Green Day Delivers Dream Show for Fans at Azura Amphitheatre

August 21, 2024 Robert Chadwick Concert Reviews Comments Off

Green Day performing on the stage at Azura Amphitheatre in Bonner Springs, Kansas on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. (Photo credit: Reagan Johnson)

REAGAN JOHNSON | Go Venue Magazine

Green Day played at Azura Amphitheatre in Bonner Springs, Kansas on Tuesday, August 20th as part of their ongoing Saviors Tour. The band is touring in support of their newest album and in celebration of their album Dookie’s 30th anniversary, and American Idiot’s 20th anniversary. In honor of the anniversaries, they are playing the two albums in their entirety back-to-back.

The Linda Lindas rushed the stage with energy and excitement for a short and sweet set. This was my first time seeing them perform, but I’ve heard their name buzzing around for years. Their reputation absolutely precedes them. The band opened with their song “Too Many Things” which was upbeat and catchy. All the members of the band have a wonderful stage presence, and it’s hard not to smile while watching them. They took the time on a few occasions to wholeheartedly thank the crowd for coming out early to see them. After their set, they spent some time at the Artist Booth meeting fans and signing things for them. Altogether, their sound and their personality were refreshing, and I can’t wait to catch them next time I get the chance.

Rancid was met with excited cheers and chanting before their set. Their setlist was perfect, and they powered through it with the high-energy punk sound that fans have come to know and love from the band. The setlist included songs such as “The 11th Hour”, “Ghost of a Chance”, and “Fall Back Down”. They closed out their time Tuesday night with fan favorites “Time Bomb” and “Ruby Soho”. Everyone in attendance sang the words to the latter song back to the band as they thanked everyone and set the stage for the main event.

The excitement swelled as the jam-packed amphitheater sang along to Queen Bohemian Rhapsody. Green Day’s unofficial mascot “Drunk Bunny” took to the stage to continue building the suspense, jumping and dancing to The Ramones’ Blitzkrieg Bop. After an intro mashup of the Star Wars Imperial March, Billie Joe Armstrong’s voice could be heard singing a few notes offstage. Those few notes sent the crowd into a frenzy, and Green Day jumped right into action.

They took the stage with flashes of light and pyro, making a grand display fitting of one of the biggest bands in the world. We were lucky to see this show at one of the more intimate venues on this tour. The venue was packed, fuller than I’ve ever seen it. It was incredible to be a part of the giant sea of faces and arms, smiling, crying, and singing along to all of our favorite songs.

The setlist was out of this world. As a lifelong fan, it was surreal to see two of the greatest albums performed exactly the way they used to come out of my stereo. As well as playing both Dookie and American Idiot in their entirety, Green Day played several hits from the new album Saviors, such as “One Eyed Bastard” and “Dilemma”. They also included some old favorites from albums such as “Insomniac” and “Nimrod”. This was the first concert I’ve attended where I knew every single song and could sing along to the entire set. Fans young and old never stopped jumping, dancing, and singing. Lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong can command a crowd like no one else.

After the last track on Dookie, there is a “hidden track” long beloved by fans. Drummer Tre Cool, who does the vocals for the song, performed the cheeky musical anecdote “I Was Alone” in a leopard print robe. I’m so glad they included this in the show, I know I, for one, never thought I’d get to hear it live.

Billie Joe Armstrong took a break between songs to decry the state of hate and divisiveness in America right now. He implored us all to “Look around you.” and stated, “This is the truth. This is unity”. The elated crowd was proof of his words. We could all use the message to “Look for love, it’s all around you” in our lives. The love and unity at a Green Day show is something unmatched. I will never hesitate to answer Green Day when asked who puts on the greatest concert that you can see today. I can’t wait to see how the band will top The Saviors Tour, because this one was a dream come true.