Green Day with Against Me!
This is my first arena tour ever. I had no idea what to expect. Do I have to be there like the day before to guarantee a barricade spot? Arenas are huge. Green Day is huge. How do I do this?!
I saw Green Day in an arena the first time I ever saw them back in 2009 for my 17th birthday, but I had a seat about as far as possible from the stage. This time it’s different. I had hoped to catch more shows on this tour, but life (and high ticket prices) forced me to only attend three: Tulsa, Vegas (where the Idiot meetup would be), and San Diego. They weren’t coming anywhere near San Francisco this time. Rude.
Opening was Against Me! I’m not super familiar with them aside from “I Was a Teenage Anarchist” which I LOVED in high school, but I was excited to see them. I have immense respect for frontwoman Laura Jane Grace.
Tulsa—3/7/17
Why am I in Tulsa? Well one of my best friends from college, Jen, lives here, for at least another few months while she’s finishing law school. I had to come see her while she’s still here. When else would I ever go to Oklahoma?
Of course, she didn’t come to the show with me, though. She’s not an Idiot. Oh well, we can’t all be.
I got in line at 8am, probably the 8th person in line. Bryn, who I met at an Idiot meet-up at J’net’s house the night before, was in front of me, so we talked the whole day. J’net and Daniel and Dawn had VIP so they didn’t need to be in line early. Omar got there a little later than Bryn and I did. That’s about the extent of the Idiots I know at this show. Oklahoma.
There was a girl in front of us who had only been listening to Green Day since she started dating her boyfriend in December. I told her I felt her on both counts: seeing a band immediately after first starting to listen to them (*cough* Coheed), and liking a band more than the boy that got me into them. That one’s happened quite a few times…
There were pizza and cupcake places across the street from the BOK Arena, so I would survive the day.
We were all a little worried about the fact that VIP got let in first, but it’s an arena, so it ended up being fine. When doors opened it was stressful as always, but I RAN down the stairs and Jason White’s side was completely open, so that’s where I ended up. I saved some space for Bryn. She was right behind me.
HOLY CRAP I GOT BARRICADE IN AN ARENA THAT’S NEW
The pit filled up really quickly. At one point, these two bigger guys shoved through behind us to get to the girl on the other side of Bryn. We were a little worried about that at first (how are they gonna act during the show?!) but it ended up being a good thing. They kinda protected us when we needed it.
As for the overall show: dude. There was so much space to dance the entire show. No one squished us. Every time Billie told us to come forward, the crowd would move forward, but then they went back again afterward, so I was dancing HARD all night.
Against Me!
Laura Jane Grace said she dyed her hair green for a Green Day show when she was 14 and left wanting to start a punk band.
Against Me! killed it. I love Laura Jane Grace. “Crash” and “Teenage Anarchist” are really the only songs I knew well, but they were just really awesome live and I’m kinda sad their set is only 30 minutes long and I’ve only got two more shows to see them at as the opener.
The bassist, Inge Johansson, was such a goof. His face and dance moves as compared to the guitarist on the other side was a 180 degree difference.
Laura Jane Grace looked a little like Cousin It while playing, but it didn’t bother me. It bothered Dawn.
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
Rebecca
Unconditional Love
Haunting, Haunted, Haunts
Delicate, Petite & Other Things I’ll Never Be
Boyfriend
333
Crash
True Trans Soul Rebel
I Was a Teenage Anarchist
Black Me Out
Green Day
I knew the stage would get bigger after Against Me! and it did. Tre’s drumset was on top of this thing of lights which was really cool.
There were four different backgrounds throughout the night (err, 5 really): the radio, black and white Green Day, red Green Day, lights spelling Green Day (solely for “King for a Day”), and then just lights.
There was a catwalk. I was a little worried about not being able to see Billie at the end of it. It was kinda a problem, but not too bad. He spent enough time in front of me too, so it was okay. That man runs so freaking much.
He got political, of course. Some stuff about how we need to not let anyone divide us just because we’re all different. There was one straight up “Fuck you, Donald Trump!”
He talked about how it was kinda a hometown show in a way, because his mom’s from Sperry, Oklahoma. Apparently they found her old house and the high school gave them directions there. Cute.
Know Your Enemy
Ugh why do they keep opening with this?! It’s not only not from the new album, but it’s not even the best song on 21st Century Breakdown either. Disappoint.
The fire and explosions caught me off guard a little. I guess this is my first time seeing Green Day in an arena since 2009, huh?
Billie typically picks a young kid to come onstage to sing the end bit of this song. The girl at this show was afraid to stagedive, so Billie had her walk to the end of the catwalk and he just kinda pushed her off. Sweet.
Bang Bang
More fire and explosions.
Revolution Radio
ACTUAL FIRE. It kinda danced along with the music, which was REALLY COOL, and I loved being so close to the heat.
Billie started getting really political here.
“We can’t let anyone divide us! Let’s leave the hate behind tonight!”
Holiday
I laughed at the Sieg Heil part for reasons. Oh, the state of this country these days…
Billie had the lights go out while he was on the catwalk and I could see cell phone lights all the way up in the highest seats.
More politicalness during this song, obvi.
Letterbomb
I just love this song so so much. It’s been my favorite for as long as I can remember.
Billie definitely went off on some rant mid-song. I feel like it was about loving each other and having a good night, but I honestly don’t remember.
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Me being the weirdo that I am, I had to sing the end of the song like they do in the American Idiot: the Musical version of the song. I don’t know, I think I just like it that way better.
Longview
I had made it known to at least Bryn that I wanted to be chosen to sing “Longview.” So when Billie’s walking around choosing someone, I’m screaming and she’s pointing at me, so he notices. He asks me about five times if I’m sure I know the words. I kinda feel like maybe he remembers my face by this point, so I smile and shrug like “Why don’t we find out?” He asks a few other people if they know it, but he keeps coming back to me, so I was SURE he was gonna pick me and I’m FREAKING OUT.
Then all of a sudden, he goes to the other side of the stage and picks a dude. What a tease!
I was so mad. The guy he picked didn’t even know the words. Sure, maybe being onstage freaked him out and he just forgot them, but I was an obnoxious little shit about it the whole time, wildly acting out the lyrics and screaming them so loud like “YOU SHOULDA PICKED ME.”
Youngblood
I was probably the loudest person in the venue screaming “FUCK YOU I’M FROM OAKLAND,” because, well, I am from Oakland. Kinda.
It was much better at the Berkeley show. Oh well.
2000 Lightyears Away
Billie pulled out a water hose and BLASTED us all. I was so happy, just reveling in the water.
Note to self: don’t dye hair before a Green Day show.
Hitchin’ a Ride
FIRE
When I Come Around
Apparently J’net and Billie had a moment. Cute.
Waiting
Out of nowhere, this kid shoves his way through me and Bryn. Wtf?! One of the guys behind us grabs him in a headlock so security can pull him out. Thanks dude!
Not exactly the kinda song you wanna shove through a crowd and get headlocked for, though?
Burnout
Scattered
I feel like they never actually finish this song?
Minority
Always fun live. Love this song.
Are We the Waiting
Arms in the sky, swaying along.
St. Jimmy
Explosions! Fire!
Bryn swears Billie was making eye contact with her during this song, but the line was “I told you so.” I felt like it was directed at me, cuz I told him so about “Longview.” I could be wrong, but I’d like to think I had a moment with Billie.
“Don’t you fuckin’ wear it out!”
Ugh I love when he ends it that way.
Knowledge
Billie introduced this as an Op Ivy cover and I screamed loud for that. Obviously I knew what song it was gonna be, but I just love Op Ivy.
A young girl with green hair (shout out to Laura Jane Grace) came onstage to play guitar. Billie was patient making sure she knew the chords. She played it on the catwalk and he told her she could keep the guitar. She looked so shocked and happy, it was so cute.
Basketcase
She
King for a Day
This song is long and a bit unnecessary after you’ve seen it a thousand times, but it is really fun live.
I don’t really understand why he became a cop instead of a king, but whatever.
Jason Freese showing off on the sax, and Billie on drums while Tre sings and does these weird dance high kicks. Ugh I love them.
I love the new parts he added in to the “Shout” part of “King for a Day.” Now it’s “Satisfaction” and “Hey Jude.”
“Hey Judy Judy Judy Judy…”
I ducked for the “little bit softer now,” but then decided I wanted to see him so I came back up to actually watch for once.
Still Breathing
Gimme a minute for the feels, please.
It rained fire again and it was BEAUTIFUL. I just reveled in it. So happy.
Forever Now
“This is our last song.”
Ugh SO GOOD live. They nailed it. I felt like it needed a little work last tour (I dunno, it’s new and long), but it felt right here.
Of course there was fire again, and Tre threw a few drumsticks into the crowd as they walked offstage.
I chanted “Four more songs!” because I knew that was what the encore would be.
American Idiot
Jesus of Suburbia
“This is our last song.”
Okay you keep saying that, dude, but I’m just waiting for confetti.
After the song ended, the band went to leave the stage again. Tre walked right up to me, pointed, and handed both drumsticks to security to pass over. I was in shock a little bit, and after Bryn swore Billie was making eye contact with her, I didn’t want to be the bitch that stole Tre’s sticks if they weren’t actually meant for me.
But security handed them to the guy next to me, and he immediately gave me one. I was about to cry. I put it to my face smiling. Another thing to cross off the bucket list: Senpai noticed me.
Sean (COTF friend who I later told about it): “Dude, he definitely noticed you at 5000 other shows and this is retribution for it.”
Bryn swore he was looking at me.
“You’re the chosen one! I didn’t see him throw sticks.”
Maybe it was because of the “Longview” incident, maybe because I was obnoxious the whole night, maybe because he recognized me. Who knows. All I know is I AM HAPPY ABOUT IT.
After the show, J’net said “I thought that was you he gave the sticks to!”
Ordinary World
Good Riddance
Finally, confetti! I caught as much as I could to save.
Security handed me one of Mike’s picks, and they were holding a setlist, but I told Bryn to take it because I already had a drumstick. I don’t need anything else.
Then we headed to merch. Of course they didn’t have enough smalls for me. Oh well. We were literally the last people there. Then we went with J’net to a bar called the Daily Grill for post-show food and show discussion.
Vegas—4/7/17
Driving into Vegas was an adventure and a half, but the fact that Andrew WK’s “Party Hard” came on shuffle as soon as I got to the Strip just made the whole trip worth it.
I got there around midnight on a Wednesday. But of course I lost my damn voice on the drive over. I thought maybe it was because I was singing so hard for so many hours straight, but I think I actually just got sick somewhere along the way and it caught up to me as I was driving in. Lame. Here I was, convinced I could sing “Longview” onstage this time, and I have no voice. This is my life, ladies and gents.
Vegas was a big Idiot meet-up show. So many people I love everywhere. It was basically the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame 2.0, except that I was just meeting them all for the first time at the RRHOF.
My friends spoiled the crap out of me. Cheryl took care of me the entire time I was there, and Beffy loaded me up with lots of alcohol. They were texting me as I was trying to find my way out of the hotel/casino/parking garage that they had already bought me drinks, so get my ass over to Planet Hollywood. The MGM is WAY TOO HUGE and I was insanely lost just trying to find outside.
I felt like I was becoming mythologized hearing stories about me being repeated over and over to people I didn’t know. Diane loved telling people about how I got my Green Day tattoo immediately before heading to the red carpet on RRHOF Induction Ceremony day, and Beffy told everyone the story of Billie blessing me after a random sneeze on the streets of Oakland. I lead an interesting life, let’s be real.
But the story of the night was a 29-yr-old Canadian, Kathleen, who got everyone kicked out of a bar for not having her passport. Ummm… what?
Thursday we mostly just chilled at the hotel (I mean it’s big enough to literally never have to leave, so) then ALL the Idiots met up at Pizza Rock and ran across the street to watch the Green Day Experience.
It’s just a few minutes long, but really cool. Green Day songs playing while images flash on the sky. Not something you see every day.
This was on Fremont St., where apparently alcohol is hella cheap. Two dollar margaritas? Yes please.
I felt super shitty and sick that night, so I decided against getting in line super early. I would rather sleep in and see more of Vegas. It’s my first time here, gotta make the most of it.
Lauren was super pumped about there being a Taco Bell Cantina (a Taco Bell that serves alcohol) on the Vegas Strip, so that’s where we were supposed to go after the show. I’m cheap, so I went both before AND after.
I eventually got to the venue around 3pm, where I was #77 in line. Yes, they continued numbering us that high. I had myself convinced all day that I’d be crowdsurfing and moshing all night. But then Cheryl bought a VIP ticket. She looked so guilty joining the VIP line. You paid for it, dude! Don’t be ashamed!
I didn’t stay in spot 77. I ran to the front to hug and love on all my Idiots. Apparently dumpsters were being dragged up and down the street all day, so Marnie joked that they were the opening band, Dumpsters on Parade. My new favorite band.
Diane had signs she made everyone to hold up during “Still Breathing.”
Beffy and fam weren’t there, though. Where were they?!
Cheryl was able to secure a spot on the barricade at the catwalk AND SAVED ME SPACE. What a fucking MVP. I was #77, got there at 3pm, and STILL had an amazing fucking spot on the catwalk. Cheryl is honestly the best and I do not deserve her. Everything worked out and I didn’t have to crowdsurf all night after all.
On the other side of me was Eileen, an Idiot from NYC who told me stories about how she was friends with Johnny Ramone back in the day. WHAT?! Two degrees of separation from Johnny Ramone. AMAZING.
SOMEHOW Beffy and fam made it to the front row on the other side of the stage. HOW?! They weren’t even there before doors! This woman constantly amazes me.
Against Me!’s sound at this show was unfortunately awful. I couldn’t hear a word out of Laura Jane Grace’s mouth. It was really sad. I like them.
Billie’s mic was also super low in the beginning. He tried to discreetly ask for his mic to be turned up (Lauren says he was asking for his monitors to be turned up, but I honestly don’t know anything) while he had it facing the crowd so we could sing it for him, but I guess the sound guy didn’t know what he was doing. Billie had like a second-long flash of anger. It was weirdly adorable. I love the unplanned human moments. You see the same show a million times, you need a random flash of anger to change things up a bit.
Green Day’s setlist was pretty much the same as in Tulsa, but I really loved the view from the catwalk. Maybe even better than my view in Tulsa.
The Bunny had an Easter basket and threw roses at us. How cute.
We got a schpiel about unity during “Letterbomb” and a “Don’t you FUCKING wear it out” during “St. Jimmy.” I did not get hit with water when the hose came out. Rude. He didn’t spray our side of the catwalk at all.
Billie kept doing this zombie-looking dance move onstage and it was SO CUTE I CAN’T DEAL.
During “King for a Day,” Billie was watching Jason Freese on the saxophone on the catwalk, and I was watching him. That was a good decision on my part. Look at my dumb face.
Also I love Tre’s dance moves during that song. Doesn’t get old.
The guy who sang “Longview” (fuck you, missing voice) had a shirt on that said “Stupid” and he was really good. He acted the lyrics out the way I like to think I would have had I gotten picked. I decided then that if I was ever going to sing onstage with them, I wanted it to be at my birthday show in September. How better to celebrate turning 25?
But it wasn’t a complete bust that I didn’t get picked. Traci’s daughter Kristin got picked to play guitar during “Knowledge”!!!
She also managed to snag a selfie with Billie from the stage. He said no at first, but then gave in super easily.
I tried my best not to sing during the show because of my voice being MIA, but I couldn’t help it and lost myself in “Still Breathing.”
Billie looked so happy when we held our signs up. A lot got opened a bit too early, so I just opened mine directly in his face when he was on the catwalk so he could look at it. I wanted to just give him my copy, but he didn’t take it. He did grab Kamran’s to really look at it, though, and then gave it back to him.
He looked… happy. Loved I guess. That’s what we were going for. We’re with YOU, Billie. It’s an emotional song, and yeah, he doesn’t know any of us personally, but the music’s been there for us, so we wanted to show support back to him. That’s what it’s all about.
The “Thank you”s at the end of the song seemed really genuine. It felt like he was thanking us for the signs. Awesome job, Diane. It went beautifully.
Then of course there was the confetti during “Good Riddance.” Oh how I love this band.
Lauren told me after the show she could tell from the other side of the catwalk that I was faking singing the whole show. LOL WHOOPS.
She also told me she waited until this week to finally listen to Revolution Radio all the way through because she doesn’t know when she’ll get new Green Day again. She had a point and it made me sad. But there I was, listening to the leaks of the album weeks before it came out. Again, WHOOPS.
We waited by the buses for the band to come out until about 1am, when we finally gave up and went to get tacos. Green Day and Taco Bell just go together. Best way to end a night.
San Diego—4/8/17
There was a teeny bit of drama in getting from Vegas immediately to San Diego for another show the next day. I had originally told some girls from Europe that I’d be willing to drive them from one city to the next… until I realized that they wanted to be at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego before daylight.
I have to sleep. I can’t go to a concert one night, drive five hours overnight, and then go to another concert that night. Driving while tired is dangerous, anyway.
So I had to tell them to find another way. I took advantage of the last night in the hotel in Vegas.
They asked another Idiot to drive them in exchange for a ticket into the show, but she told them the same thing I did: If you can wait until tomorrow morning, then sure.
They ended up renting a car and driving themselves overnight, after having not slept the night before the Vegas show either, because they had to be first in line for that one too.
I mean I KINDA get it. I like being in the front of the line too. Obviously. Barricade at Green Day shows is pretty important. But I think safety is a little more important? And I can’t enjoy a show if I’m falling asleep during it. Or better yet, cranky.
Anyway.
So I didn’t get to the venue until right before doors. And I was weirdly happy about that.
Because this venue had the worst lining system I’d ever seen.
I felt for those poor European girls who killed themselves getting there early and were probably still stressed to all hell that they might not even get barricade after all that.
There were at least three or four different entrances, with multiple doors at EACH entrance. After security at those doors, they made us get into ANOTHER huge line inside the venue for ticket checking. Why in the hell could we not do that all at once.
Because I got there around 5pm, I didn’t stand in line very long, which was great because for some strange reason, San Diego was FRIGGIN FREEZING. There was so much wind! I was dying! How?! I thought I’d be going to the beach!
I knew I didn’t stand a chance at getting barricade, but I did manage to get on Mike’s side about 5 or 6 rows back. Cheryl was on the barricade (VIP again) attempting to hold space for me again, but I told her not to bother. It’d be a mosh pit night.
Cheryl: “My friend is a legendary crowdsurfer. She’ll make it.”
I didn’t, but it was sweet that she believed in me that much.
That pit was wayyyy too crowded already by the time I got there. DJ Rossstar was in front of me and we chatted for a minute. He told me I’m apparently always at the top of his Facebook newsfeed.
“Uber stories, Green Day stories, Coheed stories, and Matches stories.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much my life.”
There were also two girls offering to help me crowdsurf.
Girl: “I was a cheerleader so I’ll throw you up and you’ll do some cool shit.”
Me: “You wanna see some cool shit?”
Boom. Handstand.
I love blowing people’s minds with that. I’m still waiting for the day I top it. (I’m waiting, as if it’ll happen on its own. Ya know.)
The sound was SO MUCH BETTER at this show. I could actually hear Laura Jane Grace, so it was a much more enjoyable set.
After Against Me!, I knew the front was gonna get crazy, so first chance I got I was migrating back to find a pit.
I didn’t make it very far before “Know Your Enemy” started and all of a sudden someone in front of me went DOWN. A girl was having a seizure and her friend was crying hysterically. I couldn’t see what was going on from where I was, but I saw the friend crying and I was terrified.
I went in super mosh pit mama bear mode and did my best to hold the crowd back behind me. I turned around facing the back of the venue and held my arms out to the side, refusing to let anyone get past me. I don’t know where that strength came from, but it worked.
It took security at least three songs to get the girl out of the pit. It was ridiculous. We tried to get the band’s attention, but it was a huge show. They weren’t gonna stop playing. But the explosions continuing to go off while there was a girl on the ground having a seizure freaked me out.
I was super shaken up for a good while after that. I had no idea what I just witnessed, but it was scary. It took me a good 5 or 6 songs to remember this is Green Day. I need to enjoy it.
As far as I’m aware, the girl was okay. I at least want to believe she was okay. That’s enough excitement for one show.
Eventually I was moving back again and found a pit.
A guy offered to throw me up to surf, but no one passed me along. I tapped on some guy’s shoulder ahead of us, and he just turned away from me. Rude.
Soooo he just kinda held me in the air for a bit. I think this was during “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”
I guess crowdsurfing at this show is not a thing.
I got the pit full of boys to join me on the ground during “King for a Day,” but they got impatient and started a kick line instead.
At least they’re doing something. It’s fine, I’ll be here having naptime by myself.
But they didn’t stay hyped during that bit in “Jesus of Suburbia,” which bothers me a bit. IT’S SO GOOD, COME ON.
It was so hot in that venue that I couldn’t breathe. I was also still sick, obviously.
Woman: “Are you okay?”
Me: “Yeah, I’m just sick so I have to stop and catch my breath.”
Her: “No, I mean they were shoving you pretty hard!”
Me: “Oh, I love that!”
I was super happy by the time the confetti fell.
Great way to close out a tour.
“Stay classy, San Diego.”
The boys are onto South America next I believe and then back to the States! Arenas round two soon!
