General Jack D. Ripper said:
I went to go see Rancid in Austin earlier this week. They were the middle show between the Linda Lindas and Green Day.
Well, it was probably the worst concert I ever went to. First, Rancid went on at around 6 pm…on a Tuesday…how punk is that. We showed up as Rancid was performing Ruby Soho for their encore. Another concert goer said they phoned it in and played 8 songs. So, I was pretty bummed.
And, I realized how old I've gotten because it wasn't a punk concert. It was a bunch of middle agers with their children. Spent quite a bit for the "pit" only to be surrounded by people taking selfies and videos. Even Billy Joe told people to put up their phones. I've never been to a concert with less energy.
I didn't care about seeing Green Day. I like their early stuff but he insisted on playing Dookie and American Idiot. But, I'll tell you, Billy Joe did his absolute best to put on a good show. They played around 2 hours.
Punk is dead. I am sad.
Is it punk not to actually pay attention to what you're buying a ticket for?
Set times have been the same across the board -- Rancid has gone on at 6 because in most stops on the tour you've got Smashing Pumpkins going on ~7:15 so that Green Day can take the stage and play a 2 hour set before 9:30. Would a 7pm start time have been more punk?
And they played 8 songs because they were the effectively the opener. I love Rancid, but they aren't going to get the same play time as The Smashing Pumpkins or Green Day.
As for Green Day... yes he insisted on playing Dookie and American Idiot because that's literally what the tour was marketed as -- playing Dookie and American Idiot.
Reading is dead. I am sad.
