09/04/2026
A year ago I bought my ticket to My Chemical Romance NYC. It had been 20 years since I’d seen them, though I’d always thought they were the greatest band that ever lived. At the time I was a bit depressed and rewatched Life on the Murder Scene, and afterward wrote a long letter to Gerard just to get my thoughts out. Their creative life has been inspiring mine all this time. I ended it with:
“I’m grateful for what your work has meant to me and countless others, and for how it continues to wake up the parts of me that still want to make art and share it, and share myself. Thank you for everything you’ve made and shared with the world.”
In the year since I wrote that, and spent anticipating these shows, I’ve pushed harder than ever to change my life and creative practices. I got heavy into music photography after years of shooting fashion, and I’m so bitten by the bug I can barely sleep sometimes — going to shows, editing all night, making new friends, feeling alive and welcome in new spaces. There have been years where I’ve languished, but not this past year. I’ve tried harder than I ever have to live with a kind of creative ferocity and tenacious belief in the value of my particular voice, which I think is the ultimate example they’ve set as artists. It’s been a true joy to make photos of them and get to edit them in my own way. I’ve actually learned a ton of new techniques just working on these photos, even after 16+ years as a photographer.
I’ve thought a lot about the way MCR knew when a creative work was complete, stepped away from it to live life in other ways, and eventually came back to share this music live with several generations at once. Watching them now, taking this music and its world in new directions and looking like they’re having the time of their lives, means more to me than I know how to articulate.
Always been and always will be my favorite band. My Chemical Romance Forever 🖤❤️🔥🖤
MCR at Citi Field, NYC 8.9.2026. Shot from the crowd — Sony RX100 VII
📸 CΔSΞY VΔNGΞ (please credit if reposted)
