If you’ve followed My Chemical Romance closely over the years, then you’ve probably tried your hand at cracking a few cryptic clues. From all of those subtle hints about their 2019 reunion to that Frank Iero broken clock analogy that will haunt us forever, My Chemical Romance are the kings of keeping things cryptic.
Now, it looks like fans are putting their theory caps back on. This week, two new shirts arrived at Hot Topic, and some fans think My Chemical Romance are teasing something through the latest merch items‘ descriptions and imagery.
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My Chemical Romance have a history of teaming up with Hot Topic to share exciting news. Back in 2019, Hot Topic held a super-secret Halloween event exclusively for a small group of fans. During the event, all of the attendees received tickets to My Chemical Romance’s Los Angeles return show which was announced during the occasion.
Now, some fans think MCR are using Hot Topic to tease another upcoming announcement. This week, new merch items arrived on the retail store’s site that have caught fans’ attention. The first is the Esoteric Statue Girls T-Shirt that features a new MCR logo and cryptic symbols. As we know, My Chemical Romance have debuted new logos and symbols before making big announcements.
[Photos via Hot Topic]
Back in 2016, they unveiled the new band logo MCRX that led to speculation a reunion was happening. However, it turns out MCR were just releasing the Black Parade 10th-anniversary reissue. As well, just before announcing their actual 2019 reunion show, My Chemical Romance debuted a series of symbols that eventually created their new band logo. Gerard Way‘s return show outfit even included some symbols fans managed to decode. In fact, MCR fans are still finding new hidden clues pertaining to their reunion nearly a year after the show happened.
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So, naturally, some are speculating on Reddit that the appearance of this new logo and symbols could mean an announcement is on the way. Along with all of this, the shirt also features the Esoteric Statue. Of course, My Chemical Romance have used statue imagery in the past.
Their 2019 reunion was filled with this imagery including that photo of the Pasquale Rizzoli statue that appeared on their social media announcements. As well, their iconic stage backdrop of the Angel Of The Waters has a deeper meaning related to the LGBTQIA+ community than some fans may not realize. Not only was the statue created by lesbian sculptor Emma Stebbins, but it is also featured in a prominent scene in Tony Kushner’s Angels in America.
Along with this new merch item, My Chemical Romance have also dropped the Seven Swords Foil Print Girls T-Shirt. The black and gold shirt features the image of Mary with seven swords pointed at her. However, the shirt’s description on Hot Topic’s website is intriguing to fans. Some theorize on the MCR Reddit thread that the description is a subtle hint that My Chemical Romance are actually planning something.
“Some speculate that the upturned swords symbolize new ideas brewing behind the scenes, that aren’t quite ready to be shared with the world,” the Hot Topic description says.
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The shirt’s imagery may also have a hidden meaning. In the world of Tarot, the Seven Of Swords, when presented upright as it is on the shirt, represents scheming, strategy, resourcefulness and even sneakiness. So, it’s possible MCR are subtly hinting they have some exciting plans up their sleeves.
The new merch item may also be a call back to the Our Lady of Lourdes, also known as the Blessed Virgin Mary. Back in November, Way shared a photo of this statue on his Instagram. The post quickly sparked theories an announcement was on the way. However, nothing substantial has been shared as of yet.
One fan on Reddit also pointed out the shirt could be in reference to Our Lady Of Sorrows. It’s not only a song name that appears on I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, but the biblical statue also appeared in My Chemical Romance’s iconic A Summoning… video.
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Earlier this week, one of My Chemical Romance’s U.K. shows was officially postponed. MCR were set to kick off their rescheduled return tour on June 15 in St. Austell, England. However, this End Sessions show has now been postponed for the second time. Currently, the Eden Project has not announced a new rescheduled date. As well, it’s unknown if future dates of My Chemical Romance’s return tour may be postponed in the future.
As it stands, My Chemical Romance’s return is set to begin June 17 in Milton Keynes. This date was originally the first show the band announced after their reunion concert in Los Angeles. Due to popular demand, two more shows at Stadium MK were eventually added after the dates quickly sold out. Ticketing information is available here.
My Chemical Romance tour dates:
06/15/2021 – St. Austell, UK @Eden Sessions *POSTPONED*
06/17/2021 – Milton Keynes, UK @Stadium MK (SOLD OUT)
06/19/2021 – Milton Keynes, UK @ Stadium MK (SOLD OUT)
06/20/2021 – Milton Keynes, UK @ Stadium MK (SOLD OUT)
06/22/2021 – Dublin, IE @ Royal Hospital Kilmainham
07/02/2021 – Prague, CZ @ Sinobo Stadium
07/04/2021 – Bologna, IT @ Sonic Park Fest
07/06/2021 – Bonn, DE @ KUNST!RASEN (SOLD OUT)
07/07/2021 – Bonn, DE @ KUNST!RASEN
07/09/2021 – Kiev, UA @ U Park Live
07/11/2021 – Moscow, RU @ Park Live Festival 2021
07/12/2021 – St. Petersburg, RU @ Ice Palace
09/08/2021 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center (SOLD OUT)
09/09/2021 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena (SOLD OUT)
09/11/2021 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center (SOLD OUT)
09/13/2021 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden (SOLD OUT)
09/15/2021 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena (SOLD OUT)
09/16/2021 – St Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center (SOLD OUT)
09/18/2021 – Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest
09/19/2021 – Atlanta, GA @ Music Midtown
09/21/2021 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center (SOLD OUT)
09/22/2021 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center (SOLD OUT)
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09/25/2021 – Sunrise, FL @ BB&T Center (SOLD OUT)
09/28/2021 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center (SOLD OUT)
09/29/2021 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center (SOLD OUT)
10/01/2021 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena (SOLD OUT)
10/03/2021 – Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome (SOLD OUT)
10/06/2021 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena (SOLD OUT)
10/08/2021 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena (SOLD OUT)
10/09/2021 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival
10/11/2021 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum (SOLD OUT)
10/12/2021 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum (SOLD OUT)
10/14/2021 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum (SOLD OUT)
10/17/2021 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum (SOLD OUT)
11/06/2021 – Western Springs, NZ @ The Outer Fields at Western Springs
What are your reactions to My Chemical Romance’s new merch? Do you think there are clues hidden in the shirts’ designs? Let us know in the comments below.