The historic grounds, usually serene and stoic, were transformed into a haven for pop-punk enthusiasts, with a sold-out crowd that had been eagerly awaiting this moment since the band were forced to cancel their scheduled date in September 2023 in the 3Arena.
As the sun set over Dublin, the anticipation reached fever pitch. Opening act, The Story so Far, seemed lacklustre, and dare I say it, bored, as they ran through their set, with each member mostly glued to the same spot like the floor was lava. Either way, the crowd seemed to enjoy their presence, and that’s the main thing.
When Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker, and Tom DeLonge finally took the stage via live footage from the big screens, the crowd erupted and the party well and truly began.
Blink-182 opened with “Feeling This,” a fitting choice that immediately set the tone for the night. The crowd, a mix of old-school fans and younger ones who discovered the band post-reunion, screamed every word back at the stage. The energy was electric, with the 15,000 strong crowd celebrating what truly felt like the last moments of Summer.
As always, the chemistry between Hoppus, DeLonge, and Barker was undeniable, with DeLonge’s signature nasally vocals cutting through the night air like a time capsule from the early 2000s, despite battling a head cold.
The setlist was a well-crafted journey through Blink-182’s extensive catalog featuring ‘Rock Show‘, ‘Man Overboard‘, ‘Aliens Exist‘, and new banger, ‘Dance With Me‘, to get the crowd going. With a significantly bass-heavy mix for the first few tracks, the sound clicked into place by ‘Wendy Clear‘, and thankfully remained crystal clear for the duration of the show.
We were treated to ‘Edging‘, ‘Up All Night‘, ‘More Than You Know‘, before being whisked back to the late ’90s/early ’00s, with ‘Stay Together For The Kids‘, and ‘Going Away To College‘, which was pure magic.
Some of the highlights of the night were ‘Down‘, and “I Miss You,” – both of which never fail to bring out the emotions. The crowd’s energy shifted from raucous to reflective, with thousands of voices singing along to every haunting line. DeLonge’s distinct voice on, ‘I Miss You‘; “Where are you? And I’m so sorry…” echoed through the grounds, sending chills down the spine of anyone within earshot.
Throughout the night, Hoppus and DeLong kept the banter light and humorous, joking about everything from dick-pics, to their first orgasm, which, of course, generated in bursts of laughter from the crowd, including the large group of Garda that stood by Exit B, who could not resist Blink’s… infectious filthy humour.
If anything, this was testament to the overall vibe of the show, as the happy energy rose high into the twilight sky.
“What’s My Age Again?” had the entire venue shouting along, the lyrics resonating even more with the older crowd who could relate to the song’s themes of arrested development alongside a whole new generation of fans that were in the palm of the three-piece’s hands.
Barker, as always, was a spectacle behind the drums. His relentless energy and precision are nothing short of awe-inspiring, with the crowd cheering wildly during his drum solos.
As the night drew to a close, Blink-182 saved the best for last. “All the Small Things” had everyone, from the front row to the farthest reaches of the venue, jumping and singing in unison. The band closed out with “Dammit,” a song that has become a defining anthem of their career. The final chorus of, “Well, I guess this is growing up”, felt like a communal release, a shared moment of nostalgia and celebration.
The encore of ‘One More Time‘, which followed almost immediately, was the perfect send-off, and as the final notes faded, and the band took their bows, there was a collective sense of satisfaction.
Blink-182 had delivered everything the fans had hoped for and more.
Leaving the venue, there was a buzz in the air, the kind that only comes after witnessing something special. Blink-182 proved that not only are they still relevant, but they’re also still capable of putting on a show that resonates on a deep level.
The Royal Hospital Kilmainham has seen its share of great performances, but August 27th, 2024, will be remembered as a night when pop-punk royalty reclaimed their throne.
This wasn’t just a concert; it was a reunion of sorts, not only for the band but for the fans who had been with them through every breakup, reunion, and everything in between.
Oran O’Beirne
Photo – Bruna Feltrin
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