Finally, the day of the most anticipated festival of an entire generation arrived. The I Wanna Be Tour took place last Saturday, August 30th, at Allianz Parque in São Paulo. After filling the Couto Pereira Stadium in Curitiba, it was São Paulo's turn to feel the energy of an audience that intensely lived through the 2000s and the entire emo phase.
Fans arrived early to enjoy the full day dedicated to style, and even at the first show, it was possible to see the legion of people dressed in black, checkered or plaid prints, and heavy makeup. Divided into two stages, It's a Lifestyle Stage and It's Not a Phase Stage , the event began with the Brazilian band Fake Number , which had its heyday in the 2000s, although it didn't gain the same spotlight as some bands from that era. The show was short but energetic.
The I Wanna Be Tour begins by delivering everything it promised.
Next, the well-known Gloria delivered her warm, aggressive show full of hits that had the audience singing along. And to the delight of the fans, vocalist Lucas Silveira , from Fresno , joined her on stage for a duet of the famous song "Horizontes," released in 2012, in partnership with Gloria and Lucas.
Welsh pop-punk band Neck Deep followed soon after. Despite having a simple sound and not being one of the acclaimed bands of the emo era's heyday, they delivered a worthy show. The American band Story Of The Year arrived with the energy of heavier pop-punk, complete with headbanging, jumping, and heavy riffs, making the 10-year wait since their last performance in Brazil worthwhile.
Two years since their last visit, The Maine returned for their 29th show in Brazil. The band delivered an intense performance, as always, proving that the frequency hasn't tired either the band or the fans. Vocalist John O'Callaghan interacted with the audience throughout the show – even inviting a lucky fan up on stage – and proved why the band has come to the country so many times.
Dead Fish needs no introduction. The heaviest band at the festival delivered their classic intense performance, with their renowned connection to the audience and relevant political messages. Rodrigo is a strong frontman, energizing the crowd and clearly enjoying himself along with them.
The Veronicas, one of the most anticipated acts, made their Brazilian debut. The Australian duo, formed by twin sisters Lisa and Jessica Origliasso, played for the second time in São Paulo – the band performed as a sideshow act on Tuesday night, the 26th, at Cine Joia. The show showcased the sisters' synergy, in a performative presentation where they sang and danced, with upbeat songs that moved the fans who had waited all this time to see their performance. A highlight was their cover of Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield".
Brazilian bands receive standing ovations.
One of the most acclaimed bands in the Brazilian rock scene of the 2000s delivered a true wave of nostalgia. After almost a decade of hiatus, Forfun provided an exciting celebration, as has been the case on their reunion tour, with sold-out shows and an euphoric audience that actively participated.
Another band that couldn't be left out of this celebration is Fresno. In a show that highlighted the band's longevity, even years after their peak, the trio connected with the audience in a unique way, making an entire stadium sing along – vocalist Lucas was clearly moved by this energy. The fans sang all the lyrics, emotionally, from the iconic "Quebre as Correntes" to the more recent "Eu Nunca Fui Embora," proving that Fresno is more than just that band from the 2000s. Their show was one of the most celebrated, and it's great to see a Brazilian band being cheered – even more than the foreign bands.
As night began to fall at Allianz Parque, and the stadium filled up, the moment for the most anticipated bands arrived. Such was the triumphant return of Yellowcard after 13 years since their last show in Brazil – the band also performed the previous night, the 29th, with a side show at Tokio Marine Hall. The American band showed renewed energy, presenting a setlist that mixed classics from their entire career with new songs from their upcoming album, Better Days, which will be released on October 10th. The performance reaffirmed Yellowcard as one of the most beloved names in alternative rock, captivating the audience with their characteristic pop-punk sound and the striking presence of vocalist Sean Mackin .
The long-awaited headliners
The time has come for one of the most anticipated names of the night: Good Charlotte , returning to Brazil after two decades. One of the most visually appealing and heavy-sounding emo bands, they returned and delivered on their promise: a warm show full of hits and all the youthful nostalgia. For the band themselves, this was the "best show of their career." Mixing acclaimed hits like "Hold On" and "I Just Wanna Live" with tracks from their recently released album Motel Du Cap, the band, led by twins Joel and Benji Madden, made the audience feel completely at ease.
Closing the night for a crowd that had endured an entire day but still had energy left, Fall Out Boy arrived with a stage that literally caught fire. The band maintained a strong interaction with the audience, who sang along to practically every song. The setlist included the classics, but also the newer songs – which, despite leaning more towards pop, managed to energize the fans. Before anyone comments on bassist Pete Wentz's slow, listless movements, it's due to back problems . Meanwhile, vocalist Patrick Stump continued with his impeccable voice, and drummer Andy Hurley remained in top form and full of energy.
The festival delivered on all its promises, giving fans the opportunity to create historic and memorable moments. The audience enjoyed a full day of shows, almost 12 hours, with great dedication and energy in each performance.
With excited fans who feel transported back to their teenage years during the performances, the I Wanna Be Tour has established itself as one of the most important emo and pop punk festivals in Brazil and cemented its place on the annual national concert calendar.
READ ALSO: My Chemical Romance announces extra show in Brazil