Fall Out Boy’s "So Much (for) 2our Dust" Brings a Magical Night of Nostalgic Hits and Fiery New Anthems
Writing and photos by Sophie Harris
Graphic by Rebekah Witt
Fall Out Boy is more than just a pop-punk band from the Warped Tour days. The legendary Chicago rockstars electrified Birmingham, Alabama’s Legacy Arena on So Much (for) 2our Dust, the second leg of their tour promoting their latest album. They played 27 songs, spanning from their debut in 2003 to now, two decades later.
Fall Out Boy is known for bringing a mix of veterans and newcomers on the road with them. The evening kicked off with up-and-coming grunge duo Daisy Grenade, who set the tone for the energy-filled night. Next was The Maine, who brought their signature brand of alternative music that breaks through genre stereotypes. Jimmy Eat World followed, playing timeless classic after timeless classic—“The Middle,” “Sweetness,” and “Bleed American,” just to name a few.
Once Fall Out Boy hit the stage in Birmingham, the already high-energy crowd lit up - literally. Fireworks synced to the beat of their opening hit, “Love From the Other Side,” for the entire song. “The Phoenix” followed, accompanied by flames throughout the whole set, most notably from the head of Pete Wentz’s bass. Fall Out Boy certainly knows how to start a set with fiery energy.
A few songs into the show, Fall Out Boy dived into their debut album from 2003, Take This to Your Grave. During this section of the show, the band opted for a set that resembled a small nightclub instead of extravagant pyrotechnics. They played early hits like “Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy” in front of a closed curtain, under a low-hanging ceiling with a few dim blue lights. For a moment, the crowd forgot they were in an arena and were transported back in time. It was so special for the crowd to get a taste of what a Fall Out Boy show in an intimate 300-cap room might have been like. Some people in the crowd might have been at one of these shows in 2003, while other people in the crowd weren’t even born yet.
No Fall Out Boy show would be complete without elaborate set designs. Throughout the show, fans were amazed by an ornately crafted frame with characters and symbols. In the top middle of this frame was a circular LED screen that played a unique animation for each song. The Take This to Your Grave portion concluded with the clocks on the frame turning back rapidly. The low-hanging ceiling disappeared, the curtain dropped, and a giant inflatable dog head joined the band on stage. And yes, the dog’s mouth moved with some of the lyrics. When the crowd thought the sets couldn’t get any more extravagant, the dog head was replaced by an even bigger sculpture that resembled a hobbit house in a tree, an octopus, and an alien at the same time. This set would later be crucial to Pete Wentz’s vanishing act during “Dance, Dance,” where he seemed to magically transport from the top of the sculpture to a platform at the back of the crowd.
Speaking of magic, a Magic 8 Ball is one of the key symbols of Fall Out Boy’s latest album, So Much (for) Stardust. The Magic 8 Ball has appeared in numerous music videos, promotional posts, and merch items. Most notably, the Magic 8 Ball helps the band determine which unique “surprise song” to play - Birmingham got “Young Volcanoes.”
While the extravagant pyrotechnics and elaborate set designs were impressive, it was Fall Out Boy’s pure musical talent that made the show so special. Lead singer Patrick Stump commanded the stage with his powerful vocals, effortlessly hitting every note with precision. Meanwhile, Pete Wentz’s dynamic bass lines and guitarist Joe Trohman’s electrifying riffs filled the venue with electricity. And with Andy Hurley’s thunderous drumming providing the backbone of each song, Fall Out Boy delivered a performance that was nothing short of spectacular. This 27-song concert was a fiery celebration of 20 years of iconic music.
Daisy Grenade
The Maine
Jimmy Eat World
Fall Out Boy
