Panic! At the Disco. Staples Center, LA. August 15, 2018

About three years ago I accidentally listened to Panic! At the Disco's last album "Death of a Bachelor" and immediately wondered, "Why has no one told me about them before?"

Sure, I knew Panic! existed, but I didn't really know lead singer (and only continuous band member) Brendon Urie's music until that fateful day when the strains of songs like "Golden Days" and "Crazy=Genius" washed over me with a giddy infectiousness that I immediately fell for. The album became my gym go-to and was a constant in my car. Then I went back and downloaded their previous albums and my love affair continued.

Now, with Urie's latest pop-rock masterpiece "Prayer for the Wicked," Panic! At the Disco has cemented itself as the band I go to when I need to feel inspired, uplifted, and just plain ready to dance around my apartment with abandon.

And that's the thing: Urie's physical presence personifies just that. When he popped out of the stage floor at the Staples Center Wednesday night for the L.A. stop of his "Panic! At the Disco: Prayer for the Wicked" tour, the audience was instantly in his grasp. Despite the flashy lighting and frenetic LED screens behind him, the only special effect this show needed was Urie himself.

Dressed in a funky black sports coat over a black t-shirt and tight black leather pants, he bopped around the stage like the happiest hunk in the world. You could practically see the audiences faces light up with "smiley face with heart eyes" emojis as he launched into "(Fuck a) Silver Lining" and didn't stop for another 27 songs.

I've seen clips of older shows that almost had a vaudevillian Broadway feel to them so I wasn't sure what to expect. This tour was a bit simpler with no costume changes (except when he - thank you, Jesus - came out shirtless for the encore) and a stage that jutted out into the audience where Urie spent most of his time.

But what is fascinating about it is that this is all that was needed. Urie is a bonafide superstar and his music - those contagious, catchy, clever tunes that mark him as a breathtaking songwriter - were the only thing that needed to share the stage with him.

That doesn't take away from his guitarist, female bass player, all-female string trio, drummer, and horn section - all of which backed Urie up like the happiest kids on the playground.

And to be clear, there were some terrific surprises during the night. Urie walked through the audience during "Death of a Bachelor" to the delight of so many selfie-taking fans. He rode a piano in mid-air as it traveled from the back of the Staples Center to the front while singing a medley Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and his ballad "Dying in L.A." He did a total bop of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (he recently starred in Lauper's "Kinky Boots" on Broadway) and did a rousing crowd-pleasing version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

And that's the big takeaway here. With all the strife and stress and confusion going on in the world, sometimes we just need to feel some joy; which is exactly what Urie and his music allows. Truth be told, as a reviewer sometimes we have to go to concerts alone. This was no exception. And at a sprightly 50 years old it can be harder and harder to let yourself go at events like this. Not only because you feel like a minority with the younger crowd around you, but because of the requisite aches and pains of age.

But Urie and his music gave me permission to just let go. I danced with the girl next to me, exhibiting some moves even I didn't know I had in me. I smiled from ear to ear. I sang as loud as I could. And for the first time in a long time, I didn't want the show to end. (Um, hello, where was "Roaring '20s?")

And let's be honest, staring down at the gorgeous and charming Urie doesn't hurt either. As my friend (who was sitting across the auditorium) texted me after the third song, "Um. He's perfect."

"Panic! At the Disco" played August 15th at the Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA. For more information about upcoming shows at the Staples Center visit .

For more info about Panic! At the Disco visit the band's website.