On Monday, July 29th, Nationals Park in Washington DC lit up as California rock band Green Day took to the stage for the opening night of the North American leg of the Saviors Tour. The tour, beyond celebrating the release of the band’s newest album, Saviors, is special because it is celebrating the 20 and 30 year anniversaries of the albums American Idiot and Dookie, respectively. After a 17 show run across Europe, the rockers took to the stage exactly one month from their final show at Wembley Stadium to give the same power and energy to the citizens of DC. 

Green Day, comprised of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tré Cool, is certainly a household name for those whose music taste is even remotely punk/rock-leaning. Formed in 1987, the band has been producing music together for the past three decades with Saviors marking their 14th album. The band’s music is powerful and politically-charged, though as performers they let the music speak for itself. With over two full albums of music to get through, there is little time for pleasantries on this tour. 

Despite being named for their latest release, the Saviors Tour is truly a celebration of Green Day’s contribution to the American pop punk scene. The band has opted to retain the same set list from the European leg of tour, playing the entirety of both Dookie and American Idiot, just as they promised when the tour was announced. And completing their set was no small feat. With a whopping 37 songs, Green Day’s set alone was nearly two and a half hours long. The trio’s stamina was impressive, never slowing down and continuing to power through both intense albums, delivering the energy that each song asks for. 

The show opened with the lead track from Saviors, “The American Dream is Killing Me”, an American anxiety anthem, before launching into Dookie, played cover-to-cover. The crowd erupted. After the first album concluded, the band played a trio of new songs off of Saviors, “Look Ma, No Brains!”, “One Eyed Bastard”, and “Dilemma” alongside a few tracks off of earlier albums. Among these tracks was “Know Your Enemy” during which Armstrong invited a fan onstage to join him for the second half of the song, making the fan promise that they knew the lyrics. You can check out that moment here. 

The second half of the evening heard all of American Idiot to which fans showed no hesitation in singing along. 40,000 voices echoed through the streets of Washington DC claiming they were “disciples of the Jesus of suburbia” and to “wake [them] up when September ends.” The evening closed with Armstrong playing an acoustic rendition of “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” while his bandmates joined him, wrapping their arms around one another before Cool strummed the final chord, a sonic energy reverberating through the stadium. 

A Green Day concert is special. Looking at the crowd, it becomes apparent just how much of an impact this band has been able to have in a nearly four decade-long career. There were audience members of all ages, each, of course, with their own relationship to the band’s music given their age and longevity. With each guttural cry, audience members are able to seek emotional release through the band’s music that speaks to the overwhelming turmoil of today’s political and social environment. By having the outlet to shout along to the lyrics, Green Day offers a momentary relief from the burdens of everyday life… just like a concert ought to do. 

On this leg of the Saviors Tour, Green Day is being supported by three bands - The Linda Lindas, Rancid, and The Smashing Pumpkins. All three acts put on great sets… the only thing that spoiled the evening was a storm delay that cut Rancid’s set short after only 2 songs. However, with these three acts on the bill, it suggests that it will be well-worth showing up early to hear them open shows over the next two months. 

And, it feels like there is no better send off than what Green Day chose for themselves. Like any good live show, 

“It's something unpredictable // But in the end, it's right // I hope you had the time of your life.” 

You can catch Green Day on the Saviors Tour until the end of September, with tickets available here.