Green Day, Manchester live review — punk-pop intense with urgency and rage
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When Green Day started in California towards the end of the 1980s, not many people thought they would last long. The energetic group was often considered as just another punk band trying to bring back older styles. The lead singer and guitarist, Billie Joe Armstrong, and the bassist, Mike Dirnt, were known for a peculiar party trick - spitting high into the air and trying to catch it in their mouths.
It seems foolish now to have dismissed them in the past. After more than 35 years and selling over 75 million records, the band recently performed for 50,000 fans at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground in Lancashire. They played songs from two albums that were extremely popular before streaming became popular.
Green Day has consistently rejected the label of "punk-pop", but the reality is that they fit that description perfectly. Their album Dookie, which came out in 1994 and will be performed in its entirety at this upcoming event, expertly combines the energy and rebellious spirit of punk with catchy melodies and memorable pop hooks.
The album Dookie was all about seeking excitement as a teenager, and Green Day's attempt to bring back that feeling in their middle age is made easier by the fact that they are aging gracefully. Armstrong, who is 52 years old, still looks surprisingly young with his bleached hair. Drummer Tré Cool may show some signs of aging, but he still rocks a stylish turquoise hairstyle.
Scrolling through that album full of teenage emotions, the three band members brought back their pain and desire with a sense of urgency that never stopped. The guitar riffs were quick and powerful, hitting you in the stomach. Armstrong's hand moved so fast it was like a blur on "Longview", a song about frantic teenage self-pleasure: "Some people say stop or I'll go blind, but that's just a myth."
Green Day initially became popular because of their ability to make fun of themselves, and they still enjoy being silly. The drummer, Cool, came out from behind his drum set wearing a leopard-print robe and sang the hidden track "All By Myself" from the album Dookie, resembling a crazy villain from Batman.
But the latter part of the night had a more serious tone. Following a series of songs from their latest album, Saviors, which reached number one in the UK, the trio delved into their acclaimed 2004 album, American Idiot. This bold concept album and rock opera, inspired by The Who's Tommy, not only earned them a Grammy but also inspired a Broadway musical adaptation.
A good reminder that punk music was born out of anger towards societal problems, American Idiot allowed Green Day to mature. Unlike their earlier lightheartedness, the album aimed to capture the sense of unease in the country during George W. Bush's presidency, after the events of 9/11 and the war in Iraq.
Similar to Dookie, American Idiot has stood the test of time. Armstrong's anger felt genuine and raw as he delivered rebellious lyrics in "Jesus of Suburbia" and "Letterbomb". The emotional tribute to his late father in "Wake Me Up When September Ends" still resonated profoundly.
Their performance lasted for two hours and they kept up an impressive level of excitement. During the usual ending song, "Good Riddance," Armstrong sang the lyrics, "I hope you had the time of your life." Fifty thousand people in the crowd cheered loudly, showing that they had indeed enjoyed the show.
