This past Saturday, Jan. 18, pop-punk rockers Panic! At The Disco (P!ATD) returned to Denver for an absolutely electrifying show at the Ogden Theatre. This being only the fourth stop on their Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! Tour, the group was full of contagious energy and performed a set that thrilled the audience from the first song to the last.
Opening the concert were X Ambassadors and The Colourist, two lesser known but just as captivating groups. The crowd seemed eager to see what these bands had to offer, and many fans were even singing along and cheering for more. As any opening act should, the groups certainly heightened the atmosphere and prepared the crowd for the incredible show ahead. The theatre was buzzing as second opener The Colourist finished up their set and the audience began eagerly chanting “Panic! Panic! Panic!” to the empty stage.
When P!ATD took the stage around 9:45 p.m. they began their set with “Vegas Lights,” a track from their most recent album “Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!” It immediately became apparent this would be a high-energy show, as each song that followed was more upbeat and dance-worthy than the last. While much of the set hailed from the group’s newest studio release, the band also included old favorites such as “New Perspective,” “The Ballad of Mona Lisa” and “Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off,” not to mention the fitting closer and their most popular single “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” Much of the show was fast paced and exhilarating, but some slower selections were also injected to the mix, including newer track “The End of All Things.”
P!ATD frontman Brendon Urie gave an enthralling performance throughout, even removing his jacket and shirt to perform bare-chested for the last few songs of the show, including bisexual anthem “Girls/Girls/Boys.” P!ATD fans will undoubtedly find this reminiscent of the “Girls/Girls/Boys” music video, in which Urie performs completely naked. Fans also delighted in Urie’s always colorful language and compelling stage presence, including his somewhat sudden backflip during a convenient pause in the hit single “Miss Jackson.”
In his introduction of guitarist Jonathan Walker to the crowd, Urie emphasized that Walker is originally from Denver, then introduced his parents, who were in the audience. The crowd responded positively to the introduction, but enjoyed Urie’s other Colorado connection even more; Urie paused to say, “So you guys just legalized marijuana? Well, this is what we have to say to that.” The group then launched into its hit single “Nine in the Afternoon,” which, according to Urie, is all about that very subject.
The use of geyser-like smoke machines helped create highlights in the show, as did a dynamic light show that played on every surface in the theater. From the very involved audience to the classic P!ATD music to the personal Colorado connection, anyone who attended the performance will not forget it any time soon.
