It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right. I hope you had the time of your life.
I’m often asked, “What is the best gig you have ever been to?” And I will say Green Day. “Ah, but which one?” they add. All of them, I reply.
And that was the case at Wembley Stadium, Saturday 29 June 2024. You see, I have been to hundreds of gigs, from huge stadiums to venues which hold under 50, and Green Day have that bit extra than any other of my favourites. Three hours of high energy, excellent music and good old kick-ass fun. Even if you’re not a fan, I defy you not to have left the stadium with a wow! What just happened?
From the moment the audience sang along to Bohemian Rhapsody, into Drunk Bunny dancing to Blitzkrieg Bop, and the band entering for the main event, right until that final curtain of Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), everyone present was transported into nothing short of heaven. Or whatever one imagines heaven to be.
After opening with The American Dream is Killing Me from the recently released Saviours album, the guys then played 1994 monster, Dookie, in full, even including the hidden bonus track (All by Myself) at the end. Obviously, 1994/2024 gives away the reason for this as it’s the 30th anniversary of the classic. But what an album it was: Burnout, Having a Blast, Longview, Welcome to Paradise, Pulling Teeth, Basket Case, When I Come Around and much, much more, as they used to say on the old 1970s K-Tel compilation adverts. It’s a banging record and probably only second to their most iconic. Also, during She, there was a guest appearance on guitar with Billie Joe Armstrong’s son, Jakob.
Which brings us, not at all coincidentally, to the second album to be done in its entirety on the day, as it is also the 20th anniversary of American Idiot. In between the two spotlighted sets we had a short mix of top tunes past and present including Know Your Enemy, Brain Stew and Minority from hits of old, to One Eyed Bastard, Look Ma – No Brains and Dilemma from the 2024, Saviours.
American Idiot. What can I say? It’s epic and not a single song on it that I don’t like. The perfect album and probably the one out of the 2000+ I own that I’d take to a desert island. The title rack, into Jesus of Suburbia, then Holiday, it just gets better and better with each listen, and to hear it in its entirety at Wembley Stadium with 80,000 people was something even I struggle to put into words. Phenomenal.
Finally, after one more new track in Bobby Sox, we had the staple finisher and a Billie Joe Armstrong solo with the already mentioned Good Riddance (Time of Your Life). Tre Cool, Mike Dirnt and co returned for the applause where Armstrong appeared overwhelmed, seated at the front of stage as he took in the atmosphere.
I can say the entire day was incredible. Also unpredictable, but I did have the time of my life.
Cheers.
Antony N Britt - Author 