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After making their way across Europe over the past few weeks punk heroes Green Day brought their Revolution Radio tour to the UK with a 2 and a half hour energy-packed set at Leeds First Direct Arena.
California’s The Interrupters proved to be a great opening act – even with the initial personal disappointment that they weren’t Rancid – who are on many of the European dates. The 3 Bovina brothers fronted by the effervescent Aimee looked like they were having a great time and got the party started with their feel good ska punk. Aimee sounded like a less abrasive Brody Dalle and had the biggest smile you’d ever seen.
As The Ramones blasted over the PA, and a giant pink hype bunny appeared from the wings to get the crowd going (definitely without a doubt it was Tré) the crowd went wild.
Green Day shows have always been about energy, showmanship and crowd interaction. This one was no different with a young girl picked from the crowd to sing Know Your Enemy with Billie Joe within a minute and a half of the show starting and there was enough pyro and confetti throughout the set to close an Olympic ceremony. They don’t really need a pink bunny to do their hype for them, Billie Joe has always been one of the most engaging frontmen around and to be fair the crowd were ready to go even before the gig when Tré Cool was spotted running around the venue hiding drumsticks for fans to find.
The set was packed full of their biggest songs and select cuts from their latest album. Everyone was catered for with Dookie, Nimrod, Kerplunk and personal favourite album Warning being featured. Although they are definitely closer to the rock end of the punk rock spectrum nowadays they still sounded urgent and full of vigour, just with much more oomph than they perhaps had in the earlier days. From short punchy tracks like Minority to the 9 minute epicness of tracks like Jesus of Suburbia to the complete let it all hang out absurdness of King For A Day Green Day have absolutely everything in their catalogue to ensure a varied and entertaining night and they also have possibly the best closing track any band has written ever.
Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) was ringing in everyones ears as the celebrations came to an end. It’s safe to say that every body did have the time of their lives. They will be back in summer for a BST festival show (with Rancid) so you don’t have to wait too long for your chance to catch them again.
It felt so good to have them back.