“We’re gonna play hit after hit, which is like sex, I just want to keep doing and doing it to ya,” jokes a sweaty Tom DeLonge. As expected, the sexual references and crude jokes are already in full swing, but as Blink-182 launch straight into an opening of feel-good tracks, such as ‘Feeling This,’ ‘What’s My Age Again,’ and ‘Rock Show’ you realise they’re actually (for once) going to let the music do the majority of the talking.
Blink 182 have not only become notorious for their stage banter, but also their inability to play a set without the odd hiccup or cringey and seriously out of tune singing moment from Tom DeLonge – admit it, we’ve all been there to witness the car crash. But this time, it’s different. They’ve tightened up their act and honed in on the anthems to bring maximum Blink effect, like it should be.
Marc Hoppus even makes the point to backtrack after a missed note during ‘Always’, commanding drummer Travis Barker to pick up from the last verse: “I fucked up the last note and want to make sure you all get every note you pay for.” Which is respectable, as ticket prices set at £40 didn’t come cheap. But as the band are more used to playing stadium sized venues, seeing them play Brixton Academy is pretty much as ‘intimate’ as you’re going to get and proves a special experience for fans.
Later on in the set, Marc Hoppus, for some reason, mentions Justin Bieber and like a lightening reaction the crowd heckle and boo with full force, slightly knocking back a flustered Hoppus who tries to defend the star, by saying he’s a “good guy”. It’s a bizarre moment, but you realise it only takes one mention of a hated public figure for a British crowd to mutually unite on common grounds, which proves pretty hilarious.
Picking up where they left off, the band launch into ‘First Date’ and ‘All The Small Things,’ which are energetically driven by Travis Barker’s tight rhythmic sections and ability to sync the band together. Barker is indeed an absolute pleasure to watch and it’s undisputed that there are very few drummers in the world that can match his talent and showmanship.
Returning for an encore the band make a welcomed return to the stage, as the crowd marvel as the word “Fuck” is lit up in flames.
Wrapping things up with ‘I Guess This Is Growing Up’ we’re left to think that the band are ending on a point of maturity, but we’re quickly proven wrong, as the follow up song ‘Family Reunion’ leads with lyrics “Shit, piss, fuck” etc. etc.… (You get the point). After the final song, and when we think it’s all over, Hoppus returns alone onstage to joke around on Barker’s drum kit, which is an entertaining touch and lighthearted way to really put an end to the gig.
They may not be the most skilled musicians on the planet (Barker exempt) but the Justin Bieber heckling, sexual innuendoes and blast from the past pop-punk hits all ensure you get exactly what you pay for at a Blink 182 show. And tonight proves, with quite literally no flaming fucks given, they still can and will do exactly what they want, over two decades on, and we kind of love them for that.
Below: 11 brilliant photos of Blink-182 at Brixton Academy
