Last time Fall Out Boy were in Grand Rapids was six years ago for their MANIA tour. Now back with So Much (For) Tourdust, they sold out the city’s largest venue, Van Andel Arena, with a capacity of 7,000. With opening support from DCD2 signee Games We Play, Michigan natives Hot Mulligan, and 2000s legends Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy played a mix of their biggest hits from their decades long discography, hitting their latest album, So Much (For) Stardust, as well as Save Rock and Roll, MANIA, American Beauty, American Psycho, Infinity on High, Take This to Your Grave and From Under the Cork Tree. Fans were also treated to a few of Stump’s solo tracks, as well as covers of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” and Blur’s “Song 2”.

Under an elaborate and ever-changing set design, Patrick Stump (vocals/guitar), Pete Wentz (vocals/bass), Joe Trohman (vocals/guitar), and Andy Hurley (drums) brought fans closer through periodic monologues and high levels of crowd interaction. Fans ranged from young to old, but whether it was your first concert or you’ve been following Fall Out Boy for years, you couldn’t help by feel at home. Stump and Wentz mentioned that Michigan held a special place in their heart as it was one of two cities, Chicago being the other, that really supported their sound from the beginning of their careers. They remembered a time where they played in Hamtramck, Michigan to a crowd of three people. Now standing before a crowd of 7,000 cheering fans, they were truly grateful for the support they’ve been given over the past few decades.

The biggest mystery of this tour relates to the Magic 8 ball, which randomizing songs that haven’t been played in years, if ever. Possibly an homage to their last time in Grand Rapids, Fall Out Boy chose “Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)” from their MANIA album. This is the first time this specific song has been played since November 4th, 2018.

As a huge Fall Out Boy fan myself, it was hard not to be in absolute awe of these four men and the fanbase they’ve created. So many people standing together, singing the same songs, laughing to the same witty dad jokes, and crying to their favorites, really sticks with you. Stump, Wentz, Trohman, and Hurley have all built families and other business ventures outside of the Fall Out Boy scope. While we’re extremely proud of them and happy to root them on, we hope that Fall Out Boy will truly live on forever.

Article and Photo Gallery by Isabel Dowell