The last night of a world tour can go one of two ways. Sometimes, it is the biggest and best show of the run, with the band determined to end on a high. At other times, it sees the band quickly go through the motions so they can call it a night and finally go home.

Saturday night’s Panic at the Disco performance at Vector Arena was that second kind of show. The boys produced a tight, polished set that ticked all the boxes, but was distinctly flat when it came to spontaneity and audience interaction.

They didn’t even try to lie and say we were the best audience they’d ever seen.

Even a crowd singalong – initiated by frontman Brendon Urie – for guitarist Ryan Ross’s birthday seemed more of a token gesture than a genuine celebration.

You couldn’t blame the band for feeling deflated. At half capacity, with black curtains blocking all of the back section and upper bowl, the crowd still struggled to fill even half the space, rattling around the cavernous expanse.

Those that were there bubbled enthusiasm, but their energy somehow became lost in the vast black emptiness. It was a far cry from their explosive, sold-out show at the St James two years ago.

But then, the band are a different beast to that original incarnation. Two years ago, they were leaders of the Emo movement, having won a legion of fans with their debut album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.

This year, they turned their back on signature synth-pop beats with their experimental sophomore album Pretty Odd – full of brass fanfare, string interludes and baroque influences. That move earned favour with critics but was shunned by much of their original fanbase.

The band still paid tribute to their earlier musical efforts, playing hits like But It’s Better If You Do and I Write Sins Not Tragedies.

But it was their newer tracks that saw them at their best, in particular the slow closer Northern Downpour, which saw an obligatory sea of cellphones sway to the rhythm.

Musically, there was little to fault. Urie was in fine form as he sang his way through the 80-minute set.

But the physical concert needed to be condensed and concentrated to give it a little more kick. Bigger isn’t always better.

Source: nzherald.co.nz

1. Gig Review: Panic at the Disco in New Zealand
2. Panic at the Disco Perth Concert – Review
3. Live Review: Panic At The Disco – Leeds Refectory Friday
4. Live Review: Panic! At the Disco in Glendale, AZ
5. Concerts in Review: Panic! at the Disco (Denver)

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