Blink 182 live in London
- By Claire Rollins -
- Jun 15, 2012
"Sometimes it takes us one and half years to play a show, thank you for sticking with us," Mark Hoppus beams to the 20,000 fans in London’s O2 Arena. As the curtain drops we’re transported into Blink 182’s epic pop punk back catalogue. Kicking off with ‘Feeling This’, the pace continues as they play roll out classics like ‘The Rock Show’ and ‘What’s My Age Again?’
Keeping it old school for all the long time fans, only five songs from their newest album ‘Neighbourhoods’ are performed, including popular choices ‘Ghost on the Dancefloor’ and ‘After Midnight.’ It’s exciting to hear the new material live, though it's clear everyone is there to hear their favourites from older albums.
So much energy radiates from the stage it’s easy to forget that the three members are now in their late 30s with kids and marriage in tow. Travis Barker becomes so enthusiastic on the drums at one point that he cuts open his finger. No problem though, as Mark and Tom fill in the time it takes for him to fetch a bandage with their infamous ‘Blowjob’ song. Later on in the show they perform another comedy favourite ‘F*** a Dog’. The spark and immaturity of their youth, which became an endearing part of Blink 182’s success, is definitely still alive and rude today.
The band doesn’t forget about their more serious side however, singing ‘I Miss You’ and ‘Always’ for everyone’s inner teenage angst. With thousands shouting back the lyrics word for word, it’s a real ‘goosebumps-all-over’ moment. It’s uplifting to see just how ecstatic both the fans and Blink 182 are at being back on tour in the UK after so long. In an interview with Zane Lowe on Radio 1, Hoppus admitted the band actually took time to rehearse this time, whereas in the past ‘the first two weeks of tour were the rehearsals.’ The practice certainly paid off, their vocals and instruments extremely tight.
The encore kicks off with a jaw-dropping drum solo from Travis Barker, making damn sure his reputation as one of the world’s greatest drummers is still secure. The show comes to an end with ‘Carousel’ and ‘Dammit’, two of their most popular oldies, along with some of the largest explosions of confetti the O2 has ever seen. It’s an epic and equally emotional end to such a nostalgic hour and a half for long waiting fans. Not being the kind of guys to leave on a serious note, they fit in a quick rendition of ‘Family Reuinion’ before exiting the stage. A huge arena full of people singing verses of swear words; only at a Blink 182 show.
I doubt I’m alone when I say they can be forgiven for making us wait another year for their come back. For old and new fans alike, they most definitely created a show to remember. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait another six years for their next return.
By Claire Rollins. Blogs at writeitoffthewall.wordpress.com and tweets at @Claireyyyy
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