On a hot August night in Portland, Green Day fans packed the Moda Center for what would be a spectacular night of rock and roll. UK band Catfish and the Bottlemen were up first with their loud, straight-ahead rock. Their short set was charged with thunderous drumming and tautly meshed guitar. Led by the high energy of vocalist Ryan Evan "Van" McCann, they proceeded to tear the roof off with their rock-steady set.
After a quick set change, the lights went up, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" started playing, and, instantaneously, the Moda Center crowd was one, singing along throughout the entire song. Next up, the Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop" had everyone jumping before the band came out to Ennio Morricone's theme to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. And from the point Green Day took the stage until the end of their set, they performed as good of a rock and roll show as you’ll ever see.
Billie Joe Armstrong (guitar and vocals), Mike Dirnt (bass and vocals) and Tré Cool (drums) treated their fans to a catalog of music spanning the band's entire career. The volume and huge explosions—including fireworks—rattled the Moda Center to the rafters. The energy level of the band was insane from the photo pit, and by the time I made my way from the pit to my seat, the entire arena was on its feet—it felt as if we were right there on stage with them.
With two-plus hours of music, highlights included fans being invited up on stage to sing along and even one lucky young girl jamming out with the band on the Operation Ivy cover “Knowledge,” then leaving with Armstrong's guitar. The young couple next to me seemingly only touched the ground long enough to share an embrace then returned to jumping, fist-pumping and head-banging their hearts out. After 30-plus years and countless tours, Green Day are still going strong, and once again delivered on this night with energy, love for their fans and passion—you won't find a much better show or band on the road today.
Set List:
Know Your Enemy
Bang Bang
Revolution Radio
Holiday
Letterbomb
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Longview
Youngblood
2,000 Light Years Away
Hitchin' A Ride
When I Come Around
Welcome to Paradise
Minority
Are We the Waiting
St. Jimmy
Knowledge (Operation Ivy cover)
Basket Case
She
King for a Day
Shout / Always Look on the Bright Side of Life / (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction / Hey Jude
Still Breathing
Forever Now
Encore
American Idiot
Jesus of Suburbia
Ordinary World (Billie Joe Armstrong solo acoustic)
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
