Blink 182 & Taking Back Sunday at Mohegan Sun

Although punk rock is not exactly my cup of tea, both Taking Back Sunday and Blink 182 did wake up the audience at the Mohegan Sun Arena last night. Towards the end of the night, the venue managed to fill up with punk fans.

Taking Back Sunday didn’t waste a single second beginning their set. After they played their intro song, The Lion King’s “Circle of Life”, they started with “Error: Operator”, quickly followed by “You Know How I Do” and “Liar (It Takes One to Know One)”. They continued with “Faith (When I Let You Down)”, “A Decade Under the Influence”, and “What’s It Feel Like to Be A Ghost?” The crowd surfing started by the end of this song and the alternatively dressed fans in front of the barricade squealed with delight as frontman Adam Lazzara looked right at them and occasionally point to them. They finished the speedy set with “You’re So Last Summer”, “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team)”, and “MakeDamnSure”. I was disappointed that they didn’t play their hit single, “I Know You Know”, but all in all it was a very good set and they definitely warmed the crowd up for Blink-182’s performance.

Blink-182 were more than ready to show what they all had in store for us. They immediately started their setlist with “Feeling This”, “Up All Night”, “The Rock Show” and “What’s My Age Again?” I have never seen Blink-182 before and haven’t heard them in a long time, and so far, I was very impressed with how energized they were and what one hell of a show they were putting on! Travis Barker was a force, as always, on the drum kit, displaying his genre blending talent borrowing drum techniques from other genres of music at s

ome points. The onstage chemistry between Mark and Tom was an example of everything that is Pop Punk. The jokes and silly comments back and forth created a rapport that is not often seen with bands that haven been together as long as blink 182.

They continued with “Dogs Eating Dogs”, “Down”, and personally one of my favorites, “I Miss You”, the whole crowd, myself included, sang along whole-heartedly. They didn’t pause one second in proceeding with “Wishing Well”, “Disaster”, “Dumpweed”, “Always”, and so many fantastic songs including their classic hit “All the Small Things”. They finished their set with “Josie”, “Carousel”, “Dammit” and “Family Reunion”.

Overall, the crowd’s energy was through the roof and as for both Blink-182 and Taking Back Sunday, they gave the crowd what they needed: a killer show! Be sure to check out their tour dates, it’s a show you will not want to miss!