By: Matt Lambert
Blink-182 Fenway Park July 23rd 2024
Ever since the late 90s, I have been a fan of the SoCal band blink-182. The popular show MTV Total Request Live featured their hit single “Dammit” and they took the world by a storm since along with other hit songs they have stayed relevant, minus a 4 year breakup.
I would say they are one of the biggest three piece bands that could headline a stadium show that I have seen. The stage setup itself wasn’t too elaborate, it was just equipped with gigantic screens behind them. Travis Barker’s drum kit was on a platform that, spoiler alert, part way through the night suspended over Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppus for a few songs. I was half expecting it to spin around like Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee used to do. Even though it didn’t do that, it was entertaining to see him up there for a few tunes.
The three powered through their 26-song set, with seemingly the same chemistry as they had 24 years ago when they were at their peak. Delonge still had his teenage humor-like jokes, referencing things he said out loud at a previous concert that he got spoken to about. They may have grown a little older but not much more mature, which is definitely part of their charm.
This was their first time at Fenway Park, and while stadium shows aren’t necessarily my favorite, but, blink-182 seemed to fit the bill perfectly. They played all their hits including “Carousel” which was an early deep cut (before Barker was even in the band.) They also played a cover of one of Hoppus’ and Delonge's respective side projects (+44 “When your Heart Stops Beating” and Box Car Racer “There Is”.) They also played some new material from their latest album One More Time… including the title track as a closer song which I think is one of the best songs they have written. They came to the realization that they didn’t want to have sickness or near death experiences to make them miss each other and it certainly was evident at the concert.