After a short postponement due to Hayley Williams’ lung infection, Paramore took to the Chase Center stage in San Francisco this past Monday night in front of a packed house filled front to back and top to bottom with rabid fans.
LA’s The Linda Lindas kicked things off early with a ripping set that highlighted how the band has considerably evolved in the last few years since they were founded. If you are unfamiliar with The Linda Lindas it’s time for that to change—4 teenagers (actually the drummer Mila isn’t even a teenager yet) picking up the Riot grrrl mantle with the viral hit “Racist, Sexist Boy” and never looking back as they shared some of the biggest stages on the planet while proudly displaying their influences.
Paramore took the stage right on time and launched right into “You First” as a blast of confetti fluttered down over the arena’s general admission floor. Next up was “The News” making it clear to the audience that this night would be about celebrating their February 2023 release, This Is Why.
Hayley was as fiery and energetic as ever, tearing across the stage from end-to-end as she belted out hit after hit, nearly eclipsing the audience which was more than happy to join along. The only indication of that pesky lung infection was a few between-song coughs that Hayley discreetly did off-mic. As Hayley said herself, “we’re a fucking great band.”
After “Big Man, Little Dignity” Hayley abruptly sprinted off the stage to later be seen rising out of the back of the stage on a platform along with “best friends since 6th and 7th grade” Zac Farro (drums) and Taylor York (guitar) for intimate performances of “Liar” and “Crystal Clear.”
Clearly relishing in the fervor, the band was brought back to reality when they had to stop the set and eventually leave the stage while the crew tended to a medical emergency. In spite of the poppy nature of the new tunes “shit gets hard in the pit,” but Hayley was happy to put the next song up for a vote between a heavy song or a sappy love song. While the crowd CLEARLY roared the loudest for the sappy love song (much to the band’s surprise), Paramore launched right into “Figure 8” after which explaining that San Francisco was going to both songs the whole time.
The Chase Center was clearly hip to the fact that Paramore had brought up fans in prior concerts to help with vocals on “Misery Business,” but the band had other ideas this particular night as a slew of “Elder Emo” signs appeared across the arena. Indeed, there would be a fan singing along, but this one would come from backstage, not the audience—legendary basketball great Steph Curry of the Warriors strolling onto the stage clearly pumped to belt it out. And well, he nailed it in epic fashion, just like a 3-pointer from mid-court.
Alas all good things must come to an end, the two hour performance wrapped with “Still Into You” and “This Is Why” but with no suggestion that the Seattle show would be the last of the tour.
THE LINDA LINDAS
Paramore Setlist
You First
The News
That’s What You Get
Playing God
Caught in the Middle
Rose-Colored Boy (with snippet of Whitney… more )
Running Out of Time
Decode
Last Hope
Big Man, Little Dignity
Liar
Crystal Clear (Hayley Williams song)
Hard Times
Figure 8
The Only Exception
Crave
Baby (HalfNoise cover) (lead vocal by Zac Farro)
Misery Business (with Stephen Curry)
Ain’t It Fun
Still Into You
This Is Why
The Linda Lindas Setlist
Talking to Myself
Monica
Why
Remember
Yo me estreso
Growing Up
Resolution Revolution
Tonite (The Go‐Go’s cover)
Fine
Magic
Too Many Things
Oh!
Racist, Sexist Boy
Rebel Girl (Bikini Kill cover)
