Paramore singer Hayley Williams amazes in Pittsburgh show

PITTSBURGH - Wow, is Hayley Williams an amazing showwoman.

The Paramore singer never stayed still Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. Like a supercharged cyclone of karate kicks, dance steps, gymnastic back bends, spins, and jogging in place, Williams brought an infectious energy to the stage − and, oh, yeah − she sang strongly, with impressive range.

Charming and fierce at the same time, Williams commanded the attention of a delighted, full-house crowd predominantly 20s-through-30s. According to their screams when queried by the singer, a large majority of those fans were seeing Paramore live for the first time.

They got what they hoped for, as the Tennessee band delivered tight, punchy and often danceable rock 'n roll powered by the thick drum smacks of Zac Farro.

Paramore launched with "You First" and "The News" from February's widely acclaimed "This is Why," the 20-year-old band's sixth studio album.

Embarked on its first arena tour in 10 years, Paramore threw in some pyro on several songs, most notably a shower of sparks cascading behind the stage, though Williams correctly ascertained that the crowd was the show's most important production value.

Fans sang along loudly and pogo-style danced on "That's What You Get," as Williams sweetly cooed some early lines, setting up the grit and sass as the song goes on to lament a relationship where she followed her heart but didn't listen to her head.

Songs like "Caught in The Middle" and "Rose-Colored Boy," infused with a bit of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," showcased Paramore's poppier side.

"Running out of Time" brought a punchier, edgier sound, with guitarist Taylor York stretching out a bit.

Audience members briefly batted around a beach ball someone smuggled in, and Williams told them, "You get louder every song."

Thousands of fans let their lit-up cellphones shine for "Lost Hope."

Sporting pink shorts, a rolled-up long sleeved pink top, dark tights bearing a cross emblem and laced up dress shoes, Williams scampered off the main stage as the house lights faded, re-emerging on an elevated and smaller B-stage behind the drum kit to sing the slower, moodier "Liar" and the pop-funk "Crystal Clear," which she began a cappella.

Williams, York and Farro returned to the main stage for the pyro-infused "Hard Times," embellished with a bit of Blondie's "Heart of Glass." York blissfully lost himself in a guitar frenzy at the end of "Figure 8."

Dry ice smoke covered the stage and fans' cellphone lights returned, this time with arms melodically waving in unison, for "The Only Exception," the 2010 double-platinum ballad Williams explained was an anomaly at the time, written when Paramore was still trying to prove itself as a hard-edged band. Tour band rhythm guitarist Brian Robert Jones added vocals on that song.

Farro came out from his drum kit to sing lead vocals on a cool power-pop song "Baby" by his side project HalfNoise.

Spotting a fan in the audience with a sign boasting of seeing Paramore 35 times, Williams brought that fan, named David, on stage to sing the final verse of the alt-rocking/pop-punking "Misery Business." The crowd loved David's enthusiasm and charisma.

Still singing with clarity and gusto, Williams had a few karate kicks left for "Ain't It Fun" preceding the encore.

With the clock approaching 11 p.m., Williams remained a cheerful presence, leading the crowd in singing "Happy birthday" to a fan holding aloft an "It's my birthday" sign, then adding it's also the birthday for her physical therapist, whom she credited by name for keeping her in such tip-top concert shape.

Paramore ended with the bouncy "This Is Why" title track, a 2023 anthem against the angry, selfish way people now express their beliefs, with Williams singing the kicker, "This is why I don't leave the house."

Her performance Sunday was exactly why we do leave the house, to feel uplifted and dance and be blown away by a band and its powerhouse frontwoman.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.