By Joel Casillas

How Can a Band Survive Until the Afterlife? My Chemical Romance in San Diego

On October 23, 2006, My Chemical Romance released The Black Parade, an album that would become one of the band's most important works, featuring anthems such as “Welcome to the Black Parade” and “Cancer.”

After announcing their breakup in 2013 and eventually returning to the stage in 2019, the band officially returned to performing in 2022. Now, nearly 20 years after The Black Parade, My Chemical Romance returned to San Diego for a completely sold-out Petco Park.

From the moment fans arrived, it was clear this was going to be a special night. People of different generations wore shirts from different eras of the band, proving that the love for My Chemical Romance has only grown stronger with time.

The night began with BABYMETAL, getting the crowd ready for the main event. Once their set ended, Petco Park transformed. Soviet-style propaganda imagery appeared throughout the stadium, introducing a story that made this much more than a traditional concert.

The Black Parade 2026 Tour takes place in Draag, a fictional authoritarian world ruled by the Grand Dictator, who uses The Black Parade as a tool of propaganda and oppression.

Throughout the show, the band fights against that oppression while the story unfolds through music, pyrotechnics, fire and spectacular visuals. One of the most memorable moments came when the stage literally caught fire, creating an image that was impossible to look away from.

But beyond the production, the real star of the night was the connection between My Chemical Romance and their fans. Fan projects, giveaways, interactions and an incredible sense of community made everyone feel like they were part of the story.

Personally, I arrived simply excited to hear some of my favorite songs. I left the stadium watching hour-long videos trying to understand the meaning behind the story I had just experienced.

And perhaps that's the answer to how a band can survive for so many years, even after a six-year hiatus and without recently releasing a new album: their fans.

My Chemical Romance didn't simply return to San Diego. They turned Petco Park into a celebration of their history, their music and the community that has kept them alive.