In a haunting celebration reminiscent of the band’s iconic style, the annual Ghouls’ Day Out event attracted My Chemical Romance (MCR) fans to the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
Since its inception in 2021, the event has drawn thousands of guests dressed in their darkest finery, a fitting tribute to the band’s legacy, especially as this year marks the 20th anniversary of the music video for “Helena,” filmed at the church.
The dark, atmospheric venue, despite having no direct affiliation with the event’s organizers, has become synonymous with the band, making it the ultimate destination for devoted fans.
Among the sea of fans clad in black button-down shirts and red ties—a nod to the band’s costuming in the “Helena” video—Artist Jonathan Maya made a striking impression with his skeletal face paint and a spooky marching band uniform inspired by the album cover of The Black Parade.
Maya, embodying his character, stood silently at the entrance, devoted to his craft as he interacted minimally with event-goers.
Attendee Ary, a seasoned fan showcasing an elaborate black-and-white ensemble paired with a ghostly blonde wig and gas mask, shared her heartfelt connection to MCR.
Having been an ardent supporter since 2011, she expressed, “For me, personally, it helped me feel less alone. I was one of the weird kids growing up, and I felt like their music really spoke to me and helped me find a community.”
Another fan, Laisa, took inspiration from MCR to create her own twist on the “Black Parade version” of Hatsune Miku, a popular Japanese virtual idol.
Her meticulous costume took days to assemble, featuring Miku’s signature pigtails, black thigh-high boots, and unique sleeves crafted from old jeans.
Laisa, a fan for 13 years, planned to see MCR for the fourth time during their upcoming July tour, stating, “I just love their style. They’re very individualistic. They [helped] me through really rough times with their music.”
The Ghouls’ Day Out event truly catered to a diverse audience, welcoming attendees of all ages—from emotional children to adults well into their 40s and 50s.
One fan, who described herself as “an old school goth girl from the ‘80s,” brought her daughter along as a thoughtful Mother’s Day gesture.
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Nicolas, whose style was defined by red eye makeup and black eyeliner influenced by lead singer Gerard Way, found resonance in the haunting lyrics and themes of MCR’s music.
“I [felt] like this music spoke to me because I’ve always been into more of that horror stuff, and I like that you’re allowed to be more [expressive] in femininity and stuff like that,” he shared.
The church, known as the “MCR church,” was transformed into a gothic wonderland, complete with décor and replicas inspired by the legendary music video.
To enhance the festivities, attendees were treated to meet-and-greet opportunities with the actress who portrayed “Helena,” alongside ghoulish photo ops that captured the event’s unique ambiance.
Further contributing to the event’s atmosphere, the Ghouls’ Market was a bustling hub in the church’s parking lot, featuring a variety of spooky goods and treats provided by local artists and small businesses.
Additionally, emo tribute bands filled the air with nostalgic sounds from MCR’s extensive discography and iconic songs from other beloved bands like Green Day, AFI, and Fall Out Boy.
Such festivities encapsulated the essence of Ghouls’ Day Out, an event where music, community, and creative expression forged unforgettable memories for fans of all ages.
image source from：https://lataco.com/my-chemical-romance-fan-event
