Live Review: Panic! At The Disco

The lights go out and as Dick Dale's Pulp Fiction theme song Miserlou blasts through the speakers to welcome Panic! At The Disco to the stage. Confetti cannons detonate for a big intro as the band continues the surf-rock theme by sampling the super-catchy bass riff from Rock Lobster by The B-52's on Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time.

Lead singer Brendon Urie is the driving force of this band and is also the sole original member remaining. "I've been doing Panic! for more than 13 years and haven't aged a day," he jokes. But, really, he looks just as fit as when he played on this very same stage for the band's first Melbourne show back in 2006 (which this scribe attended). He executes a backflip from the drum riser, which excites the screaming fans.

Urie is the ultimate showman, demonstrating eccentric flair while dressed the part in a shiny gold suit jacket. He takes the audience on a thrilling, high intensity ride through all the hits from Panic! At The Disco's emo-cabaret period while also including their indie-folk and pop-rock anthems. It comes as no surprise that the band's latest Death Of A Bachelor release has been nominated for a Best Rock Album Grammy since it's probably one of the band's most solid albums to date. Getting back to his Vegas roots, Urie taps into a jazzier influence that's fused with gospel rock. The live band features a prominent horn section, which puts a different spin on some old favourites such as Time To Dance.

"This is about being free!" Urie shouts as he drapes a rainbow flag he's retrieved from an audience member over his microphone stand during Girls/Girls/Boys. A grand piano is brought out for one song. There are not a lot of vocalists who can take on Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, but Urie absolutely knocks it out of the park. His jaw-dropping vocal acrobatics explore an incredible range that stretches up to the high pitched falsetto required when tackling this song.

"Encores are so full of shit!" Urie exclaims, refusing to stop for a break and instead continuing to charge ahead. A big, four-part finale includes one of the band's biggest songs: I Write Sins Not Tragedies. Urie peels his shirt off during Victorious as smoke and confetti cannons explode over the audience.