04 May Review: Fall Out Boy Close SunFest

In 2003, an emo band named Fall Out Boy crept into the limelight with their debut album, “Take This to Your Grave.” Twelve years later, the four guys — who are now in their 30s — performed it for a crowd of thousands upon thousands at SunFest’s closing night.

“SunFest, how ya doin’?” asked lead singer, Patrick Stump. “I wanna hear you sing, until your lungs give out.”

On Sunday evening, May 3, Stump looked into the SunFest crowd. “Hi family,” he said, dressed in a black short sleeve button up, black pants and a fedora. “I’m sure half of you are family.” The crowd cheered in response.

“That means you have to sing along, and you’ll probably know it because, like, we’re close.”

Stump began crooning the acapella  intro to “Grand Theft Autumn” and the audience joined within seconds.

The moving part about Fall Out Boy is its ability to progress with generations without losing their spark.

Despite songs on its set from the band’s sophomore album “From Under the Cork Tree” — like “Dance, Dance” and “A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More “Touch Me” — being 10 years old, the 15-year-olds in the crowd had no problem singing along to those in addition to tracks off the band’s latest release, “American Beauty/ American Psycho.”

The crowd was a complete smorgasbord — from young families with kids ranging between 8-15, to college students and young adults. Amidst the audience were scattered homemade signs by adoring fans with sayings like “I HEART FALL OUT BOY,” “YOU’RE AMAZING.”

A third sign, too small to be read was held up by a young boy sitting on his dad’s shoulders in The Stand. Adjacent from him was a guy in his twenties, shirtless, wearing swim trunks and wayfarers, sitting on a buddy’s shoulders.

There was no set ‘type’ of Fall Out Boy fan.

The band played a mixed set list, touching on each of their six albums. “It is a blessing in disguise when you’re considered an outsider,” bassist Pete Wentz preached to the crowd. “We need divergent thinking from outsiders.”

“We hope these songs can be bodyguards for your dreams,” Wentz continued as the band went into their 2013 single, “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark.”

The song — which was featured in the 2013 NBA Playoffs, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Monday Night Football and more sporting events — had the crowd hyped up like they were about to watch the big game. As the chorus came in, the crowd screamed along, jumping and raising their arms in the air.

As that song ended, the band rushed off quietly. A father in the audience told his daughter, “That was an abrupt fade away. The daughter replied “Dad, it’s punk rock.”

As the cool breeze from the Intracoastal sprayed over the Ford Stage, the crowd chanted “Fall Out Boy,” until the bandmates reemerged on stage.

Almost like a trailer for what was to come, one single firework lit off into the sky with a boom. “Cool,” Wentz said. “The fireworks are happening, that’s awesome. Let’s do this, West Palm Beach!”

Fall Out Boy went into their 2003 single, “Saturday.” Wentz went threw his bass off to lead the vocals on the bridge portion of the song, reaching into the audience as they shrieked with approval.

“We’ll see you next time,” Wentz closed. “Have a safe trip, enjoy the fireworks.”

About five minutes later, the SunFest firework show began, incorporating a mixture of songs – including Fall Out Boy’s “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark.”

The night had come full circle, and SunFest came to a close.