In order to headline arenas, bands know they have to become greater versions of themselves. This means more flashing lights, more kick ass guitar licks—basically more rock, more roll. That recipe was cooked up to delicious perfection Tuesday night before Thanksgiving when Paramore was welcomed home to Bridgestone Arena.

Very few non-country acts have the longevity to grow through different stages of the Nashville music scene but lead singer Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis and guitarist Taylor York have proven they are here for the long haul. The group debuted onto the Nashville underground grunge rock scene in 2005, playing clubs around town such as Exit/in and The End.

After the band’s second album “Riot” caught national media attention, the band garnered its first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2008. Since then the band has played to sold-out crowds across the world including: Singapore, Australia, and even at our very own Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium.

The crowd of about 7,000 hardcore fans welcomed the band with homemade “Welcome Home” signs and Williams was brought to tears during the first few verses of the band’s second song.

“If you guys only knew what we were feeling up here tonight. We eat, sleep and breathe this town, and it feels so good to be home,” noted Williams as the rolled into the band’s chart topper “That’s What You Get.”

Throughout the show you could sense the pride and love the band had for their hometown. In the midst of performing their first number one hit “The Only Exception,” Williams invited up a childhood friend to the stage and he proposed to his girlfriend. Other highlights included the Spring Hill High School Choir taking the stage to help Paramore take the crowd to church on “Ain’t It Fun.” To close out the show the band members brought up one lucky fan to help them sing “Misery Business” to close out the night’s show.

After their brief hometown hello, Paramore concluded their 2013 The Self-Titled Tour featuring openers Metric and Hello Goodbye on Wednesday night in Atlanta. The trio will then join acts Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, and many more as part of I Heart Radio’s Jingle Ball Tour. The holiday extravaganza will make stops in Tampa, Philadelphia, New York City and several other major markets before Christmas.

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