Paramore’s resilient echo: A Night at The Domain, Sydney

November 29, 2023

In the ever-shifting landscape of music, Paramore has wielded enduring influence over two decades in the pop-punk space. Originating as Grammy-winning emo rock superstars from Tennessee, their euphoric anthems continue to resonate, finding a vibrant echo among a diverse array of contemporary artists. Led by vocal powerhouse Hayley Williams, they carved a niche in the commercialization of the genre for mainstream audiences, evolving from the angst of their early years to the eclectic sounds of art rock, as mirrored in their recent album, This Is Why.

Their recent performance at The Domain in Sydney marked a vivid chapter in Paramore’s ongoing narrative, with a massive 25,000 fans witnessing the band’s largest headlining crowd in Australia and New Zealand to date. The night unfolded with Hayley Williams’ spoken word piece, “Grey Area (Note to Self),” and euphoric renditions of hits like ‘Running Out Of Time’ and ‘Still Into You,’ creating a celebratory atmosphere of Paramore’s journey and the fervour of their dedicated fanbase – some of who camped out to snag a front barrier spot.

In 2018, Paramore took a transformative step back from the spotlight, a respite from their famously volatile existence, navigating numerous lineup changes and high-drama exits. The hiatus allowed the band to focus on individual, personal growth. Returning to the studio, their sonic landscape has evolved, incorporating synths and drawing inspiration from the early 2000s indie rock scene. The result is an urgent, important sound that pays homage to friends and influences like Bloc Party and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, emphasising their commitment to authenticity.

Growing up as teens in the Bible belt, Paramore once identified as a Christian band in their early days. However, their musical journey involved a significant untangling of their complex relationships with religion. The new album draws inspiration from conversations about their roots. Crafted in response to the myriad global challenges that unfolded during their hiatus, the album emerged from deep, introspective dialogues contemplating the world’s condition. These discussions reflect the band’s evolution and maturation, signalling a pivotal moment of moving forward, and grappling with the impact they could have as artists on the unfolding narrative of our planet.

The band’s strong engagement off the stage with social issues, including major donation pledges from their ticket sales after the overturn of Roe V. Wade to abortion access charities in the US, women’s shelters in Canada, and here in Australia to the food rescue organisation OzHarvest, reflects their commitment and desire to be part of broader conversations.

Fans were treated to various songs from their 2007 and 2009 albums – which not only first propelled Paramore into the mainstream but also became defining works among pop-punk genres. Songs like That’s What You Get still evidently captured the raw emotion of the audience on the night.

With much anticipation, Misery Business was also on the set list – a song previously retired for its internalised misogyny. Williams, who expressed reservations about the lyrics at 17, distanced herself from the song over the years, shedding light on the double standard faced by female-fronted punk bands and their lyrics. In various interviews over the years, Williams has reflected on her journey, emphasising the vast challenge of controlling others perceptions, and acknowledging moments where we may inadvertently become the bad guy or express views misaligned with personal beliefs when we are young and uninformed. The irony for the song unfolded 15 years after its release, with Billie Eilish last year inviting Williams to perform it at Coachella right after singing Bad Guy. Olivia Rodrigo even credited Paramore as co-writers for Misery Business’ substantial influence on her hit track Good 4 U. At 20, Eilish and Rodrigo are choosing to interpret songs like Misery Business, once riddled in misinformation, not in a literal lyrical sense – but as markers of progress for young female artists. The realisation that these songs were deeply rooted in the lies fed to young women at the time, now offers an opportunity for reclamation. For myself at 31, the song is certainly a progress marker from teenage years where we were often inadvertently pitted against one another, into much healthier evolutions of love, support, and freedom.

Overall, Paramore’s enduring legacy stands as a testament to authenticity, paving the way for a more enlightened, inclusive future. In their new season of their journey, Paramore’s triumph lies not just in their music but in the values they now embody, making them architects of change in the ever-evolving landscape of music. The night at The Domain truly encapsulated this, showcasing a band straddling the past and the future, embracing their legacy while evolving into new musical territories, with fans old and new still very much along for the ride.

Review by Chloe Davis-Powell. Photos by Zachary Gray.