If there is anything to be said about Green Day, it is that they know how to connect with their fans better than any live band that I have ever seen. It can be argued, for little more than argument's sake, that because I have seen the band play six times that my opinion could be biased based on my rabid repeat consumption of their live offerings.If that is so, I'm not apologizing for it.
During their almost three hour set Green Day brought no less than six fans on stage to take part in the performance by singing the lyrics we all know and love to the 12,000 plus crowd. One of these six fans was 10 years old, another was approximately five. It goes to show how far the pop-punk California trio has come. Their fans ranged in age from 5 to 50, and all ages were represented on the crowded arena floor.
Though their show has changed a lot over time; From back-alley grottos, through full-size arenas to the two day Milten Keynes event where a total of 120,000 fans packed into the bowl to prove why Green Day is way above the Sums, Charlottes, and 182's; their core performance has remained. It has and always will be, about the connection to their fans.
Standing on the floor, less than 10 feet from the powerhouse front-man Billie Joe Armstrong, it is hard not to be swept in by his all encompassing performance. Utilizing three back-up performers; Jason White, Jason Freese, and Jeff Matika, Billie is freed up from constantly having to riff his guitar and now moves consistantly across the stage engaging the audience with "A-ohs," handwaving and singing.
Not to be forgotten are the equally engaging performances that emanate from Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool. Truly these three guys have been together so long that you can visually see the communication between them across the stage. At one point, while ripping Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Billie skipped a lyric and almost went into the chorus early. He caught himself and a glance back at Mike and Tre showed him where he should be. Truly a great band. The audience seemed none the wiser.
Moving through their new material, and touching upon many of their classics that span almost two decades, Green Day fulfilled the experience for both young and old. Not excluding the nods to their longtime live fans as well; From the orgasm bit during Hitchin a Ride, to their bait-n-switch completed just prior to launching Brain Stew, it was all there in its nostalgic glory.
For six shows these guys have been at the top of my list every year of bands I want to see live. They are definitely within the rare ranks of bands that people must see at least once in their lifetime. 5 years was too long a time to wait and I truly hope they don't wait that long to hit the road again. Sure, they may be pushing late 30's. Though you wouldn't know it by the way they continue to bring it to every show.
