How we went to the Panic gig and have bruises to prove it.

[kat_lair]

Panic At The Disco - Manchester Academy - 12 March 2008

We got to Manchester Academy about an hour before the concert was due to start and went to the end of the very long queue. Standing in the rain and noting that we were probably oldest people in the queue. The prevalence of Clan wear and Panic merch was disturbingly high. pushkin666 had kicked about buying a hoodie, muttering something about being too old for this shit, but in the end her Pete Wentz style stripy hoodie was the only thing keeping her warm. Well that and the two boys standing behind us bickering in a queer fanboy sort of way and singing some unrecognisable but undoubtedly emo tunes.

kat_lairwas determined to get close to the stage to get within climbing distance of Jon Walker. A relatively good spot was secured and maintained during the first warm-up band. Black Gold whose myspace can be found here were awesome. What was even better was when Brendon, who contrary to his reputation apparently does know about foreplay (the great big cock tease), came on stage to sing with them, making the crowd scream shrilly with delight.  He flaunted himself at the audience, clearly getting off on it (and he wasn’t the only one!). Oh Brendon, you little attention whore.

The second band sadly did not introduce themselves as they were really good. Somebody, anybody … do you know who they are, because we would like to hit that buy some music. ETA: The band in question was Metro Station - thanks to floridapeaches for the tip!

There was quite a long delay between the second band finishing and Panic coming on stage as there seemed to be a problem with the microphones. That was also when the previously relatively orderly crowd turned into a writhing, heaving ocean of teenagers pushing back and forward trying to get closer, the calls for Panic echoing throughout the venue. It was like a prelude to a very kinky, very illegal orgy. pushkin666 apparently hadn’t been that sweaty since the last time she had sex and kat_lair can’t remember ever being surrounded by that many nubile bodies, or getting her leg humped by an underaged girl.

We were pushed, pulled, beaten and bruised, and thinking that someone better take their shirt off to make it worthwhile.

Alas, no one stripped (that we saw – afterwards, who knows!), but probably more than one teenager experienced their first orgasm there and then, when the Panic boys finally sauntered on stage – at least if the sounds were anything to go by.

The boys kicked off with We’re So Starving, followed by Nine In The Afternoon which was just… *hands*. Could not stop grinning stupidly. Not going to go through the entire set list but overall it was a good mixture of old and new. The highlights included Lying Is The Most Fun, which was preceded by Brendon rambling on about sex and singledom (more on that later). And of course the song itself was completely nnngghhh-worthy live. Unf.

The cover of The Weight (Annie) by The Band was hugely enjoyable, especially since we were the only ones who knew the words. Well, we and some of the mums waiting in the wings. Joy.

pushkin666 unfortunately missed the last three songs as some filthy teenage thief had stolen her purse and phone and she had to go get her bank cards cancelled, which put a bit of dampener on the whole experience (although she did get propositioned by the gate guard \o/). These things would be so much better if they banned anyone under 18. Especially since that would have left us and probably 20 or so other people in the venue.

Brendon’s acoustic version of Time To Dance, which he performed solo, was gorgeous even though for some inexplicable reason he felt the need to keep poking his tongue out at the audience. Put it away Brendon or kat_lair will find something better for you to do with it.

Being fairly out of loop about these things, I’d never actually heard Mad As Rabbits before, but it was ridiculously catchy. Bring on the new album!

Anyway, let’s talk about the boys. Let’s talk about how a clean-shaven Jon Walker is hotter than a burning sun (well, kat_lair thinks this, pushkin666 prefers him with stubble). Interestingly, he was the one doing most of the talking (and the pimping for the new album). And his voice. kat_lair did not, in the end, climb him like a tree, which is a shame as that man needs to be on his knees very, very badly. We’re blaming that Kerrang picture, but Holy Jesus, Panic BDSM, here we come.

Let’s also talk about whether or not Ryan Ross is on drugs or just locked inside his artiste head. Ugh, so cute and precious, but a little doll-like. He should smile more, because when he does… Well, neither of us would actually hit that, because the poor thing would be crushed like a stick insect, but you know, in theory…

And let’s talk about Spencer Smith’s neck. His long, sweaty, pale neck, exposed and tendons straining. That man was on fire behind his drum kit (and sadly, also very quiet. Oh Spencer, don’t you love us enough even to say hi?). The award for the sexiest Panic boy of the evening goes unanimously to Spencer, who both of us would bang like a cymbal.

There were a couple of instances of mild stage-gay. However, Ryan didn’t seem too happy with Brendon at all. Every time the two of them were playing at each other, Ryan was talking very intensely. No idea about what, but he did seem to have a lot to say. *insert 4893120 plot bunnies here*

And… Was there something else we were going to mention… *ponders*

Oh yes! Brendon Urie, hyper as a puppy on sugar. Perhaps it was Manchester’s gay friendly reputation (someone pls to be writing a fic about Panic boys on Canal Street post haste) that prompted the comment, perhaps it was just time to admit what everyone already knew… Nevertheless, his introduction to Lying Is The Most Fun was… Interesting. And pretty fucking unambiguous. It went something like this: Any of you single? I’m single, so I’m going to be on the look-out tonight. And that includes guys as well. At this point we just sort of looked at each other with wide-eyes like did he just say what I think he did, omfg yes he did!  

So there you have it. Panic concert = win. Brendon Urie coming out = like pink frosting on a cream cake.

Feel free to seethe in jealousy.