I have watched 30 Seconds to Mars grow over the last three and a half to four years. I had been a fan for nearly a year before I first saw them open for Breaking Benjamin at a 350 capacity club in Lawrence, KS in December 2002. At this time, and on their tour the following spring with Chevelle, I tried very hard to like their live performance, but they just were not that amazing live. Yet.

This show found 30 Seconds to Mars on what they said was their first 'official' headlining tour entitled "Forever Night Never Day." The Pageant in particular is a 2,500 capacity venue, and I assume the others on the tour are of similar size. They have sold out nearly every show on the tour, although this show in particular was not one of those. It's not to say they didn't draw a good sized crowd, though. Speaking of the crowd... A 30 Seconds to Mars show is the one show where it is socially acceptable, and actually encouraged, to wear everything you possibly can that says you're a fan. The band takes pictures of fans at shows and posts them on their website.

With a longer set time as a headlining band, 30 Seconds to Mars played a nice mix of stuff off their self-titled album as well as their new release, A Beautiful Lie. Songs from the old CD included "Capricorn (A Brand New Name)" and "Budda for Mary." They played a greater selection from A Beautiful Lie, since they are touring to promote it. Both singles ("The Kill" and "Attack") were included, as well as one of my personal favorites, "The Fantasy." This song requires audience participation on the "oo oh oh oh" part of the song, something the crowd, and the band, very much seemed to enjoy.