Review: Blink-182 is no joke as it delivers powerful evening of pop-punk
"It means so (expletive) much to me that all of you are here," Mark Hoppus says during Blink-182 concert at SAP Center in San Jose.
Between the genitalia jokes, bountiful swear words and off-color comments about “your mom,” Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus got serious wit the massive crowd at the SAP Center in San Jose as he talked about his battle with cancer and how thrilled he was to be back up onstage again.
“It means so (expletive) much to me that all of you are here,” said the vocalist-bassist, who underwent chemotherapy and is reportedly now cancer free. “This next song is about finding light in the darkness and it goes out to every single person here tonight. I love you.”
The pop-punk trio — which also includes vocalist-guitarist Tom DeLonge and phenomenal drummer Travis Barker — then launched into “Adam’s Song,” with its lyrics addressing depression and suicidal thoughts taking on new meaning in the context of what Hoppus had just told the crowd.
“Tomorrow holds such better days,” Hoppus sang. “Days when I can still feel alive, when I can’t wait to get outside. The world is wide, the time goes by. The tour is over, I’ve survived.”
Hoppus played the entire 90-minute-plus show like a man who was getting a second chance at living out his dreams, performing each of the 26 selections with a mixture of joy and enthusiasm. And the rest of the band followed suit, making the San Jose stop on this unexpected reunion tour — marking DeLonge’s long-awaited return — feel like so much more than just a cash grab. Instead, it felt important, justified and, indeed, needed.
The result is one of the hottest tours of the year, packing arenas across North America with fans who grew up enjoying Blink’s patented combination of juvenile humor and sturdy pop-punk hooks.
Setlist:
1, “Anthem Part Two”
2, “The Rock Show”
3, “Family Reunion”
4, “Man Overboard”
5, “Feeling This”
6, “Reckless Abandon”
7, “Violence”
8, “Up All Night”
9, “Dysentery Gary”
10, “Dumpweed”
11, “Edging”
12, “Aliens Exist”
13, “Cynical”
14, “Happy Holidays, You Bastard”
15, “Happy Holidays, You Bastard” (yes, the song was indeed played twice)
16, “Stay Together for the Kids”
17, “Always”
18, “Down”
19, “Bored to Death”
20, “I Miss You”
21, “Adam’s Song”
22, “Ghost on the Dance Floor”
23, “What’s My Age Again?”
24, “First Date”
25, “All the Small Things”
26, “Dammit”
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Reach the lifeline at 988 or 800-273-8255, or see the 988lifeline.org website.