Blink-182, Reunited with Their Classic Lineup, Play Bridgestone Arena Tonight, July 16

Arguably one of the most singularly influential acts in ’90s and early ’00s pop punk, who, along with peers like Green Day, helped catapult the genre in the mainstream, San Diego trio Blink-182 came together more than 30 years ago as a scrappy punk band, breaking into the mainstream with 1997 sophomore effort Dude Ranch, before finding massive success with their 1999 era-defining Enema of the State, going on to release further classics on the scene like 2001’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket and their more mature and experimental 2003 LP Untitled. Aside from a short-lived breakup from 2005-2009, the iconic band have never exactly gone away, but the past decade or so has seen their activity become much more intermittent, with other projects, health issues, and personal obligations often taking precedent, as well as the departure of co-founder and co-frontman Tom DeLonge in 2015.

Going on to record two new albums, 2016’s California and 2019’s Nine in DeLonge’s absence, with the assistance of Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba (who also toured extensively with Blink in support), the group have persistently kept the spirit of Blink-182 alive, even as fan chatter about the prospects and hope of DeLonge’s return has followed them over the years. And then, after founder and co-frontman Mark Hoppus recently battled cancer, it intensified, as the trio, rounded out by prolific drummer Travis Barker, seemingly overcame their personal differences to reconcile as friends (mirroring Blink’s 2009 reunion in the wake of Barker’s near-fatal plane crash). Late last year, after months of speculation, it became official: Tom DeLonge is back in Blink-182, and the band will release a new album with their classic lineup- their first since 2011’s comeback Neighborhoods– sometime in the near future, with an extensive world tour underway in support!

Returning to Nashville for the first time since 2016 (then with the Skiba-led version of the lineup), Blink are set to play Music City with Tom DeLonge for the first time in more than 20 years tonight, July 16 at Bridgestone Arena, joined by breakout hardcore outfit Turnstile for a show sure to heavy on the millennial pop punk and emo nostalgia. Thought tickets initially sold out rather quickly, it appears some lower section seats have been released, as well as some more affordable (but obstructed) sections beyond the stage, right here. As longtime Blink fans can attest, among the group’s best attributes are that they’ve always doubled down on what they do best, never taken themselves too seriously, and have always respected their fans’ love of and the important legacy of their classics, packing their live shows with hits from the ’90s and ’00s and continuing to crack jokes and banter like they’re still in their 20s, making a Blink-182 show feel all the more like a nostalgic, old school pop punk time capsule, and an experience you don’t want to miss!

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