Live Review: Lights, Camera, Action: Green Day Sell’s Out Portland’s Providence Park
Green Day‘s performance included a 37-song set list. It took songs from two of their most iconic albums, “Dookie” & “American Idiot.” This is the tour of the decade, it’s an adrenaline filled joyride through the past and now. Filled with a touch of fire, a bit of luck, and that human connection everyone’ hungry for.
I was first introduced to Green Day when I was 13, through my older sister. In the time before iTunes, we were ripping CDs of our favorite artists. I remember having a Sony Walkman CD player that would pop in Green Day’s International Superhits! which at the time blew my mind. Some of my favorite tracks off that album were “Longview,” “Macy’s Day Parade,” & “Minority.”
Providence Park houses over 30,000 fans annually for sports like soccer. This was the first time in 20 years that this venue put on any music events. This was the second concert to be held here this year, the former being Foo Fighters.
In almost 9 years of being a concert photographer, this was one of the biggest shows I’ve ever photographed. One of my favorite shows I’ve photographed this year, the whole experience was nostalgic and surreal.
Upon arrival, rain was on the forecast, and there was a pretty good chance of us getting rained on. But rain or shine, the show must go on. Eager fans were all set and ready for the first band to make it out on the stage.
The Linda Linda‘s are an all girl punk band based out of Los Angeles. Their rise to fame came in 2021 after a video named “Racist, Sexist Boy” made its rounds on social media and went viral. It caught the attention of Epitaph Records and led them to signing shortly afterwards. Their setlist included “Too Many Things,” “Growing Up,” “Nino,” “No Obligation,” “All in My Head,” “Oh!,” & “Racist, Sexist Boy.” They were the breakout hit of the tour and a joy to photograph. The lead singer was full of energy. I managed to capture some amazing shots from the cat walk in the rain.
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Formed by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, along with former members of Operation Ivy. Rancid is credited (alongside Green Day and The Offspring) as a band that revived mainstream interest in punk rock during the mid 90’s. Their sound is a mix of punk, jazz, & ska, all rolled up into one. The setlist included tracks like “Maxwell Murder,” “Roots Radicals,” “Old Friend,” & “Radio.” They finished out with their most famous songs “Timebomb” & “Ruby Soho.”
At this point in the show, the rain had subsided. The rain gods spoke and we were granted with clear skies the rest of the show. This was Smashing Pumpkin‘s first tour with their new guitarist “Kiki Wong.” The band held open auditions last year seeking a new guitarist. Smashing Pumpkins have dominated the rock airwaves since the mid 90’s. They first caught my attention when they released their double album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.”
We got a peek into some sunshine just in time for Smashing Pumpkins to take to the stage. They opened up the show with “The Everlasting Glaze,” “Doomsday Clock,” “Zoo Station (U2 Cover),” & “Today.” They also played their hits “Tonight, Tonight,” “Disarm,” “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” and “1979”. Saving a special performance of Jellybelly which accompanied Chino Moreno from Deftones. Finishing off the set with Zero.
The time had come finally to see Green Day all in their glory. We were escorted through the corridors of the venue until we were meet with the stage. Surrounded by fans, security, and more photographers. Queen’s “Bohemin Rhapsody” engaged the crowd in a sing along before the band took to the stage. To pump up the crowd, their bunny mascot came out in all Portland Timbers attire. He ran around the stage wreaking havoc. The Punk Bunny even did a cartwheel before exiting the stage.
The band opened the show up with “The American Dream Is Killing Me.” They burned through Dookie at blistering speed without breaking a sweat. I was really impressed with the showmanship each member of the band brought to the live performance. I can only imagine the mental stamina it takes to put on a show like this. Performing like this is impressive, especially after 30 years. Some of my favorites from this album include “Basket Case,” “She,” & “When I Come Around.”
The transition from “Dookie” to “American Idiot” was seamless, they didn’t mess around with losing any time throughout the show. The whole production was top notch. Everyone was right on cue. It didn’t even feel like 2 hours had gone by. There was so much to admire from the set pieces – each album had it’s own theme. For instance, American Idiot had a giant inflatable hand that was displayed behind the drummer. They had a 360 camera system that would show video of all members on the monitors.
I got to enjoy the rest of the set from the crowd. The second half of the show was for ‘American Idiot.’ I saw so much love. Compassion was everywhere in the crowd. The people in the crowd were between teenagers and a middle-aged demographic. I didn’t realize how many people this album meant something to. I saw people belting out the lyrics, word for word. There were moments of happiness, joy, and sadness. As a first timer seeing Green Day live, it was a life changing experience.
The Savors Tour continues on November 15th in Mexico City, Mexico.
