Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
Thurs 11 Jan
After an elongated hiatus, Paramore are set to head out on the third instalment of their current tour in support of latest offering, After Laughter, kicking off at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena. It could be said that Paramore, as a group, were once the epitome of noughties alt-rock (think 2007’s platinum-selling Riot!), but 2013’s self-titled album saw them scratch the shiny surface of the pop world, an early indicator of what was to come.
Jump long four years ahead and they delivered After Laughter, an effervescent effort at combining 80s pop-rock with streaks of the Paramore sound that we know and love. The album is an accumulation of arena-ready anthems, such as Hard Times and Told You So, ready and waiting to be sung by the masses. Ultimately, After Laughter perfectly encapsulates what the band went through during those four years: from frustration to elation, battles with depression to discovering new forms of self-expression. A change of sound, a change of style and even a change of lineup – this Paramore era has seen the return of the once estranged drummer Zac Farro.
Diehard fans, rejoice: a night of hits from the last decade is promised, with cuts from across their spectrum of sound. It’s time to sweep on the blue eyeshadow and forget about those Hard Times.
Tickets: £29.50-£42.50 (sold out – check box office for returns). Info: 029 2022 4488 (SW)