Review & Photos: Jessica Gresham
The Blink 182, Lil Wayne Tour Wednesday 7.17.19 at Darien Lake Amphitheater was absolutely one for the books and I’m sorry to those who missed it!! There was hesitation at first announcement of this tour with people trying to deeply psychoanalyze why these two acts were playing together but once lights were on and the energy was at a peak in anticipation for the first act it was on and no one was looking back.
The first band Neck Deep really did a good job setting the stage and getting the crowd awoken and into it. Opening with “Motion Sickness” they have a very pop punk New Found Glory sound. The crowd really responded to “She’s a God” one of their newest releases, a very pop ballad with catchy lyrics and sounds. High energy musicians, lots of jumping, enjoying themselves and an overall fully engaging first act.
Next up was Lil Wayne, a Young Money symbol with a countdown came up on the screens and the crowds reaction to the clicker grew louder as the clock ran down. The countdown ended, the masses went wild and Young Money was about to step foot on stage. The crowd was incredibly loud and lyrically interactive the whole set for Wayne. There were two drum sets, a DJ and a guitarist so the music quality was very much there and felt through your body along with the pyros and lightning being all on point. It was hard to stand still during his set. He showed nothing but love and gratitude and sounded like his iconic self, very quality live performance. Also very grateful he did continue on the tour, would not have had same impact without him.
Blink182 was due to the stage at 9:30 and that’s when it all really went down. They of course opened right up with Enema and just one by one right through the album. “Aliens Exist” never disappoints live and it sure didn’t this time. Immediately green and purple blow up aliens dropped onto the crowd and what an amazing experience. Maybe its because of all the recent talk of Area 51 that made it that much more entertaining. Blink has always known how to be high energy, interactive and still sounding the same. They continued on with all their big hits, “I Miss You”, “Feelings This” and with Mark and Matt at one point emerging in the crowd with an acoustic guitar playing “Down”! Travis Barker did his thing as well being strapped into what looked like a huge metal hamster ball and went full out nuts playing his ass off while going upside down! He is truly a phenomenal drummer, and always a showman with the drum stick flinging and never missing a beat.
This tour was in fact a celebration of the 20 years since Enema Of The State came out. Was a bit surreal to see the freshly turned teenagers rocking to a band that I remember during my younger years, more specifically this albums original release date of June 1st 1999. Feeling old yet? If not then you were able to experience old classic Blink to all their newer and newest singles including “Blame It On My Youth”. Still producing new music, different members or not Blink is still putting on a damn good live show.
At first glance you may think what a different genre of music acts why are people interested etc. This was easily a top concert experience for the simple fact that the diversity just provided a nice variety of music and enjoyment. The crowd was full and into it from start to finish, even the patrons that had a muddy hill in lawn area to stand in. All three acts were whole heartedly entertaining and you left feeling satisfied from all 5 senses.
