HIS entire UK tour may have sold out in less than five minutes, but fans of former My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way showed their dedication as they queued overnight in the cold and the rain to be the first into his Southampton show.

More than 50 devotees braved the freezing wind and rain to make sure they could be near the stage at his hotly-anticipated performance at the O2 Guildhall, which follows the release of Way's solo album Hesitant Alien.

The first fan turned up at 9pm last night and was joined by others at about 1am, with groups forming friendships while camped outside the arena.

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Laura Dale, 23, (above) was the first in line and come show time she will have waited for 22 hours in total.

The Bournemouth resident said: "I've been a fan of his previous band for about a decade and it's been one of the few constants that I have really loved his music for an incredibly long time.

"I wanted to come early because it's the only show I can come to on this tour and I thought the best way was to come incredibly early."

Laura was joined by scores of others who brought sleeping bags, tents, ponchos and blankets to help keep them warm while waiting.

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Will Turner and Nate Blakley.

 

Despite the bitter wind spirits were high among the group and the music lovers happily chatted to each other and shared provisions.

Daily Echo: Gerard Way.

 

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Ashleigh Campbell (above) 23, of Wycombe, said: "Me and three others got here at midnight - I thought 'I'm going to be at the front or there's no point going'.

"I've camped out for shows before and I always say I'm not doing it again and they always come in winter."

Way, originally from New Jersey in America, attained stardom with rock band My Chemical Romance but says he drew from British icons Jarvis Cocker and Damon Albarn to find his new sound.

Doors opened for the sold-out show at 7pm this evening.