Ex-My Chemical Romance bloke is back with new moves and slim mod-style. And Sarah Lawrence was there to see it...

The former My Chemical Romance frontman is used to commanding the vast stages at the Reading and Leeds Festivals and sold out arenas when in the UK.

Gone are the MCR uniforms of goth, military black jackets, and rock, motorcycle leathers, and the trademark red hair after splitting from the band.

They have been replaced by a mod-style slim fit suit and pencil thin tie as well as bright orange locks.

What is not gone is Way’s command of the stage, despite it being a fraction of the size, his ability to demand the attention of the audience, and the strong rock voice with occasional punk growl.

Playing material from his new solo album ‘Hesitant Alien’, Way bounded out onto the stage at Cowley Road’s O2 Academy to The Bureau followed by Action Cat to get the crowd bouncing.

With new moves reminiscent of Gary Numan and Brett Anderson of Suede, he still managed to leap around the small stage.

His love of the Britpop scene was cemented by announcing he had met one of his “all time heroes” that day, Oxford’s Gaz Coombes from Supergrass.

The more synth pop feel to his new album transferred surprisingly well to the live stage with superb backing by The Hormones, who could at times be mistaken for Mikey Way and Frank Ireo, especially Millions and No Shows.

It’s obvious that although he tries to make musical art using various techniques to transform his voice and the feel of the music, Way is happiest when in front of guitars and a drum kit.

You can take the boy out of My Chemcial Romance but you can’t take My Chemical Romance out of the boy.