7 takeaways from Paramore's Indianapolis performance

Indianapolis Star

Tennessee rockers Paramore returned to Indianapolis on Monday for the first time in five years, playing an eventful 22-song set at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The old stuff, the new stuff, wardrobe saves, an audience love fest, a serendipitous tattoo, literal and figurative sparks flying at the exact same moment. Here are those moments and more highlights from Monday's show.

Bright and early to get close to the stage

For some dogged fans determined to get up close to the stage, the Paramore experience actually began Sunday night.

"After last night's (Indiana Fever) game, we already had a handful of people lined up outside," said Danny Lopez, Pacers Sports & Entertainment's vice president for external affairs and corporate communications.

The line to enter Paramore's jam-packed general admission floor area technically began at 8 a.m. Monday. According to Lopez, about 300 people had assembled by that time. Each fan was given a wristband noting a specific place in line, so that folks did not have to wait all day in the sun.

Previously:Paramore announces Indianapolis show

"At 4 p.m., we got them through security and let them down to general admission. About 550 went through that process," Lopez said.

Paramore did not hit the stage until 9 p.m., so it was a long day for some.

Although not announced as a sellout, Gainbridge's floor and seating sections appeared almost completely full.

This was not the first time this process has been used. It is reserved for high-interest shows with a general admission floor area, such as the Harry Styles show in 2018.

Don't call her Cinderella

Paramore’s Hayley Williams performs Monday, June 5, 2023 during their This Is Why tour in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams paused the show a few songs in to replace her footwear.

"These are not dancing shoes," she told the crowd after hyping up the fact this would be a dancing show.

Williams confirmed the move to more sensible shoes was not a regular part of the act.

"I don't know if I have ever changed shoes at the front of the stage," Williams said.

A wide-ranging set

The band jumped across the decades in its setlist, with applause spread somewhat evenly throughout.

"You're going to hear so much of our discography tonight," Williams said, noting the band has now released six albums from 2005 until 2023. "None of it is the same. We switch it up because we have to."

Among the nostalgia choices was "Decode," which the group contributed to the soundtrack for 2008 film "Twilight."

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Performing from above

About halfway through the show, Paramore's three core members — Williams, guitarist Taylor York and drummer Zac Farro — ascended above the main stage on a smaller stage. They came to rest at eye level with the luxury boxes just above the arena's lower seating decks.

The group played "Liar" and Williams's solo track "Crystal Clear."

A 'Hard Times' love fest

After falling back to earth, the group launched into 2017 hit "Hard Times." The song drew a particularly long ovation, which Williams commented on.

"How will they ever outdo that?" Williams asked. "How will anyone ever outdo that?"

"It's not a song you expect to cry after," she continued, "then you come to Indiana."

Fans sing along with Paramore on Monday, June 5, 2023 during their This Is Why tour in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Sparks

During a rendition of 2009's "The Only Exception," which Williams dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community in honor of Pride Month, sparks flew in every way imaginable.

Almost immediately, Williams pointed to a section of the floor.

"Did you just get engaged?" she asked mid-song. After a couple nodded, Williams shouted "congrats!"

House video cameras soon captured the happy couple's embrace during the song, which ended with a shower of sparks across the stage — the largest and longest pyrotechnic effect of the evening.

A fan finishes 'Misery Business'

As has been the group's touring custom, Paramore brought a fan on stage to sing the final section of 2007 breakout hit "Misery Business."

One woman's sign captured Williams's attention. The fan was then lifted over the security railing and brought on stage, where she promptly showed Williams a leg tattoo of — well, Williams.

"That's me," the singer told the fan, who said her name was Reagan.

Wearing a checkered skirt and a Cure T-shirt, Reagan took the performance home. White paper strings were launched into the crowd to finish the song.