Punk rock band Blink-182 kicked off their "Bored to Death" tour last month. My boyfriend and I attended their show in Oklahoma City, and let's just say it was rather interesting.
I know the obvious reason for me to say the show was interesting must be about Matt Skiba replacing Tom DeLonge as vocalist and guitarist, right? Wrong!
Let me be very clear: it wasn't interesting because of Matt Skiba's performance. Skiba, of the band Alkaline Trio, did a great job taking over for Tom. I was a bit worried about his performance after my boyfriend showed me a video (starts around the 0.31 mark) of him flubbing "What's My Age Again?" that is super cringe-worthy. But in OKC, he played like he had always been in the band. He even wore an OKC Thunder shirt with number 182 and his name on the back the whole show.
I thought Blink-182 played an awesome set. It was a good mix of the songs our generation grew up with, as well as some of the songs from their new record “California."
No, I call the show interesting because of the crowd in attendance. Allow me to explain.
I have never been to any event (music, sporting, movie, etc.) where so many people in our row (and section) left their seats as often as they did. I'm talking every five minutes, someone got up to get a drink or do whatever else he or she got up to do. And during Blink's set! In between bands is one thing. So is getting one drink or going to the bathroom. But these people took it to a whole new level.
Besides the constant coming and going, people were continuously talking during the show. Like full on conversations. It was clear that they were just there to hang out and drink, not to see Blink-182's set. I have a hard time understanding why you would pay to go to a concert and not pay attention! Not to mention that our tickets were $75 a piece. One of my coworkers who was also at the concert told me that a couple in front of him kept taking selfies during the show. Again, do that kind of stuff in between bands or before the show starts! You are taking away from the experience for those of us who are actually there to see the band.
On top of people just being at the show to be at a show, it was clear that many people were there because, “OMG guys! Blink-182 is coming to the Peake! We have to go.” I’m sure they were just there for “What’s My Age Again?” or “All The Small Things.” You could tell the audience wasn’t as familiar with the songs on “California” or songs that weren’t big hits. I ran into a girl I went to school with at a bar after the show, and she told me she was bummed they didn’t play “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Her complaint confused me, and she said that she heard they were going to cover the Queen song. Then it clicked. I explained to her that Blink-182 has a song on their new album called “Brohemian Rhapsody.” It is one of their short joke songs and they did play it.
After I talked with her for a few minutes, I sat back down with my boyfriend and told him what she had told me. We were both a little perplexed as to how and why whoever told her that they would play that song clearly has no idea what is going on with Blink-182. In my opinion, they aren’t even the type of band to cover that song.
And now we arrive at the Tom-Matt drama. I heard so many people asking, “Where’s Tom?” or “Who is that other guy?” People! Tom isn’t playing with Blink anymore! Matt plays with them now! Where have you been?! Have you not watched the music video for “Bored To Death,” their new single? I even heard a guy ask the girl with him, “Is that guy from Angels & Airwaves?” to which she replied, “Yeah, I think so.” Like, what? No. Tom is the guy from Angels & Airwaves.
Why pay good money to see a band you aren’t that in to? Or aren’t really familiar with? Just to say you’ve seen Blink-182? That is not a good enough reason. If I go to a concert, it’s because I enjoy that band or artist’s music and want to see them live. There is a certain feeling I get when I hear a favorite song live.
It makes me sad to think that this is what concerts are turning into: a place to hang out, drink, and Snap your friends. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people at concerts all over genuinely there to see one of their favorite bands play live. But this isn’t the first time I have encountered a situation like this. And I’m sad to that it probably will not be the last.
