Blink 182 - Live at the Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield

Blink 182
PLUS Twin Atlantic and The All American Rejects

SETLIST:

Feeling This
Up All Night
The Rock Show
What’s My Age Again?
Down
I Miss You
Wishing Well
Dumpweed
Always
Violence
After Midnight
First Date
Hearts All Gone
Man Overboard
Ghost On The Dancefloor
All The Small Things
Josie

ENCORE #1
Reckless Abandon (Acoustic)
All Of This (Acoustic)

ENCORE #2
Can A Drummer Get Some (Travis Barker Drum Solo)
Carousel
Dammit
Family Reunion

Yes that’s right, all of the above was included in Blink 182’s setlist at the Motorpoint Arena during Blink’s incredible European tour this year. Having postponed the tour from last July to this June, fans in 2011 were bitterly disappointed, so much that I saw tickets on ebay going for a huge price. I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed with the push back of the tour, though Blink had their reasons. Neighborhoods wasn’t finished, it’s as simple as that. The wait was most definitely worth it!

With support from Twin Atlantic and The All American Rejects, the night was already promising for a terrific display. Twin Atlantic were first to hit the stage, infront of a semi full crowd who actually could be bothered to get there on time (this is Sheffield after all) they had it all to do. Kick starting their 7 track setlist with ‘Edit Me’, the crowd began to bounce with the upbeat feel  that it has. Other crowd pleases were ‘Make A Beast Of Myself’ and the finale track ‘Free’ which were both exceptional. ‘Yes, I Was Drunk’ (TA’s next single) was probably my most favourite of the set. The slower and more headbobbing track was a track I wasn’t so keen on the ‘Free’ album, though after their display, my opinion was changed. Great performance from the Scott’s.

The All American Rejects followed in great style. Getting the crowd pumping with ‘Dirty Little Secret’ which of course, went down a treat. AAR weren’t as good as I was expecting but I can’t take anything away from them, I own a couple of their records and they are easy listening. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear their latest record but playing new single ‘Kids In The Street’ was the only track of the set I was unfamiliar with. ‘Move Along’, ‘Swing Swing’ and ‘It Ends Tonight’ were all great additions and had echoes of chorus’ from the crowd now growing with every minute passing to Blinks entrance. With great interaction to the crowd and general chit chat with security guards and live team, AAR were exceptional and a brilliant choice for main support acts.

Then came the moment that every 14+ year old in the crowd had been waiting for. The lights went down, and the crowd stared at the curtain in the way of those 3 magical people behind it. The curtain dropped as the first drum beat of ‘Feeling This’ struck revealing a happy faced Mark Hoppus, a stern faced Tom Delonge and the incredible Travis Barker. The crowd couldn’t have reacted aby better. The first 5 songs were crazy as kids were flying everywhere especially to the dark ‘Up All Night’. My only concern was how young the crowd around me actually was. It was unbelievable how young these kids were. This emphasises the impact a band such as Blink 182 has had on the world. Inspiring other bands as well as what they have given the fans. Favourite track on Neighborhoods ‘Wishing Well’ went down a treat but it was ‘Dumpweed’ that made my night. All-time favourite Blink track echoed through the arena as yet again the mosh pits opened and people began to gain self-inflicted wounds. Crowd pleaser ‘All The Small Things’ was obviously a treat, Delonge bringing out his younger mischievous self when changing the lyrics “watching, waiting, mastur-bating”, just beautiful. Having seen Angels & Airwaves earlier this year, I’ve been impressed with Delonges singing lately having seen and heard that his vocal skills weren’t exactly ‘great’. Hoppus and Delonge’s friendship is clearly as stronger than ever. No one can even distinguish a time when these 3 people were at locker heads. Blink was back and better than ever!

Encores are always a thrill, especially when Hoppus and Delonge enter the centre of the arena with acoustic guitars to play 2 tracks that essentially just made the night fantastic. Over the course of the tour, Blink have been playing different tracks (previous nights have included ‘Wasting Time’ and ‘Going Away to College’). In Sheffield, we were treated to ‘Reckless Abandon’ and ‘All of This’ (first time being played since 2004). Barker awaited on stage before hitting the kit for his incredible drum solo. How anyone can say he is not gifted is beyond me. The man is a musical genius, the way his arms move seems impossible. The solo was just beyond belief. If Barker did a solo tour I’d pay anything to go after this display. Hoppus and Delonge re-entered the stage for old classics ‘Carousel’ and ‘Dammit’ before confetti exploded and fell all around filling the arena. Delonge then kept the party going with ‘Family Reunion’. A “shit piss fuck cunt cock sucker mother fucker tits fart turd and twat” was all that was needed to top the night!

Blink’s display was incredible. The support couldn’t have been better and the night was fantastic. They have made the wait for the tour so much worth it. “Blink 182 life. For life”