Green Day Manchester Arena Revolution Radio Tour 6th Feb 2017

 

Green Day

Manchester Arena

Revolution Radio Tour

6/02/2017

 

It's been a staggering 12 years since I last seen these guys play live, I missed the 2009 tour as it was bad timing.

In that time a lot has happened within the band with personal health problems, and Billie Joe's Public breakdown on stage at a Radio Festival in America.

 

But no matter now about all that cause they are back playing just 3 shows on this tour Leed's .London, and here Manchester the show sold out in just 5 minutes on Presale and Again in record time on General Sale.

 

After a very long wait for the doors and the usual stress of getting in, I'm in an extremely fortunate spot at the corner end I hadn't even planned it this time, clinging to the barrier I realise things happen for a reason and that was the best snap decision I made.

 

The Walkway is a mini version of the usual rock walkway, So I'm here and Ready for this in my opinion this band are the "Best International Band" !!! SO Excited.

 

At 7pm 'The Interupters' hit the stage they are a Ska/Punk band that have been touring with 'Green Day' for the 'European Tour', they reminded me of 'Maximo Park' vs 'The Specials' the singer was wearing a funky hat like the Ska era's fashion, he was dancing up and down the main stage singing catchy songs including a 'Selector' Cover 'Too Much Pressure'.

 

8pm The Lights Go down and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' comes on we all sing along and then we are greeted by a Giant Pink Bunny no its not the Easter Bunny 2 months earlier , its 'Tre Cool' the bands drummer in a crafty disguise to rally up support for the band, he somersaults down the walkway to 'The Ramones' he runs up and down waving his arms in the air to the cheering crowd and goes off stage , over the PA 'The Good The Bad & The Ugly' Theme.

 

It's on with the show as the curtain drops to reveal the huge stage back drop and on walk the band with 'Billie Joe' walking on last onto the main stage,'Mike Dirnt' still with his blonde hair and playing the bass and 'Tre Cool' takes to his drums.A rather Elfin Looking 'Billie Joe' dressed in Black Trousers Black & White Polka Dot Shirt & waistcoat,they kick off proceedings with 'Know Your Enemy' crowd surfing begins almost immediately down the middle section,Teenagers in Brightly coloured emo gear dying to get up close with their idol,'Billie Joe Armstrong' his crazy staring eyelinered eyes and the smile of 'Rock's answer to 'Chucky'... boy he still looks cute.

 

A Lad gets invited onstage to sing the last verses of 'Know Your Ememy' he's wearing one of the many Tshirts of the band (I then notice it's the guy that was standing next to me in the queue for the doors down, he grabs the mic and gets right into it ,strolling up the runway ,he looks like he's part of the band hes so into it,then he stage dives back into the crowd).

 

The Pyrotechnics start with a loud bang appropriately for 'Bang Bang' as Flames 8ft high shoot up at the edge of the main stage I can feel it on my face its really hot , and 'Billie Joe' walks towards us at the walkway with mic stand at the ready,he has the whole crowd under control with one strum of his many guitars, even people in the seats are looking lively getting into it.

 

 

For 'Holiday' it gets a bit political as 'Billie Joe' voices his opinion on the current political storm that is his country's new President he's not getting a name drop here he's got enough publicity but he encourages us to diss him and the crowd do then its time for a song from 'American Idiot' album 'Letterbomb' and then my fav song 'Boulevard Of Broken Dreams'.

 

They are on fire tonight there's an energy in the room present and a connection with the fans I haven't seen before, I mean there is so much respect for the fans he gets a few more up on stage including a girl who is in awe of the crowd attention as she sings lyrics to his songs, and another girl gets on stage to play guitar with him its very 'Guitar Hero' its fun.

 

 

'Longview was next  and more classics 'Hitchin A Ride' , 'When I Come Around' and 'Waiting' All of these span their discography of the late 90's to early Noughties you forget just how long this band have been going for.

 

 

They played my fav songs from that era 'Minority' and 'Warning, more pyrotechnics and flamethrowers again.. my face keeps glowing but cant stop smiling, back to more 'American Idiot' songs 'St Jimmy' and then classic Alternative MTV era hit  'BasketCase',they have been onstage now almost 2 hours and no let up no show of exhaustion I'm shattered and losing my voice from singing and screaming.

 

 

Next something rather special  in between 'King For A Day' the bands percussionist with a saxophone walks down to the walkway and plays 'Careless Whisper' (by the late 'George Michael' cant believe I'm typing this bit) and then its karaoke time in 'Manchester' as 'Billie Joe' in a captains hat joins him at the end dancing, he then goes back to the main stage  for 'Shout and 'Tre Cool ' leaves his drumkit for a knees up on stage for 'Always Look on The Brightside Of Life'  and 'Billie Joe' gets behind the drums for 'Teenage Kicks' and 'Cant Get No Satisfication' ,just when you think it cant get better 'Billie Joe' sings accapella 'Hey Jude' the whole crowd sings the Chorus in unison its mesmerising.

 

 

20+ songs in it's encore time as they leave the stage for a few minutes returning to play 'American Idiot and  'Jesus Of Suburbia' then its an acoustic set from 'Billie Joe' with 'Ordinary World' and my fav sing along to end the night 'Good Riddance- Time Of Your Life' .

 

 

Oh My gosh that was awesome , I've never been that close even when I was at the mainstage for their 2005 show, and there was a cute moment I'll not forget  when 'Billie Joe' seen me reaching out he smiled and laughed politely and said 'Sorry I Cant' he couldn't reach while playing the Guitar, how sweet I'm a teenage mush all over again, what a show what a start to my 2017 .....Cant imagine anything topping this.

 

 

Til Next Time

 

Lmi xo