After Laughter World Tour

Lore & Background

The visual language of the tour drew heavily from 1980s and 90s pop culture, utilizing geometric shapes and soft color palettes to create a dreamlike environment. This design choice reinforced the lyrical content, which often explored the complexity of finding happiness after heartbreak. The band's performance style evolved to match this lighter tone, incorporating more choreography and interactive elements that encouraged audience participation. It was a celebration of survival, proving that laughter could indeed follow tears.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the arena hummed with a different kind of electricity than before. As the lights dimmed, they didn't fade into darkness but erupted into a cascade of soft pinks and electric blues. Hayley stepped forward, not with a scowl, but with a grin that cut through the tension. The opening synth chords rang out, bright and sharp like glass catching sunlight. For a moment, the crowd held its breath, used to the roar of distortion, but then the beat dropped—a driving, infectious rhythm that demanded movement. Hands went up, not in fists of anger, but open palms reaching for the light. In that shared space, under the geometric glow of the stage, everyone understood: they were here not to mourn what was lost, but to celebrate what remained.

Reader's Guide

The setlists for this era blended new synth-pop anthems with reimagined versions of classic rock hits, often stripping away heavy distortion in favor of rhythmic basslines and shimmering keyboards. The band's performance style shifted towards a more theatrical presentation, incorporating synchronized movements and playful banter that reflected the album's upbeat tone. Stage design was a standout feature, utilizing massive LED screens displaying retro-futuristic graphics and pastel backdrops that changed with every song. Lighting played a crucial role, moving away from harsh strobes to softer, washing colors that enhanced the dreamy atmosphere of the show. Memorable moments included surprise acoustic segments where the band stripped songs down to their core, creating intimate connections with the audience despite the large venue sizes. Opening acts varied by region but were carefully selected to complement the tour's vibrant energy, often featuring bands with a similar indie or pop-rock sensibility.

Did You Know?

• The tour's visual aesthetic was heavily inspired by 1980s and 1990s graphic design trends, favoring pastel colors over dark tones.
• Several classic Paramore songs were rearranged with a synth-pop production style to match the new era's sound.
• The band incorporated more choreographed elements into their live performances compared to previous rock-focused tours.
• This tour marked one of the first times the band fully embraced a pop-oriented stage show without compromising their alternative roots.

Tour Structure and Global Reach

The After Laughter World Tour served as the fourth global excursion for American rock band Paramore, supporting their fifth studio album released in May 2017. Spanning from June 15, 2017, in Dublin to September 7, 2018, in Nashville, the extensive itinerary comprised one hundred dates across multiple continents. The tour was strategically segmented into five distinct phases to accommodate different venue sizes and regions. It began with intimate European venues under 'Tour One' before expanding to North America for 'Tour Two.' Subsequent legs included arena shows in Europe, a wide-ranging trek through Oceania, Asia, and Hawaii known as 'Tour Four,' and culminated in the summer 2018 North American leg alongside Foster The People. This phased approach allowed the band to connect with fans in both cozy settings and large arenas, though logistical challenges arose; Hurricane Irma forced rescheduling of Florida dates, while illness required adjustments for performances in Jakarta and Manila.

The Return of Zac Farro

A defining narrative arc of this touring cycle was the reunion of drummer Zac Farro with the group. This marked the first time since 2010 that Farro performed live with Paramore, following his departure on December 18, 2010. His official rejoining occurred on February 2, 2017, just months before the tour's European launch in June of that year. This personnel change was significant for the band's dynamic and fanbase, as it signaled a return to a classic lineup configuration after several years without him. The tour effectively served as the platform for this reconciliation, allowing Farro to reintegrate into the live performance aspect of the band while promoting the new material from After Laughter. His presence added a layer of continuity and stability during a period when the band was navigating the promotional cycle for their fifth album across diverse international markets.

Single Releases and Promotional Timeline

The tour's trajectory was closely synchronized with a steady stream of single releases designed to maintain momentum throughout the year-long run. The campaign kicked off on April 19, 2017, with 'Hard Times' serving as the lead single alongside the initial European date announcements. This was quickly followed by 'Told You So' in the UK and the full album drop in May, which also coincided with the announcement of the third Parahoy! Cruise. As the tour progressed through its various legs, the band continued to release new music, including 'Fake Happy' in November 2017, 'Rose-Colored Boy' in February 2018, and finally 'Caught in the Middle' in June 2018. This staggered release strategy ensured that fresh content was available for fans attending different stages of the tour, from the intimate early shows to the final summer dates.

Legacy and Final Celebration

The conclusion of the After Laughter era was marked by a unique event titled Art + Friends, held on September 7, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. Described by the band as a celebration of local music, art, and community, this final show served as the official end to the tour cycle. Paramore headlined the event, sharing the stage with supporting acts such as COIN, Bully, Nightingale, Liza Anne, and Canon Blue. Critical reception during the tour highlighted the band's ability to forge deep connections with their audience; a review of a Mountain View performance noted how lead singer Hayley Williams encouraged fan unity while the entire group exuded raw emotion. This final gathering in Nashville not only closed out one hundred dates but also reinforced the strong bond between the artists and their supporters, capping off a successful global journey.

Gallery