Romance, heat dominate Projekt

My Chemical Romance's performance stands out at Linkin Park's daylong event.

By JULIE GARISTO, Times Staff Writer
Published August 12, 2007

TAMPA - Saturday's Projekt Revolution concert fest waged less of an artistic attack than a battle against heat and rain at the Ford Amphitheatre.

The mercury rose to 100 as 18,000-plus fans rocked out to the nine bands performing Linkin Park's daylong minifest.

Of the three big-name headliners, My Chemical Romance dominated. Linkin Park and Taking Back Sunday pleased fans but couldn't match the dazzle of the My Chemical Romance.

Flamethrowers, pyrotechnics and cascading sparkles just about equaled the spectacle of over-the-top, ham-of-a-front-man Gerard Way. A Vaudevillian burlesque show unto himself, Way screamed expletives, commanded a mosh pit and instructed the men to take off their shirts and wave them in the air. The bleachers transformed into a giant sea of fabric propellers.

During the hit Black Parade, Way led a resounding sing-along as Matt Pelessier drummed the tune's signature funeral march from his revolving platform. Storm clouds formed and added an appropriately ominous backdrop as gusty breezes refreshed the crowd.

A charismatic So Long and Goodbye gave way to Way singing the piano ballad Cancer stretched out on the floor.

A thunderstorm caused complications and delays before Linkin Park's set. Lightning struck as venue officials ordered attendees on the lawn to vacate to their cars. They were instructed to await further instructions by car radio.

Lawn ticket holders returned in time for Linkin Park's set, which began with No More Sorrows from the band's latest album, Minutes to Midnight. The storm didn't steal the band's thunder as it rocked the energetic tune with wailing, sci-fi-sounding guitars.

Rain would have been a welcome relief as the first four bands, Mindless Self Indulgence, Styles of Beyond, the Bled and Saosin, played 30-minute-or-so sets in the sweltering midday sun at Revolution Village, a side stage area in a field adjacent to the theater.

Mindless Self Indulgence offered the most entertaining set, rocking a sweaty crowd with zaniness and sarcastic banter.

Coiffed in a spiky, dreadlocked hairdo, singer Little Jimmy Urine looked like an illegitimate love child of Perry Farrell and Screech from Saved by the Bell.

By the time Julien-K hit the main stage, the temperature dropped and the sweaty long lines got shorter. Cramped crowds got to spread out as the second concourse of vendors opened to the public.

The convulsive synth and guitar rock of Julien-K failed to move people as they trickled into the theater.

The next band, London-based Placebo, brought about some signs of life. Teenage girls danced along the railing and fans on the floor waved their arms in the air as singer Brian Molko belted out passionately and theatrically, swaying like a glam rocker. The band played a tight, catchy and dynamic set, showing why David Bowie handpicked Placebo to play his 50th birthday party in 1997.

Placebo and Finland's HIM - His Infernal Majesty - were the only foreign bands. HIM performed a sweeping, melodic set that included the band's cover of Chris Isaak's Wicked Game.

[Last modified August 12, 2007, 01:31:43]