Last night’s Green Day concert felt like a homecoming of sorts, with fellow Bay Area legends Rancid kicking off the show. The Berkeley punk veterans brought their A-game, launching into a blistering set that included staples like “Time Bomb” and “Ruby Soho.” Their gritty energy was the perfect start to a night rooted in punk history, and the hometown crowd loved every second of it.
Next up, the Smashing Pumpkins took the stage, and from the first haunting chords of “The Everlasting Gaze,” the atmosphere shifted into something electric. Billy Corgan, shrouded in his usual enigmatic presence, commanded the stage. The setlist leaned heavily on their 90s alt-rock dominance, with crowd favorites “Today” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” getting the loudest roars. The Pumpkins have always been an eclectic mix of moody intensity and explosive riffs, and last night was no different. Their performance was a reminder of just how timeless their music is, a perfect bridge between the night’s punk beginnings and the headlining act.
Green Day’s set was nothing short of monumental. They played Dookie and American Idiot in their entirety, delivering two of the most iconic punk albums front to back. Starting with Dookie, the band tore through classics like “Basket Case,” “Longview,” and “When I Come Around” with the same frenetic energy that defined them in the 90s. The crowd, a mix of old-school punks and younger fans, knew every word, and the sing-alongs were deafening.
But if Dookie was a time capsule of 90s rebellion, American Idiot felt like a sharp critique that resonates even more today. Songs like “Holiday,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and the explosive title track hit with an intensity that reminded everyone why this band has stayed relevant for three decades. The epic “Jesus of Suburbia” was the perfect way to cap the night—an anthem that felt cathartic in this chaotic world.
Green Day’s performance wasn’t just a concert; it was a testament to their staying power, proving they really are still the kings of punk rock.
