Blink 182
Xfinity Theatre
Hartford, CT
September 02, 2016

Blink 182 released a new album and then kicked off the summer by announcing a tour. Then they made it even better by bringing All Time Low and A Day To Remember along to support them.

All Time Low

All Time Low opened up for this seemingly sold out show. The seats were mostly full, all the way back to those finding spots on the lawn. This American rock band from Maryland has been a filling up venues since 2003, and hasn’t slowed down. It was a really great turn out for an opening band.

I was not familiar with All Time Low when I arrived. It was great to hear everything for the first time. They have a really great pop/rock sound, with a great lead vocal. Alex Gaskarth, Jack Barajas, Rian Dawson and Zack Merrick make up this former high school band that are now full fledged rock stars.

Until they played “Weightless” and I then realized not only did I know a song of theirs, I loved a song! It was really great to be able to make a connection with the song and band. Next time I song along to, “Well I’m stuck in this fucking rut, Waiting on a second-hand pick-me-up”, it will mean so much more to me than a song to shake my blues away.

Setlist
Lost in Stereo
A Love Like War
Dancing with a Wolf
Six Feet Under the Stars
Backseat Serenade
Something’s Gotta Give
Missing You
Weightless
Dear Maria, Count Me In

---

A Day To Remember

I always try to prepare for bands before shows, but I slacked on this event for some reason. After a mild break, A Day to Remember took the stage. The only thing I could have told you about this band was they had cool graphics on their t-shirts.

After the show I did some research on the band. They hail from Ocala, Florida have been entertaining fans with some really great tracks and fun performances since 2003. Jeremy McKinnon, Neil Westfall, Joshua Woodard, Alex Shelnutt and Kevin Skaff make up this group of talented guys.

I really enjoyed their stage set up and how they engaged the audience. Not to mention the release of tons of beach balls for added entertainment.

Unlike All Time Low, there was literally not one song I recognized,but I really enjoyed them all. I would definitely recommend checking out this band!

Setlist
The Downfall of Us All
I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?
It’s Complicated
2nd Sucks
Right Back at It Again
Have Faith in Me
All Signs Point to Lauderdale
Paranoia
All I Want
If It Means a Lot to You
The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle

---

Blink 182

Finally, the real reason we came. The one band that I didn’t need to prepare for. I was ready for “All the Small Things”, “What’s My Age Again”, and “Cynical”. They did not disappoint. I had thought the place was packed for the opening band, I was wrong. The venue was bursting at the seams, if it wasn’t at capacity, it sure was close.

Blink 182 started in 1992, making its mark as one of the key bands developing the pop/punk sound. The band has since parted ways with one of the original singers, Tom DeLonge, but I honestly couldn’t tell the difference. Travis Barker, Mark Hoppus, and Matt Skiba played like like it was the 90’s all over again. They seemed to play every hit they had, and the crowd, including myself, loved it.

Setlist
Feeling This
What’s My Age Again?
Family Reunion
The Rock Show
Cynical
First Date
Down
I Miss You
Bored to Death
Built This Pool
Dumpweed
Stay Together for the Kids
Reckless Abandon
San Diego
Not Now
Violence
M+M’s
Dysentery Gary
Happy Holidays, You Bastard
Los Angeles
Encore:
Carousel
All the Small Things
Brohemian Rhapsody
Dammit