First off, I’d like to apologise for the punny title. I’m one of those people who speaks in song lyrics rather than actual fully-formed sentences half of the time; something my friends really enjoy.
Anyway, today I’m gonna start up a feature I like to call #tbt, or throwback Thursday. Before anyone starts, I’m already well aware that #tbt has been floating around Twitter and Instagram for a long time. Can you blame me for wanting to piggy-back off that success? Basically, every Thursday I’m gonna travel back in time and talk about something a bit old school. Hopefully this’ll result in a lot of nostalgia for everyone involved.
Ever since I started this blog I’ve wanted to talk about my origin story. It might not be as exciting as Wolverine’s, but when I attended my first ever gig in 2010 I was probably adrenaline-fuelled enough to demonstrate one of Hugh Jackman’s trademark angsty, despair-filled cries to the moon. Kinda like these.
On that fateful evening of the 19th of June, 2010, I made my way to Wembley Arena where I watched the incredible Green Day, supported by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Frank Turner. This gig was the catalyst that got me interested in rock, alternative and punk music, so for that Green Day will always hold a special place in my heart.
I even still have my ticket, stuck up on my bedroom wall back at home, as well as the t-shirt I bought at the gig, which I brought to university with me even though it’s far too small. Sentimental is my middle name, you know.
(I also had the good fortune of seeing them headline Friday of Reading 2013, and their performance was just as mind-blowing three years on.)
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Frank Turner were excellent choices for support acts. Joan Jett got the stadium buzzing with Bad Reputation, and Frank Turner’s The Road was a real anthemic, sing-along moment. However, as much as I enjoyed the support acts, nothing could have topped the main act for me.
Billy Joe, Mike and Tré performed like a well-oiled machine with limitless enthusiasm. I could tell that they still love and enjoy performing, even 25 years after the band’s inception in 1987.
Highlights of the gig were East Jesus Nowhere, Are We The Waiting, and their mash-up of Iron Man, Sweet Child o’ Mine and Highway to Hell.
Now, I’m aware that this blog post, in itself, is nothing new: everybody knows that Green Day are an establishment of pop punk, and put on an amazing show. For years after this gig I was worried that no other band would ever be able to top their performance.
Even so, I think I’ve made it clear that if I could turn back time and experience that gig again, I would without a second thought.
Currently listening to: Need To Be – Memphis May Fire
altrocklife 