Punk rock icons blink-182 took over Boston’s beloved Fenway Park on Tuesday night, as part of the One More Time Tour alongside Pierce The Veil.
Fans gathered early outside the historic ballpark, as the band’s music was blasting out from speakers near one of the gates. Despite the not-so family friendly show, many kids were seen in the crowd with their parents, alongside others holding the now classic “Travis, I’m Pregnant” signs.
A short and unassuming set by EKKSTACY set the scene, and California’s own Pierce The Veil was up next. With an almost full stadium and the summer sun still up, the band emerged in a fog to kick things off with “Death Of An Executioner”, off their 2023 album The Jaws Of Life. The band’s excitement was visible, as they ran from one spot to the next, flashing a smile and taking in the Fenway sights from time to time. The high octane set had an even balance of fan favorites and newer tracks, as well as a cover of Radiohead’s “Karma Police”, keeping up with the fast paced nature of the show. Closing out with “King For A Day”, Pierce The Veil successfully set the stage for the rest of the evening.
With an early 8:30pm start, blink-182 promptly took over with “Feeling This” and “The Rock Show”, displaying the first taste of the pyrotechnics that would light up the ballpark all night long. The irreverent trio pulled no punches with their crass humor and fun antics that kept the crowd both shocked and entertained. The set was jam packed with many classics, mixed in with plenty of tracks off their most recent release, ONE MORE TIME…, and fans were chanting along to every word, as fireworks kept going off throughout the evening. There was a certain feeling of nostalgia in the air, not just coming from the songs, but from seeing the camaraderie on stage between Travis, Mark and Tom, after the latter finally rejoined the band. Delonge’s awkward interjections kept everyone on their toes, who played off Mark Hoppus’ dry humor. Travis Barker stayed focused on the drums, so much so his drum riser elevated him high up on the stage to display his furious playing skills.
The connection with the fans was also undeniable, from asking the crowd to light the park up with their phones for Stay Together For The Kids, to Tom Delonge gifting one of his guitars to a loving fan hanging off the barricade, there was a sense of belonging throughout the show, like reconnecting with an old high school friend. Despite Hoppus jokingly claiming halfway through the show “this is the encore”, a tight string of hits would follow, reaching its climax towards the end. “What’s My Age Again?”, “First Date” and the millennial classic “All The Small Things” came through at a vertiginous pace, with a healthy dose of pyro to go with it. “Dammit” and the introspective “ONE MORE TIME” closed the show, but not without bidding farewell to Boston fans with Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, a delightfully cringe choice for the occasion.
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PHOTO GALLERY BY: Maria Alejandra Mata
Blink-182
Pierce The Veil
