Sure, Linkin Park was listed as the headliner as the Projekt Revolution tour arrived at the New York State Fair Tuesday.

That doesn’t mean they were the main act of the night.

That honor, due to a combination of audience enthusiasm and extreme showmanship, was bestowed upon My Chemical Romance.

This has very little, though, to do with the band. In the greater scheme of musical talent, My Chemical Romance is just not that great. They are a mildly interesting alternative rock band with a slew of mildly catchy radio hits, all of which were played during the show.

What separated this band from the 11 others that played during the festival was frontman Gerard Way. Dressed in his trademark black-and-red leather marching band outfit, Way made a direct connection with the audience, starting with his first song. He then worked hard to hold it all the way through the hour-long set.

‘You people over there,’ Way screamed at the group not centered around the stage, ‘Are you waiting for the pisser, or to get a hot dog? Or are you waiting for an invitation to fill in this f*cking space. (You) must be waiting for something good, because this s*it right here is pretty f*cking amazing.’

Way bounded around the set, sweating profusely, as he and his bandmates played both hits from their latest album, ‘The Black Parade,’ as well as their classics, like ‘Helena’ and ‘Give ’em Hell, Kid.’

Way never slowed down, hurling commands and curses at the audience to get them out of their seat and excited.

‘I like you guys so much today,’ he said. ‘Maybe not next week, but right now. I want you to high-five each other, because it’s that kind of event.’

The audience responded; hands across the stadium were slapped.

This was just one demonstrative command among many during My Chemical Romance’s set. The most memorable being Way’s persuasion to get all the guys spinning their shirts above their heads. And that they did.

The band’s set was topped off by a fantastic stage show, including pyrotechnics from the very beginning. Fireworks, stage fog and flames were all part of the set’s hype.

‘It was awesome, the fire, you could feel it from way back,’ said Sydney Desaw, 21, of Lafayette and a student at St. John Fischer’s College.

Projekt Revolution started in 2002, bringing together artists and fans of both rock and hip-hop. The show ran from 12:45 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Although My Chemical Romance was certainly the height of the show, they weren’t the only memorable act.

Linkin Park, playing for almost two hours, was a semi-pleasingly angry end to a long day. The band’s music sounded exactly like their albums, with lead singer Chester Bennington belting his way through songs, topped by a scream that makes blood run cold.

They played all their big hits, including ‘Crawling,’ ‘In The End’ and ‘Numb,’ as well as songs from their latest album, ‘Minutes to Midnight,’ released last May.

‘They are so loud and obnoxious,’ said Christina Garcia, 14, of Courtland, and a student at Monroe High School. ‘It’s awesome.’

Linkin Park played their set in front of a giant digital screen, which created an effect like watching a screen saver. At best, it was pretty-animated scenes from their ‘Breaking the Habit’ video-and at worst, cheesy-clip-art style lightening.

But after watching My Chemical Romance, it was disappointing that one could get the same effect of a live Linkin Park show if they put the band’s CD into their computer and then let the machine rest.

Another notable act of the night was Placebo, who pummeled through a quick half-hour set of musical force including their hits ‘Pure Morning’ and ‘Every You Every Me.’ Also worth mentioning was Taking Back Sunday, who pumped up the audience for the headlining acts.

‘[Taking Back Sunday] was here last year and they [brought] the same energy,’ said Tiffany Lambolin, 32, a bartender from Courtland, N.Y.

Still, no act could overshadow My Chemical Romance and their charismatic frontman’s wild stage antics.

‘I can’t say you’re the best crowd of the tour, but you’re sure as f*ck my favorite crowd of the tour,’ Way said.

It’s safe to say the audience felt the same way about him.

Projekt Revolution 2007 LineupMadina LakeStyles of BeyondThe BledSaosinMindless Self Indulgence Julien-KPlaceboHIM Taking Back SundayMy Chemical RomanceLinkin Park

Published on August 28, 2007 at 12:00 pm