Blink-182 brings wild 'Rock Show' to PPG Paints Arena

Blink-182 might have grown older over the years, but they sure haven’t grown up.

Despite enduring over the past eight years, among other things, a cancer scare, a departure and subsequent reunion with a founding member, and the scrutiny from marrying into a celebrity family, the pop-punk stalwarts are still managing to hold on to their irreverence and immaturity.

And the crowd in attendance at a sold-out show Wednesday night at PPG Paints Arena wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

The veteran rockers, who just officially got back together in October, opened with “Anthem Part Two” before “Rock Show.”

And then came “Family Reunion,” their joyous ode to profanity and other vulgarities. Throughout the show, bassist Mark Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge exchanged banter full of sexual humor, aimed at themselves and each other. “This is what we do,” Hoppus added later in the show.

Hoppus and DeLonge managed to bash Cleveland a few times, to the crowd’s delight. They also made sure to poke fun at Pittsburgh, asking about the Penguins: “Where (are) you guys in the playoffs now?”

Blink-182 leaned heavily on three albums for 17 of their 25-song set: 1999’s “Enema of the State” album, 2001’s “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket” and 2003’s “Blink-182.”

Those albums provided ample opportunity for cathartic singalongs and crowd surfing, and fans lit up the arena with their phones during “Stay Together for the Kids,” prompting Hoppus to say afterwards: “That one gets me.”

All through the night, Hoppus cruised the stage with a smile on his face, as DeLonge shimmied and danced.

DeLonge had left the band in 2015, replaced by Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba for two albums before the reconciliation last year. He even sang two songs Wednesday that he wasn’t originally a part of, “Cynical” and “Bored to Death” from 2016’s “California” album.

While Hoppus and DeLonge joked through the night, drummer Travis Barker didn’t say anything, leaving his intricate percussion to speak for itself. Barker, who married Kourtney Kardashian last May, is obviously no stranger to the spotlight. And he became the real center of attention Wednesday during “Down” when his drum platform was raised 15-20 feet above the stage, where it stayed for five songs.

.@blink182 at PPG Paints Arena pic.twitter.com/xfMRfmxi4T

— Mike Palm (@MikePalmMedia) May 18, 2023

One of those was “Adam’s Song,” which got a heartfelt intro from 51-year-old Hoppus, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021 and declared cancer-free later that year.

“I was overwhelmed with all the love and support from complete strangers who … never heard of our band and reminded me that tomorrow does hold such better days,” he said. “So this song is for all of you.”

Both Hoppus and DeLonge confessed to getting emotional during the song, adding sarcastically they “like breaking down in front of 15,000 people.”

After “Ghost on the Dance Floor” (with a big drum solo) came another of their fan favorites, “What’s My Age Again?” which included a giant inflatable of their rabbit mascot.

They then mocked the fake encore many bands utilize, closing their set with the final three of their hits they had yet to play: “First Date,” “All The Small Things” and “Dammit.” With a mountain of confetti settling on stage, Blink-182 left no doubts about their ability to put on a “Rock Show.”

Opening bands

Turnstile may be a Grammy nominee, but they aren’t shy about putting their hardcore punk roots on display. The Baltimore band thrashed through 10 songs in less than 40 minutes. Highlights included “Mystery,” a lengthy drum solo leading into “Big Smile” and “Blackout.” They slowed it down on their penultimate song, “Alien Love Call” before getting the crowd to its feet as they blasted through “Holiday.”

Los Angeles rockers Beauty School Dropout bounced through an energetic 30-minute opening set, which included “We Made Plans & God Laughed” and “Assassin,” before closing with “FIGHT MODE.” The band, whose singer Cole Hutzler performed in a black Willie Stargell shirt, also played “Dying to Be You,” which isn’t officially released until Friday.

Setlist