Paramore and Metric at Roy Wilkins Auditorium

Paramore hammers St. Paul with danceable show

I experienced the floor bounce at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, MN for the very first time, as American rock band Paramore pounded the block-lined room with a very upbeat and danceable show. The band, led by singer Hayley Williams, kept the mostly late-teen to early twenties crowd jumping all night, at times igniting the entire floor to leap as one. In between songs, Williams was sincere and cordial, several times explaining the roots of the band’s material, while other times talking about how she much appreciated the large and enthusiastic crowd.

From the beginning, a large part of the crowd sang along, seeming to know every last lyric. Towards the end of the nearly two hour set, Williams called out the entire balcony to stand and dance for the song “Crush Crush Crush” from their 2007 album Riot!. She refused to start the song until five people in the front row of the balcony joined everyone else. It took a minute of gentle guilt tripping persuasion, and when they finally stood the crowd roared loudly, while the band soared into the thumping tune.

There were also a few nice slower songs mixed in, like the single “In the Morning” that flowed into Fleedwood Mac’s “Landslide” before encore. Williams’ voice sounded especially pure then, and showed nice range all evening long.

Canadian indie rockers Metric opened for Paramore. With their power and popularity, this easily could (and should) have been a dual headlining show. Unfortunately their set was only 45 minutes long, but saying that they made the most of it would a gross understatement. Singer, Emily Haines, is a very talented singer-songwriter who took to the stage as if it was an aerobic workout. The rest of the members of Metric that back her, were equally fantastic.

Metric started off with the 2010 upbeat single “Black Sheep” from the soundtrack for the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Haines, donning a black leather jacket with gold frills, sprung around the stage the entire set, only letting up a few times to play keyboards. “Youth Without Youth” from the excellent 2012 album Synthetica was next and did not disappoint, and neither did “Help I’m Alive” which followed. But perhaps the best song of the set though was their classic driving rock song, “Gold Guns Girls”. Guitarist James Shaw tore through an extended ending with a an absolutely beautiful solo. Metric’s set finished with the rhythm-heavy rocker “Stadium Love”, from the 2009 album Fantasies. And it seemed to end far too soon.

Photos taken for Twin Cities Daily Planet.