely though.

What did you wear? skinny jeans and a mesh long sleeve with a fluffy top on top and a beret all in black obviously

Where were your seats? pit, 2nd/3rd row, frank's side

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? deathwish and house of wolves (back to back no less, i was so out of breath)

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? deathwish! this was my third and last show and they didn't play it at my two previous shows so i was desperate to hear it live that night and i did!

What was your favorite moment from the show? probably mikey smiling at people in the crowd during the bridge to famous last words. he wasn't just glazing over people i felt like he was really looking at everyone's faces individually and it felt so special. that song live always makes me cry so i was just sobbing and smiling back at him at the same time haha. an honourable mention to gerard making fun of mikey for taking a photo of the crowd for his instagram.

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? there was a rainbow in the sky and everyone started pointing at it and going "rainbow, rainbow, rainbow" and it took so long for gerard to figure out what was happening. they all looked so confused but when they finally got it they all, frank in particular, really cracked up about the fact that people just really wanted them to see the rainbow.

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? i Finally got the boy zone shirt for my friend (third time's a charm) and the skeleton long sleeve for myself

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? something like that definitely! it's like for two hours or so you're teleported to somewhere beyond space and time where the only thing that exists in the world, the only thing that matters is that moment and you feel so connected with the band and everything else just disappears.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? towards the end of the show there were people taking advantage of the fact that people let them come to the front to get water and they just stayed there and didnt go back to their original spot. cutting in front of someone isn't cool and makes you look stupid.

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? 100% yes. i became a fan the summer before the halloween comeback announcement so when i thought of my chem i thought of the revenge era because that's my favourite and most of the content circulating my part of mcrblr at the time was from that era. seeing them so full of life and excitement and love this tour has completely changed it for me though. this is the reality of my chemical romance, they're back, they're better than ever and they're not going anywhere.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? respect each other, don't cut in line, look out for the people around you and have fun!!!

Anything we didn't ask that you feel obliged to share or talk about? whenever i got a little peek of ray through the crowd he was shredding all of our faces off

Thanks, Salla! She can be found on Tumblr at @poolsofblood.

[theswarmanthology]

Myrthe, 21, The Netherlands

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 5-8 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: No

Which date of the tour did you attend? 06/02/22, Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? I actually got tickets for the show in Bologna, Italy first, since they hadn’t announced any in the Netherlands the first time around. So I figured, if I’m gonna have to travel anyway I should just plan a vacation and go to Italy for a week even though the Germany shows are closer. I had an entire trip planned including plane tickets, a hotel and some small excursions to Rome and Florence. Obviously the pandemic started a few months later and that all went out the window. I was very sad my show and trip got canceled/postponed and cried a lot. The show got moved by two years, and a month (from July to June I think) and I couldn’t make it to Italy at the new date anymore. But then they suddenly announced new Europe dates including one in Rotterdam so I could go! Getting the tickets for that was pretty easy and I was so excited when I got my tickets!

Did you attend with anyone else? With my dad

What did you wear? Black jeans, a black sleeveless t-shirt and black canvas shoes (boots? Not sure if they count as boots or sneakers or whatever)

Where were your seats? Pit, center stage!

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? It’s not a fashion statement it’s a deathwish!!

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? I love their entire discography so I was happy for them to play anything! Some of my favorites they didn’t play were sharpest lives, desert song and heaven help us but they did play sleep, deathwish, skylines and give em hell and many other songs I love!

What was your favorite moment from the show? I don’t have a specific moment, more something that was spread out across the entire show: I loved hearing the entire crowd sing along to the songs and singing with everyone. It felt magical. Especially during Mama and Famous Last Words, it’s incredible to hear everyone. Also seeing Welcome To The Black Parade was amazing because it’s such a classic. Really felt like, ‘wow, shit, that’s actually My Chemical Romance up there. They’re real!’

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? The thing that felt the most unexpected should really have been the most obvious thing actually: the start of the show and the band actually walking on stage and starting to play. I guess I was still very nervous they would cancel last minute, and the static before the show seemed to last an eternity and it didn’t feel real. And suddenly they were actually right there, and it felt like a huge surprise.

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? Yeah! I got the haunted castle Newark NJ shirt and the black swarm one with the yellow/green fly

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? Yeah! It’s one thing I don’t really have words for but it definitely felt like magic, coming home and the best night of my life. It’s just that those words don’t even begin to cover the experience.

Thanks, Myrthe! They can be found on Tumblr at @extinctioninthemorningrays.

[theswarmanthology]

Sean, 20, Italy

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 5-8 years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: Yes

Which date of the tour did you attend? 06/04/22, Bologna Sonic Park 2022

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? I got them in January of 2020 the day and the moment they went on sale. It was actually pretty easy to get them I was just scared I wouldn't be able to because of past experiences

Did you attend with anyone else? I went with three friends, one of which wasn't actually an mcr fan but got into them because I asked her if she wanted to come.

What did you wear? Fangs t shirt, beige cargo shorts, and trekking shoes

Where were your seats? In the pit very very close to barricade center stage

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? Boy Division and Famous Last Words

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? i would have loved to hear headfirst for halos or anything from bullets but they didnt play anything from that album

What was your favorite moment from the show? Singing famous last words with my friends and everyone there and realising that after all those years I'm still here and I'm fine and I've grown up and crying in my friend's arms. When I first got into mcr I was in a very dark place and didn't think i would make it to 18 and being able to see mcr live and singing what was then my favourite song made me finally realise that I've come very far from where I was years ago

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? Getting to sing happy birthday to mikey's daughter, it was very fun and cute. Also gerard saying that he knows swear words in Italian I would have expected frank to know them for some reason but not him

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? Yes, I got the swarm, tramp stamp and Europe tour dates t-shirts

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? Yes absolutely. When I talk about it I usually say it has been like a religious experience but coming home works a lot better

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? The security staff at sonic park. They were terrible when we were in line (they took all the water 5 hours before gate opened, didn't get medical attention to all the people that were fainting and having panic attacks didn't give everyone that was first in line the pit pass as they said) and also treated everyone like animals while we were in the pit. The pit was also pretty bad at least four or five people around me, one of my friends included, had a panic attack or fainted before the concert even started, even Gerard had us step back at some point and had to stop during the intro to destroya to get security to get someone out of the pit. They made the whole concert experience so much worse and terrifying, i was really scared something really bad would happen. If we are talking just about the show itself I wouldn't change a thing, maybe I'd just add one song from bullets because im still mad about it

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? It didn't change, maybe I'm even more in love with them than I was before

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? If you have the money get tickets for more than one show I will be worth it and one show won't be enough and also talk with people around you if you are in line you will make a lot of friends

Thanks, Sean! He can be found on Tumblr at @here-sean-once-was.

[theswarmanthology]

Ghost, 28, Tacoma, WA

"I mostly lurk and like/reblog pictures and art."

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 9+ years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: Yes, I saw them before the breakup in 2013 How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: Yes

Which date of the tour did you attend? 10/03/22, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? I got my tickets a few months before, resale on ticketmaster. They were easy but I had to make a decision quick cause the prices were skyrocketing for anything good.

Did you attend with anyone else? Solo

What did you wear? A three cheers shirt, black and red plaid red pants with those suspenders that I just let hang down, doc martens, red and black nail polish, red eye shadow and of COURSE eyeliner specifically with the smudger to give it the authentic 2006 feeling. Even dyed my hair black for it.

Where were your seats? Not in the pit, but on the floor! Section 9, close enough to see the stage but hard to make out the details.

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? Mama and Vampires Will Never Hurt You

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? Kill All Your Friends, unfortunately no. But I'm glad it was played on the tour no matter what!

What was your favorite moment from the show? When the crowd parted in a way where I could see the stage and Mikey Way was standing there perfectly framed between all these people in the distance, spotlight on him, holding his hand up towards the crowd. It stood out so much I almost started crying.

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? Gerard Way coming out in the Team Edward shirt for the Double Vampire encore. Being in Washington it felt like both a gift and a troll.

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? TOO MUCH. I got the swarm flag, the beanie hat, the boy zone shirt, the one shirt with the faded demolition lovers, one set of pins, the mikey way mystery shirt and the TYFTV tote bag.

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? Absolutely. The moment where the band goes quiet while the whole arena's singing along to Famous Last Words, you can almost feel everyone's light around you, and it feels incredible and safe.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? That I should've brought water with me after getting there so early in the day. And that I wish they played more from Bullets, but VWNHY makes up for the lack of it.

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? I don't think my opinion has changed, but this whole tour has re-awakened the beast that my spotify wrapped will never recover from.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? Bring water and snacks if you arrive early! Especially if it says it's gonna be hot out! Don't make my mistakes!

Anything we didn't ask that you feel obliged to share or talk about? This is impossible for me to prove but I had a dream of Gerard Way waving around a trans flag two nights before it actually happened. The same show where he walked out as a ghost which has been my online nickname for ages. It's surely a WILD coincidence but I'm going to incorporate into my beliefs that I simply had a brief psychic connection with Gerard Way.

Thanks, Ghost! He can be found at ghost_n_ghoul on Twitter.

[theswarmanthology]

Kay, 23, Washington, D.C.

"I’ve been on tumblr since 2012, and only got into mcrblr in 2016-2017. Since then, I’ve made so many incredible mutuals and friends."

Fast Facts:How long have you been a fan?: 9+ years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 2-4 Favorite album: Conventional Weapons Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: I'm still crying right now

Which date of the tour did you attend? 09/11/22, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY, Night 2

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? My brother gave me these tickets for my 22nd birthday, and we finally got to go over a year later!

Did you attend with anyone else? My brother

What did you wear? I wore an old school mcr shirt with ripped black jeans, fingerless gloves, a beanie, and of course, the eyeliner!

Where were your seats? We were in the nosebleeds on Ray’s side!

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? Hearing Famous Last Words after so many years singing along to it solo was like nothing else

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? I really wanted to hear Burn Bright, but it wasn’t played that night

What was your favorite moment from the show? The Desert Song encore!

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? The Desert Song encore, I don’t think anyone was expecting it!

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? I got the long sleeve tour shirt, both button packs, the green SWARM water bottle, and the “Thank You for the Venom” tote bag!

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? I mentioned this before, but screaming along to Famous Last Words with thousands of other people after so many years whispering it to myself changed my life. It felt like I truly belonged

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? I wish I could have been a bit closer to the stage so I could’ve seen them better

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? Yes, I have the utmost respect for who they are as artists and people. I idolized them before, but once you’ve seen them live, it changes the whole way you view them. I can’t put it into words, it’s just something you have to experience.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? Get ready to be blown away! I recommend going with a buddy, stadium shows can be overwhelming, with all the people and lights and noise. Have a place to meet up after the show if you get separated while leaving.

Anything we didn't ask that you feel obliged to share or talk about? I would like to thank the mcr tumblr for being so welcoming and open. They’ve given me wonderful friends and memories that I will cherish forever.

Thanks, Kay! They can be found on Tumblr at @cosmictequila and Twitter at the same handle.

[theswarmanthology]

Em, 30s, USA

"i've been part of the fandom since 2004. as much as the band has shaped parts of my life and my outlook on the world, the fandom has as well. i've made wonderful friends, read books i otherwise wouldn't know about, pursued art, and become a better artist in general because of the friends i've made in the community. this community taught me compassion for sex workers (who were also in the fandom at the time) when i was 16 and living in a very conservative household; my friends and acquaintances encouraged my growth and exploration as an artist; and, in adulthood, i've gotten to travel to places i otherwise probably wouldn't have gone just to meet my friends in person. i don't participate in many other fan communities, but this one has, without a doubt, been a formative part of my life."

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 9+ years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: Yes, I saw them before the breakup in 2013 How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 2-4 Favorite album: I have more than one favorite album Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: No

Which date of the tour did you attend? 09/13/22, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? they were gifted to me for free by someone else in the fandom. i'm incredibly grateful.

Did you attend with anyone else? solo

What did you wear? all black + a covid-protection mask

Where were your seats? i was in the seats, but pretty close to the pit, on mikey and frank's side

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? foundations of decay, give em hell kid, house of wolves, the world is ugly, famous last words

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? how i disappear - they didn't play it at this show

What was your favorite moment from the show? two favorite moments: 1. gerard's nurse outfit and 2. when they played helena (i almost cried, which was pretty unexpected)

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? almost crying at helena

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? i got the SWARM hoodie

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? it felt more like a continuation of one of the most important parts of my life than it did like 'coming home'. they, and there music, have been part of my life for almost 20 years at this point. there's no nostalgia in it for me, nor did i feel like i was ever 'away' from them. it felt like a new, special chapter, and i'm so grateful i get to add that to my life.

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? nothing

Has your perspective or opinion about the band changed since seeing them on this tour? If so, in what way? nothing has really changed, so much as i feel like they've grown as people in parallel to me changing as a person. i'm younger than them, but i literally grew up with them and with their music; they've been part of so many important life stages for me from my teen years to my 30s. i'm so grateful they exist, and equally grateful that i fell in love with them when i did.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? none particularly. enjoy it. talk to the people around you if you want to. you'll have a great time <3

Anything we didn't ask that you feel obliged to share or talk about? i had a moment of trans magic happen at the detroit show. i went by myself and, by happenstance, ended up in a seat next to another trans person around my age. we clocked each other and shared our joy about our queerness, and about MCR, and about getting to see them live again. when i was growing up, and when i came out in my late teenage years, i quite literally had no one who understood what was happening to me, and very very few adults who accepted my transness. like so many people, MCR was crucial to me figuring out how to articulate my transness, i'm very glad to see so many younger people in the fandom find each other and be able to share joy in creating themselves in whatever ways they want to be while sharing a community with other trans and gnc people. it was a much lonelier road for me at the time that i came out. no one that i knew in the fandom was trans, and certainly no one in my immediate life as a teenager was trans. i'm lucky to have had supportive friends both in and out of the fandom, but it felt like a really special blessing to meet someone, by completely random chance, who was both trans and part of my generation, at the show where gerard walked on stage dressed as a nurse. MCR cast some kind of special spell that night, and it gave me a moment of recognition and joy that i'll never forget.

Thanks, Em!

[theswarmanthology]

Newton Thorne, 21, A small highway town in the Mojave Desert

"Mostly just participate by talking with friends online through social media, sharing content, and sometimes posting sappy posts on tumblr about them."

Fast Facts: How long have you been a fan?: 9+ years Did you get to see MCR live before this tour?: No, this tour was my first time seeing MCR How many shows on this tour did you attend in total?: 1 Favorite album: Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys/The Mad Gear and Missile Kid Show experience out of 10: 10 Did you cry at your show?: I'm still crying right now

Which date of the tour did you attend? 10/15/22, Night 4 at the Forum

When did you get your tickets for your show? Was it a struggle, or were they easy to grab? 2019! it was easier than i thought, but i still waited forever in an online queue.

Did you attend with anyone else? one of my best friends in the whole world, and my younger sibling, and someone id consider an older brother.

What did you wear? but the most Gender thing i could manage. its got shoulderpads B)

Where were your seats? Nosebleeds on Frank's side

What was your favorite song(s) from the setlist they played at your show? DESTROYA

What song were you most hoping to hear? Did you get to hear it? everything from danger days, so im glad it was danger days night. I was only sad we didnt get Sing.

What was your favorite moment from the show? The moment Mastas of Ravencroft played and my best friend nearly fell down the stairs because its his favorite song. I loved seeing them so happy. I also loved the moments when the entire stadium sang in one desperate, reverent voice.

What was the most unexpected moment from the show? When they played Mastas of Ravencroft

Did you snag any merch? What pieces? I got Piss Gerald!!!!!!!!!

Many fans describe seeing MCR live as feeling like coming home. Did you experience anything like that at your show? I think this is a hard thing to answer with a simple yes. I'm gonna leave a link here to an article I wrote and published on Medium which I think answers this better than I could on this form. it also serves as an answer to the perspective on the band question. This isnt meant to be like, publicity grabbing or whatever I've literally never written anything like this, let alone put it online. I just have been frothing at the mouth while trying to figure out where to put the baggage ive been carrying in my chest cavity since the show, and publishing this article felt like the best way i could lighten the load or whatever. anyways here, read it if you like, its about me finding faith in something for the first time in my life: Newton's Article Here!

If you could change one thing about your show experience, what would it be? i wouldnt change a thing. genuinely.

What advice would you give to people seeing My Chemical Romance in the future? dont expect your eyeliner to stay put. (also arrive a few hours early for the good merch lmao)

Anything we didn't ask that you feel obliged to share or talk about? everything i could have wanted to convey about how truly dear to me this experience was is in that memoir i linked UwU

Thanks, Newton! Be sure to check out their article. Here is where else they can be found on the internet: Tumblr: @kaijumilf | Instagram: Mothr.a