Paramore + Foster the People
07/07/18 - Starlight Theatre - Kansas City, MO
Paramore and supporting acts Foster the People and Jay Som brought the After Laughter Tour to Kansas City on July 7, 2018.
Photo by Kennedy Cottrell
Jay Som hit the stage first and charmed the audience with her shy yet giddy personality. Jay Som is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the San Francisco Bay Area who creates melodic bedroom pop music. Her grateful attitude, genuine smiles, soft jokes, and smooth vocals captivated the audience for her entire set. Although she only played 6 songs, she proved she deserved to have the coveted spot of supporting act on this tour.
Next up was Foster the People led by Mark Foster. The guys started the night off with Pay the Man, the first single of their most recent EP, III. The track was also featured on the 2017 studio album Sacred Hearts Club. The title of this album, written in a shaky script, lit up the stage as a neon light behind drummer Mark Pontius. Foster the People played hit after hit, each with more enthusiasm than the one before. Then ten-song setlist included songs like Helena Beat, Pumped Up Kicks, and even a cover of Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones.
Photo by Kennedy Cottrell
Upon finishing Sit Next to Me, the band's most recent hit, Foster took a minute to speak on what can often be considered a controversial topic. Foster's words marking the Westboro Baptist Group as an extremist organization akin to ISIS and emphasizing the importance of spreading love evoked several cheers and applause from the audience. He played piano for a couple of minutes once he was finished talking, took his bow, and exited the stage.
Photo by Kennedy Cottrell
Many fans were a little bit surprised by the seemingly abrupt ending, but none were angry because of the nature of his speech.
Finally, international sensation Paramore took the stage. Paramore is unique in that they have been making music and touring for almost 15 years, and many of their fans have been around since the beginning. I only ever seen a couple of fan bases more loyal than Fans of Hayley Williams and Paramore.
The massive, 21-song setlist consisted of a perfect blend of new and old. While Williams and the band played their favorite songs from their most recent album, After Laughter, including Rose Colored Boy, Fake Happy, and Hard Times, they did not forget where they came from. Bringing out fan favorites including Misery Business, Still Into You, and That's What It Takes, the group made sure everyone their heard their favorite Paramore song.
Photos by Kennedy Cottrell
About 45 minutes into the performance, Williams ran off stage and was quickly followed by her band. A message soon popped up on the massive strips of screen set up on stage that stated "We will be right back. Love, Us." The short intermission allowed fans to take a trip to the restrooms, grab some nachos, or pick up some merch.
When they returned, each of the seven members of the band (including Williams) sat on a colored block with acoustic versions of their instruments.
