On March 24, 2024, Fall Out Boy returned to New York for their ‘So Much For (2our) Dust’ tour. Over 10,000 fans filled the stadium to see the iconic Chicago based pop-punk band Fall Out Boy play a sold out show in Albany, New York and to celebrate the one year anniversary of their album So Much (For) Stardust with openers Games We Play, Hot Mulligan, and Jimmy Eat World. The Maine and Daisy Grenade were special guests on other select dates.
Games We Play performed a four song setlist accompanied with an introduction about how he was signed to Pete’s label and a “stripping” of merch from lead singer Emmyn’s brother as they “look for a partner for him.” The performance from Games We Play had energy and kicked off the night. This performance follows the release of their debut album that came out on March 1.
Number 1 hot new band Hot Mulligan was the second to perform. I have been a fan of the band since 2018 and to see them perform in such a large venue made me incredibly proud. They played a great mix of songs, a lot of which will be sure to bring in some new fans and keep old fans that were scattered around the arena, a fan for a while (myself included). A few of the songs in their 9 song setlist included “BCKYRD,” “Drink Milk and Run,” and ended the set with “John “The Rock” Cena, Can You Smell What the Undertaker,” where their lead singer joked that maybe that isn’t their best song title.
In a few days, the band will be starting their own headlining tour with a much longer setlist that fans got a first look at in Harrisburg, the night before Albany, including songs like “Dary,” “SPS,” and “Feels Like Crab.”
Listen to their new song “Stickers of Brain” out now!
Jimmy Eat World was the third band of the night. It was my first time seeing them and I enjoyed watching them for the few songs of their performance. They played recognizable songs like “Sweetness” and “Bleed American.” Fans were excited over the last song of the night, “The Middle.”
10 years ago, I saw Fall Out Boy for the first time. They were in Scranton, Pennsylvania with Paramore on the iconic ‘Monumentour.’ I brought a little point and shoot camera with me that day. Fast forward to 10 years later, I’m covering Fall Out Boy on the one year anniversary of So Much (For) Stardust.
“The shell’s empty, there’s no point to any of this, it’s all just a random lottery of meaningless tragedy and a series of near escapes…”
Just like the opening track to So Much (For) Stardust, Fall Out Boy started their performance with “Love From The Otherside.” Out of all of the songs they could’ve picked to open with, this one was the perfect choice. It has an amazing intro that teased and built suspense for their walk on the stage. Not to mention, it introduces the celebration of So Much (For) Stardust and proves Patrick’s stellar vocals.
“Phoenix” and “Sugar We’re Going Down” were the next two songs performed, giving us an amazing group of three songs to kick off the set.
Overall, their set was filled with almost every single song from So Much (For) Stardust, even including the Magic 8 Ball pick for the night, “I Am My Own Muse.” If you are unfamiliar the Magic 8 Ball pick of the night is a surprise song. Pete Wentz asks questions to an 8 Ball to determine what the song of the night will be. The setlist had other surprises and set variations for fans including performances of “G.I.N.A.S.F.S.” and “Bang the Doldrums.”
“Reinventing the Wheel to Run Myself Over” was also performed for the first time since November 19, 2007.
Throughout their night, there were plenty of fun and cool props rotating on the stage including items like Pete’s flame bass, a bunny, snail, cacti, and a giant inflatable dog puppet (like the one on the Stardust album cover). The dog, one of my favorite parts of the show, is inflatable for a quick on and off of the stage. It’s comparable to a parade float where someone moves the dog with cables and strings. From my seat, I was able to see the crew member moving the dog. The band interacts with the dog throughout some parts too by petting it, talking to it, and even sitting against it.
There were interactive conversations to break up the night, too. One of my favorite moments was when Pete was talking to a fan in the first few rows and asking if they needed a note for going into school late the next day. Along with this, I enjoyed hearing Pete talk about Syracuse. He mentioned Halo Tattoo and frequently traveling to Syracuse to learn about hardcore.
Just before the piano melody started, they played “Fall Out,” a song from Stardust. Fans were holding a paper pink shell up to their phone flashlight to illuminate the venue. This was a “So Much (For) Stardust” project done by multiple fans, who Pete thanked after the song was over. The arena looked beautiful lit up in pink.
Pete made a point during one part of their set on the creation of Stardust, the pandemic, and encouraged people to keep making art with friends, whether music or not, because that’s one of the things that truly matters.
Fall Out Boy ended their set with the classic “Saturday” a song that they have been ending their set with for years.
Fans were standing outside the venue after the show to meet Patrick and Pete. About an hour or two after the show, they came out, exchanged friendship bracelets, talked with fans, and took a group photo.
If you haven’t given So Much (For) Stardust at chance recently, or at all, I definitely recommend it. The album has grown to become one of my favorites of the last year and it reminds me of some older Fall Out Boy sound. My life won’t be the same after hearing “So Much (For) Stardust” live on the anniversary of the album, either.
Fall Out Boy continues ‘So Much For (2our) Dust’ through April 6, where they will end in Minneapolis. Fans have been kept guessing on what the next part of the Fall Out Boy adventure will be, whether a third part of the tour, a live film, or something else. Regardless of what they announce, I am truly excited to see what the band does next.
“So I take pleasure in the detail, you know…”
