1. The black parade truly marched in. I haven’t seen this many fishnets, band T-shirts and smudged eyeliner since my last trip to Hot Topic, circa 2007. It was a time warp, and Gerard Way variants from every MCR era had barreled through. Two men behind me donned “Welcome to the Black Parade” marching band uniforms. Another waiting in line wore Way’s signature black button-up with red tie, snatching a page straight from the Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge period. I’d clearly missed the memo in my bright blue jeans and beige T-shirt, but I did spot a kindred spirit in the sea of black—a woman boldly rocking a neon pink hat.

2. MCR hasn’t lost its taste for theatrics. After opening with “The Foundations of Decay,” MCR’s first new song in eight years, the red drapery behind the band dropped to reveal a more desolate-looking set. Piles of large rubble formed like hillsides as smoke billowed out, and the structures of crumbling buildings had been lowered down by wires. It was a cool transition and much more fitting for the emo-punk outfit that provided many listeners with their first real rock opera.

3. Nostalgia's a hell of a drug. I didn’t expect to feel like a teen again watching Way prance around the stage, and I wasn’t alone. Millennials and Gen Xers were on their feet, headbanging with no care for sore knees or necks the next day. Way looked as youthful as during the years MCR premiered new music videos on Total Request Live. On this reunion tour, the frontman’s been known to rock some unique looks—from cheerleading costumes to Twilight fan T-shirts—but he kept it relatively low-key on this Las Vegas visit, looking the part of a pallbearing Romeo in all black and with a large red carnation over his heart.

MCR indulged us with all the hits of its time-tested catalog and even oldies from its debut album (“Vampires Will Never Hurt You”). Way put his absolute all into Three Cheers cuts “I Never Told You What I Do for a Living” and “I’m Not Okay (I Promise),” and just as his voice seemed to tremble from the screaming, the crowd hopped in to assist with the lyrics. Danger Days favorites like “Summertime” inspired phone flashlights around the arena to go up, as did “S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W.” “Teenagers” and “Helena” drew some of the biggest sing-alongs and excitement. By the very end of it, Way’s shoulder-length hair was slick with sweat.

4. Songs about death hit different now. MCR’s third album The Black Parade is arguably one of its best. But hearing songs like “Famous Last Words” and the epic “Welcome to the Black Parade” felt significantly different to me 16 years later. The album focuses heavily on death and the process of moving on. As a teen, I didn’t fully appreciate or understand that message. But as an adult, listening to Way sing with gusto about one’s memory carrying on, I was touched and reminded of how progressive these kinds of messages were, especially for a band many parents saw as a bad influence.

5. It was a reunion worth the wait. After a six-year hiatus and a little over two years of waiting for this reunion tour, it did not disappoint. As we filed out of the T-Mobile Arena, one fan had tears in her eyes. It warmed me to see the influence this band still had. Its memory will surely carry on.