Green Day: giving fans the time of their lives.

Green Day @ London O2 Arena
23rd October 2009

Green Day served up two nights of punk-rock and high octane excitement that, for a band who has already been on a world tour for six months, proves that when leader singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong yells: “We’ve been doing this for 21 years now, and this shit never gets old! I would do anything for you motherfuckers… ANYTHING!� you know he means it.

Those that de-ride the trio as ‘ageing punks who are still trying to please the kids’ are way off the mark. Sure, songs like ‘Basketcase’ and ‘Longview’ haven’t changed in subject matter but they still sound as fresh today as they did back in 1994 – evoking memories or winning new fans. Add to that the broader, more in-depth sounds of latest album 21^st Century Breakdown and 2004’s American Idiot and you’d be hard pushed to find any other band on the planet that can hold 20,000 fans of varying ages in the palm of their hands.

Billie Joe and bassist Mike Dirnt run back and forth opposite ends of the stage, urging everyone to stand even before the first song has finished. The energy expended on stage, added to by the powerhouse drum playing of Trè Cool, would surely power the Arena for the evening. Billie Joe also walked off into the crowd during ‘Know Your Enemy’, playing from the seats and taking back slaps and cries of adulation.

Moving between songs from the aforementioned Breakdown and Idiot, classic songs from Dookie, Nimrod and Insomniac are mixed in for good measure. However, to keep things interesting, Green Day surprise by playing some songs from left-field. ‘Going to Pasalacqua’, one of the band’s earliest songs from way back in 1990, makes an appearance. hree quarters of the crowd possibly think it’s a new song, but it’s a measure of the band’s attitude to please everyone that they bravely play it halfway through the main set.

Audience participation is another barrier Green Day push over. Youngsters are singled out to join them on stage to sing the songs, play the instruments or indulge in some theatrics. Billie Joe bangs out t-shirts with an air launcher, playfully soaks the first few rows with water pistols (probably welcome refreshment) and calls for continuation of his screams and shout outs.

A few snippets of cover songs in amongst live favourite ‘King For A Day’ showcased some of the bands influences. Saxophonist Jason Freese appeared dressed as Michael Jackson, meaning the King of Pop finally made it to the O2 stage and the song dissolves in ‘Shout’ by the Isley Brothers – universal entertainment at its best.

Green Day - ‘Jesus of Suburbia’  (live at London O2 Arena)

Two encores and nearly three hours later, you could say the audience get value for money. Billie Joe ended on the acoustic guitar for ‘Last Night on Earth’, ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’ and ‘Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)’, a touching trio of songs that further remind of the scope of his, and the band’s talent.

As the final strum of the guitar rung out and Billie Joe enquired if we’ve had the time of our life, the audience finally caught breath and seemed to agree that they have. It’s been five years since Green Day last played in the UK, let’s hope it won’t be as long again until the next time.

21^st Century Breakdown is out now via Warners/Reprise

By James Barrett