[Review] Green Day @ Wembley Stadium, England

[Zell1010]

Green Day @ Wembley Stadium, London, England on 19/6/2010

As part of their ongoing stadium tour in support of 21st Century Breakdown, Green Day returned to London to play, in Billie Joe Armstrong's words, "the biggest show we've ever played". As a rough estimate, 65-70 thousand people watched them rock Wembley Stadium to its very core. Being on the floor, it is easy to get awstruck by the size of this stadium, as it appears to continue on until it reaches the heavens. I'd already seen Green Day in Birmingham last year, and was front row for that gig, so being reasonably further back for this one already had a negative effect, but that's hardly the band's fault.

The support acts. Frank Turner, an English acoustic artist, opened the show up with some fun, lively songs. I'd already seen him before and knew how good he is, and enjoyed his performance again. He uttered the immortal words that most British artists would like to say, "Hello Wembley". He was on and off surprisingly early, and there were already mutterings that we may get a longer set than expected from Green Day (their set was already 2 hours 50 minutes I think). Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were next. Whilst they can play their instruments and she can sing, I felt that they overstayed their welcome. They played alot of songs which all sounded the same in my book, and "I Love Rock and Roll" was the only song that people knew (much like the other review in Helsinki).

And so to the main act. The pink bunny was funny as always, and then the band we all wanted to see arrived. The roar from the crowd was unbelievable, and I was crushed instantly. They sounded brilliant, as they always even in a stadium. Pretty much a standard set by Green Day, however they threw in a few surprises like Nice Guys Finish Last, Waiting, Burnout, Welcome To Paradise and Dominated Love Slave. The crowd were going mental, with the biggest pyro's I've seen ever too. It was very loud, and during Minority it felt like the whole place was going to come down. I had a friend who was in the very top tier and she said she felt connected with the band. The only criticism I have is that at times the song extension became a little bit cliche'd at times, and they sometimes did it for too long. However, another amazing show by Green Day. 10/10.

Song of the Century
21st Century Breakdown
Know Your Enemy
East Jesus Nowhere
Holiday
The Static Age
Give Me Novacaine
Are We The Waiting
St. Jimmy
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Nice Guys Finish Last
Burnout
Waiting
Geek Stink Breath
Dominated Love Slave
Hitchin' A Ride
Welcome To Paradise
When I Come Around
Metal-Jam
Brain Stew
Jaded
Longview
Basket Case
She
King For A Day
Shout/Hey Jude/I cant get no satisfaction/Teenage Kicks/Always look on the bright side of life
21 Guns
Minority
Encore:
American Idiot
Jesus of Suburbia
Encore 2:
When It's Time
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

[Emil]

Green Day need to start playing songs from Kerplunk and Smoothed again.

[TomiT14]

Nice Guys Finish Last
Burnout
Waiting
Geek Stink Breath
Dominated Love Slave

Wow at these.

And also, 32 songs? Seriously, that's crazy and awesome!

[Nic]

Yeah, I heard this show was fucking djkfhjksfhsdlhajkhfkjdhaklfjdhalkjhdfjahlfjkhash. Wish I lived there haha.

[Emil]

Why? They're gonn release it on dvd anyway.

[Zell1010]

Nice Guys Finish Last
Burnout
Waiting
Geek Stink Breath
Dominated Love Slave

Wow at these.

And also, 32 songs? Seriously, that's crazy and awesome!

Yeah I almost jizzed myself when Billie Joe Armstrong said "This song's called Nice Guys Finish Last" as it's arguably my favourite song off nimrod. Setlist.fm has their set at 33 songs, but meh. Their sets are quite long which is testament to how fit these guys are, that they can keep running about the stage for 3 hours, jumping and playing near perfect. When I saw them at Birmingham last year their set was just as long. It will be interesting to see how they change their set when their next record comes out as it's so long.

Yeah, I heard this show was fucking djkfhjksfhsdlhajkhfkjdhaklfjdhalkjhdfjahlfjkhash. Wish I lived there haha.

Yes. Yes it was.

Btw this is my first review of a gig so constructive feedback is welcome.

[TomiT14]

Btw this is my first review of a gig so constructive feedback is welcome.

Well it's all about how you experienced it yourself, what were the ups and downs etc.
This is a good review.

Usually what I'd like to know is how the songs differed from normal, how was the possible Longview-singer, any other exclusivities.

[Zell1010]

Btw this is my first review of a gig so constructive feedback is welcome.

Well it's all about how you experienced it yourself, what were the ups and downs etc.
This is a good review.

Usually what I'd like to know is how the songs differed from normal, how was the possible Longview-singer, any other exclusivities.

My one flaw.... dammit

Erm, to be honest the songs weren't that different than they were if you've seen BIAB or any show on their current world tour. It was a pleasure to see and hear them play a few songs. What annoys me is that idiots who don't know anything pre American Idiot. Literally about me and one other guy were singing to Nice Guys Finish Last.

The Longview singer was alright. He was no older than 15, I'd say. When he got chosen Billie Joe asked him if he "had ever had sex with a women before", to which he shook his head to a chorus of "awwwwww". Once he sang he was ok. He, like many people, forgot the words to the 2nd verse of the song. At the end Billie Joe gave him a beer.

Another exclusivity was Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt singing the first bit of their cover of Shout. Tre did it once and the crowd loved it so much that they got him to do it twice more, after which Mike got a go, with Billie Joe going on drums and bass respectively. Whilst it was funny at first, it kinda grew old quickly.

They also played their new song When It's Time, which I'm not a fan of particularly. It's alright, but nothing killer.

[Bobbyjames]

nice review, it's cool to see the support get a mention too. sounds like it was an awesome show. how was the atmosphere there? I've only been to Wembley for one gig, and the atmosphere wasn't that great for me, but I don't know if that was the fans fault of the stadium.

[Zell1010]

The atmosphere there was unbelievable. From front to back everyone was involved. From the two gigs I've been to, I've noticed that Billie Joe Armstrong plays to the front of the crowd as much as to the people at the very back (and if you were sitting right at the back, you were a long way away). The only point where it wavered was when they played some of the songs that people didn't know (NGFL, Waiting, etc etc). Otherwise, fantastic.

The only thing I will say is that it didn't beat Birmingham for me. The reasons are that at Birmingham I was front row, and I mean bang front row (I can see myself in one of the photos on their site from that gig) right in front of Mike. And that was my first time seeing them so it was going to be better. Plus the people I went with were bad at organising so I knew we werent getting anywhere near the front. Also transport back just made it feel less special. It doesn't detract from how good the show was, but I just feel Birmingham meant more to me, if that makes any sense.

[Bobbyjames]

yea, I know what you mean. one of my favourite live bands in the world is Metallica, I've seen them 4 times but nothing compares to the first time I saw them. not only was it the best set list I've seen from them, but they completely blew me away, they were incredible. after that, when you know what to expect, nothing really compares to the first time.

glad you had a good time anyway, hopefully I'll get round to seeing Green Day sometime soon!

[TomiT14]

when you know what to expect, nothing really compares to the first time.

True, unfortunately. To me, the second time of seeing Green Day wasn't nearly as good as my friends were talking about it. Couple of surprises here and there, but mostly just what I expected.

[Emil]

I saw Green Day back in 2005 with Jimmy Eat World. I skipped their first concert in Sweden last fall because i felt that they would be focusing to much on AI and 21CB. For the recent concert i didn't gte tickets.

[Zell1010]

I saw Green Day back in 2005 with Jimmy Eat World. I skipped their first concert in Sweden last fall because i felt that they would be focusing to much on AI and 21CB. For the recent concert i didn't gte tickets.

I think their mix of songs was actually quite good. Ofc they will play more stuff from 21CB as its the album they are supporting but still, alot of older songs were played.

[Jake-41]

Yeah, it sounds almost like a dream. They're making a DVD of it? I'll watch it.

[Zell1010]

Yeah, it sounds almost like a dream. They're making a DVD of it? I'll watch it.

I've not heard that? Where did you hear that? Or are you asking me?

[Jake-41]

Yeah, it sounds almost like a dream. They're making a DVD of it? I'll watch it.

I've not heard that? Where did you hear that? Or are you asking me?

I'm asking.. But 65,000 people sounds ridiculous! On youtube yet?

[Zell1010]

Yeah, it sounds almost like a dream. They're making a DVD of it? I'll watch it.

I've not heard that? Where did you hear that? Or are you asking me?

I'm asking.. But 65,000 people sounds ridiculous! On youtube yet?

The end of Minority, the last song before the encore. Nuff said.

[Emil]

Foo Fighters did it first.

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[Bobbyjames]

no, Muse did

well, George Michael was the first to play the new Wembley, while Muse had the first "rock" concert there.

now waiting for someone to find out who first played the old Wermbley stadium back in the day.