This August it will be five years since I saw Green Day at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon during the Revolution Radio Tour. It was the first time I saw them and it's hard to believe it has been that long. Back then I wrote about the concert on a different blog I used to be on but it is now gone. I kind of wish I saved it, but I'll do my best to write about it again.
If I recall correctly, I think the first time Green Day came to Portland, Oregon was when they were touring for American Idiot in 2005, and I wish I was at that concert. During that time I never knew about it, but even if I did know, my parents definitely wouldn't let me go since I was only 13. I remember one day that year I went with my mom and aunt on a day trip to Washington State, and as we passed by the Tacoma Dome on the freeway, I looked at the venue's sign and it said that Green Day would perform there in late September. I was jealous and wanted to see them so much. When Green Day toured for 21st Century Breakdown in 2009/2010 they didn't come back to Oregon, then later in November 2012 they were supposed to perform at the Armory in Oregon's capital Salem for the 99 Revolutions tour; but it got cancelled because of what happened with Billie Joe Armstrong.
Throughout the years I had always thought I would never have the chance to see Green Day live, but in January 2017 on a Monday I was on Twitter and Green Day posted the dates for the Revolution Radio tour. I looked and to my shock and excitement, they were going to the Moda Center in Portland and the tickets were going to be on sale later that Friday. I told my mom about it and cried, because I had been waiting for this for so long but I was worried there wouldn't be anyone to go with me since some of my family members aren't into Green Day, and my parents probably wouldn't let me see them, too. Also I felt bad telling my mom about it when Christmas just ended but she said she would figure out what to do. So Friday came, and my mom was able to buy two tickets and said she would go with me (she likes some of their songs). I was so happy.
2017 was a great year for me because I attended two concerts that Summer. On July 22 I went to my third Psychedelic Furs show, and then on August 2 I saw Green Day. On the day my brother and I saw The Psychedelic Furs we drove by the Moda Center and I thought of how I will be seeing Green Day there very soon. I got excited thinking about it.
So the 2nd of August came and my mom and I headed for Portland. The only bad part about that day was the weather. It was 105 degrees and the heat was really horrible. At the time our vehicle was a 2003 Dodge Caravan and unfortunately the air conditioning didn't work, so our clothes were drenched in sweat and we had to bring ice water with us. We took out ice cubes from the water and held them against our necks to keep us cool. I brought my Green Day CDs with me and we listened to them while driving.
The first time I had been to the Moda Center was when my brother and I saw Rush in 2015. When we went inside it blew my mind of how huge it was. My brother and I were at the upper part of the arena facing the stage, but with Green Day my mom and I were at the left in the lower section.
The opening act was Catfish & The Bottlemen, and after the intermission the moment finally came. When I saw Billie Joe, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool walk up on stage I almost broke down. I couldn't believe it was happening and I had waited 12 years for this. I even brought binoculars so that I could look at them close up!
I think the main highlight for me was when they played some of the songs from American Idiot, and I was in tears when they did "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams." Hearing "Jesus Of Suburbia" live was so fantastic and singing along to the whole song was a fun experience. Another highlight was "Forever Now" which is one of my favorite songs from Revolution Radio, and I want to say every time I see the song title I always think of The Psychedelic Furs' album and song of the same name.
During "Knowledge" an 11 year old girl came up on stage to play guitar (and got to keep it) and here is something I want to mention... This is my own opinion, but I honestly don't get it when people bring their young kids with them to Green Day concerts. I would think to myself, like, don't the parents realize that most of Green Day's songs are not suitable for kids to listen to? I mean, they can listen to the ones that are decent but not the songs that have strong language and/or are about explicit topics. Plus the concerts aren't exactly appropriate for kids to go to, either.
Anyway, during the second encore it was just Billie Joe with his acoustic guitar and he performed "Ordinary World" and "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)." At the start of "Good Riddance" I sang along to the opening line but I stopped because I was getting choked up with emotion. Later at the end Mike and Tré came to stand with Billie and the confetti appeared. And then they left.
I have to admit I was worried that my mom wouldn't enjoy the concert but to my surprise she said that out of all the concerts she attended, the Green Day one was the best concert she ever went to! It was really great hearing that and I was relieved my mom loved it.
Even after five years I still can't believe I saw Green Day live. It feels like it was all a dream but it wasn't. It happened in real life and I'm so happy I finally had the opportunity to see them. The concert was awesome and Green Day were amazing. It's one of the shows that I will always remember and I am very thankful.
Setlist:
1. Know Your Enemy
2. Bang Bang
3. Revolution Radio
4. Holiday
5. Letterbomb
6. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
7. Longview
8. Youngblood
9. 2,000 Light Years Away
10. Hitchin' A Ride
11. When I Come Around
12. Welcome To Paradise
13. Minority
14. Are We The Waiting
15. St. Jimmy
16. Knowledge (Operation Ivy cover)
17. Basket Case
18. She
19. King For A Day
20. Shout / Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life / (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction / Hey Jude
21. Still Breathing
22. Forever Now
Encore 1:
23. American Idiot
24. Jesus Of Suburbia
Encore 2:
25. Ordinary World
26. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)
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| Tickets and a little souvenir from the show. |
*All photos by me*
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