Photos and review by SYLVIA GARCIA BORGO
– SAN DIEGO – San Diego’s Petco Park was set ablaze with energy as Green Day took the stage for an unforgettable night celebrating the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album Dookie and the 20th anniversary of American Idiot. The evening kicked off with a bang, as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You” blared through the speakers while the audience sang along.
In a slightly surreal moment, a rabbit donning a San Diego Padres jersey danced and cartwheeled across the stage to The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop,” leaving the audience both bewildered and exhilarated.
Green Day wasted no time diving into their set, opening with “The American Dream is Killing Me” from their latest album Saviors before launching into a front-to-back performance of Dookie. The band’s commitment to fan safety was evident early on when frontman Billie Joe Armstrong paused before “Having a Blast” to defuse a fight in the crowd, urging everyone to enjoy themselves and get along.
Throughout the night, Armstrong proved to be a masterful showman, fully invested in creating a memorable experience for the 40,000-strong crowd. He encouraged fans to put away their phones and live in the moment, only making an exception for the sea of flashlights during “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” The sight left Armstrong visibly awestruck; he exclaimed, “There are so many fucking people here, it is beautiful.”
As the last stop on their 4-month tour, the band seemed to pour every ounce of emotion into their performance. Armstrong’s heartfelt shout-out to San Diego as “the most beautiful place in America” before playing “When I Come Around” was a testament to the connection between the band and the city.
Despite being in their 50s, Green Day showed no signs of slowing down. Their onstage chemistry was palpable, a stark contrast to the less enthusiastic vibe from The Smashing Pumpkins earlier in the night. Drummer Tré Cool’s comedic appearance in a leopard print bathrobe, dancing to “All By Myself,” highlighted the band’s enduring sense of fun and irreverence.
The night took on a more serious tone during the introduction to “Holiday.” While clearly stating that the show wasn’t political and that they were not there to “take sides,” Armstrong said, “We want a new America filled with compassion and joy. Tonight is a celebration.” He asked the crowd, “Are you ready to kick fascism in the teeth? Are you ready to kick MAGA in the teeth?”
The stage design team and technical crew deserve high praise for their work, transforming the baseball stadium into a visual homage to both Dookie and American Idiot. Their efforts provided the perfect backdrop for Green Day’s high-energy performance. The concert concluded with an emotional rendition of “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” leaving fans eager for the band’s return to “the most beautiful city in America.” Openers were Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and Linda Lindas.
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