Green Day @ BOK Center, Tulsa, OK, March 3, 2017
By Armando
It has been 12 years since Green Day’s politically-charged “American Idiot”, an album that spawned iconic songs, won numerous awards, inspired a broadway show, and became a worldwide phenomenon. But the message of their music is as relevant as ever.
“No racism, no fascism, and no homophobia,” frontman Billie Joe Armstrong protested to loud and wild crowd at BOK Center in Tulsa, OK, Tuesday night.
Green Day, which consists of Billie Joe Armstrong (Vocals/Guitar), Mike Dirnt (Bass) and Tre Cool (Drummer), is in an interesting position in today’s punk rock scene: the trio have produced a broad catalog of hits and lesser known gems over their three-decade career that speaks and adapts to political changes. On Tuesday night, Green Day mixed politics and religion, “comedy and tragedy”, old and new materials, leaving the crowd rocking, inspired and just having a great fun time. The band reciprocated Tulsa fans’ enthusiasm with an exciting and memorable night, proving they are still one of the best live acts right now.
Green Day @ BOK Center, Tulsa, OK, March 3, 2017
The band’s career-spanning set was a varied and wide-ranging collection, performing songs from major label debut, Dookie that delighted original Green Day fans, to hits from ‘Idiot’, as well as new songs from ‘Revolution Radio’ and a few surprises in between. The tour is in support of ‘Revolution’, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 Album chart when it was released in early October last year.
Throughout the night, the always energetic Armstrong run across the stage and kept the arena on its feet. The band held a good balance of rebellious hard-hitting edge and playful theatrics. The night also had plenty of audience participation: Billy Joe pretended to forget the lyrics and invited a fan on-stage to sing, then later asked another fan to play a couple of guitar chords.
During one intimate moment, Billy Joe tells a story about his childhood past and introduced his mom who was sitting at the upper box corner of the arena, then reminded the crowd that she is from Oklahoma, making the night more special for everyone but especially for Armstrong. “No wonder I’m crazy”, says the front-man regarding his roots.
Green Day’s Mike Dirnt @ BOK Center, Tulsa, OK, March 3, 2017
Green Day has become one of the biggest punk rock bands to emerge from the early 90s. They were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 2015. With an enduring decades-long career rarely seen in rock music, it is amazing to watch how far they have come. The band definitely earned their place in rock music history.
Judging by the warm, often wild reception the band received last night from a multi-generational crowd, that’s more than I can ask for: inspiring kids everywhere and keeping the punk rock torch burning. Billy Joe once perfectly summed up their career: ‘You can take us out of a punk rock environment, but you can’t take the punk rock out of us.'”
Against Me! opened the show and will be touring with Green Day on North American dates.
See their setlist below from last night’s Tulsa, OK show:
Background Intro:
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen song)
Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramones song)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Setlist:
Know Your Enemy
Bang Bang
Revolution Radio
Holiday
Letterbomb
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Longview
Youngblood
2000 Light Years Away
Hitchin’ a Ride
When I Come Around
Waiting
Burnout
Scattered (Snippet of Do You Wanna Dance)
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
Encore 2:
Ordinary World
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
