Rebecca Smeyne, a journalist working for Paper Magazine wrote a short review from Paramore’s show at Terminal 5 during the Fueled By Ramen 15th Anniversary in New York City. Together with the article photos taken by Smeyne were posted. The review is mostly about Hayley Williams and the reference to Hayley’s tour diary for the magazine could be easily found but the journalist is sure that $50-ticket was definitely worth buying, because “That was the best show I’ve ever seen.”
Even if emo’s not really your thing (if you’re over 20, it probably isn’t), it’s hard to not be in awe of Hayley Williams, the Tennessee-bred singer of Paramore, who headlined Fueled By Ramen’s sold-out, $50-ticket, 15th Anniversary Party last night at Terminal 5. Hayley, with her signature fiery tresses and tomboy-ish strut, possesses the kind of audience-riling, power-chord backed, irrepressible energy that can only be found at emo shows, and it’s coupled with a poise beyond her years, not to mention, a set of pipes that put the American Idol set to shame (one surprise highlight last night was a flawless Stevie Nicks impression). Paramore’s been a band for seven years, since Hayley was 15, and since 2007’s release of Riot!, they’ve become global mega-stars, rare for a rock band in this age of chart-topping hip-hop. Last night’s show was one of only a few dates this year in the US; they’ve been busy delighting their enormous fan-base in the rest of the world, in locations as far-flung as Jakarta (Hayley chronicled their Pacific Rim tour for PAPERMAG. A highlight: “Only two bands have ever headlined the Garuda Wisnu in Bali, Indonesia: Iron Maiden and, now, Paramore”). Last night, the audience audibly sang every lyric of every song, which Hayley repeatedly encouraged, though it was hardly necessarily; at times, the screams of the crowd (which included several Hayley look-a-likes) were deafening. One could practically see the hormones swirling through the air. On the way out, one excited young attendee summed it up to her friend: “That was the best show I’ve ever seen.” Allowance-money, well-spent.
This story was published on Sep. 8, 2011
