Carson, CA Home Depot Center, October 8th, 2005
It was more of a cloudy blue night than a green day, and in the light pollution of Los Angeles the only stars were the scores of lighters and cell phones waving in the air.
Event staff wearing bright yellow jackets looked like fiery comets amid the darker-clad concert-goers, who slowly filled the Home Depot Center to capacity on Sunday. But the center of gravity, and of attention for that matter, was Green Day, perhaps the hottest band on the planet since the release of its politically charged album American Idiot.
This Oct. 9 show officially concluded months of touring for Green Day, which has peaked in popularity seventeen years after its birth.
'Look at this - a punk rock band playing a stadium!' raved Billie Joe Armstrong, the free-spirited frontman of Green Day.
Armstrong, along with bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool, kicked-off the concert with energetic renditions of the first few tracks from their new record, highlighted by fireworks during a powerful performance of the anti-war 'Holiday', which has followed-up the title track as another strong single.
Green Day then treated their long-term fans to 'Brain Stew' and other old favorites, not to mention a cover of Operation Ivy's 'Knowledge', during which three fans were called to the stage by Armstrong to play the instruments while he sang.
'We’re making dreams come true, people!' exclaimed Armstrong, who repeatedly pranced across the stage with confidence as he commanded the audience like a king.
But Green Day is not just 'King for a Day' like their humorous song suggests.
The band's ability to keep the crowd involved with anthems and antics is unparalleled and keeps fans coming back for more.
'Everywhere on stage there was something to look at,' said junior Lauren M, who attended the Saturday show. 'Watching Green Day in concert is fun because they’re so lively.'
'Billie Joe really looked like he was having fun up there, and that made it fun for me,' added senior Glenn P. 'It was an awesome performance.'
After paying tribute to the Isley Brothers with a participatory cover of 'Shout', Green Day pressed on with the melancholy 'Wake Me Up When September Ends' and the more upbeat and rebellious 'Minority'.
A vast majority of fans stayed for the encore performance, which concluded with 'Good Riddance', arguably Green Day’s most popular song.
'I hope you had the time of your life,' yearned Armstrong.
The sold-out crowd at the Home Depot Center definitely did.
Event staff wearing bright yellow jackets looked like fiery comets amid the darker-clad concert-goers, who slowly filled the Home Depot Center to capacity on Sunday. But the center of gravity, and of attention for that matter, was Green Day, perhaps the hottest band on the planet since the release of its politically charged album American Idiot.
This Oct. 9 show officially concluded months of touring for Green Day, which has peaked in popularity seventeen years after its birth.
'Look at this - a punk rock band playing a stadium!' raved Billie Joe Armstrong, the free-spirited frontman of Green Day.
Armstrong, along with bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool, kicked-off the concert with energetic renditions of the first few tracks from their new record, highlighted by fireworks during a powerful performance of the anti-war 'Holiday', which has followed-up the title track as another strong single.
Green Day then treated their long-term fans to 'Brain Stew' and other old favorites, not to mention a cover of Operation Ivy's 'Knowledge', during which three fans were called to the stage by Armstrong to play the instruments while he sang.
'We’re making dreams come true, people!' exclaimed Armstrong, who repeatedly pranced across the stage with confidence as he commanded the audience like a king.
But Green Day is not just 'King for a Day' like their humorous song suggests.
The band's ability to keep the crowd involved with anthems and antics is unparalleled and keeps fans coming back for more.
'Everywhere on stage there was something to look at,' said junior Lauren M, who attended the Saturday show. 'Watching Green Day in concert is fun because they’re so lively.'
'Billie Joe really looked like he was having fun up there, and that made it fun for me,' added senior Glenn P. 'It was an awesome performance.'
After paying tribute to the Isley Brothers with a participatory cover of 'Shout', Green Day pressed on with the melancholy 'Wake Me Up When September Ends' and the more upbeat and rebellious 'Minority'.
A vast majority of fans stayed for the encore performance, which concluded with 'Good Riddance', arguably Green Day’s most popular song.
'I hope you had the time of your life,' yearned Armstrong.
The sold-out crowd at the Home Depot Center definitely did.
