I’ve been lucky enough to see Blink 182 a few times. Some of my fondest live music memories are from their shows. When they returned from their “hiatus” I even drove to Glasgow to see them play. I’ve always been a Mark Hoppus girl; he can do no wrong in my eyes. So although it may not have been Blink as I’ve seen them before, I was still excited to see Mark.
I was a little worried that with the absences of Tom they might gloss over the hits and play a California heavy set. I guess that would have been the easy thing to do but since when have they ever taken the easy way out of anything?
The squeezed a massive 22 hits (and a drum solo by Landon Barker) into an hour and a quarter and it was a complete pop punk powerhouse of a set. I’m pretty sure all the hits I wanted them to play – they did. It might not be Blink as I’ve always known it but it certainly wasn’t a disappointment in any way.
Matt Skiba’s voice pulled me out of my little Blink bubble every now and then though, I must admit. It’s just so different to the nasal, Tom DeLonge high notes I’ve grown to know and love. I do feel for Skiba though. It can’t be an easy feat having to step into Tom’s shoes but he’s doing well I think. In fact, when he sang Reckless Abandon I was won over. No, it won’t ever be the same but I’d rather see Blink with Matt Skiba than no Blink at all!