The Greatest Live Band In The World. Round Three.

"Now this is a fucking gathering!" Screams Billie Joe Armstong to 36,000 people as the sun still shines on a fine summer evening. It's around 7:50pm at Lancashire County Cricket Ground in Manchester, and the world's greatest live band, Green Day, have just took to the stage. Previously, Britain's very own punk/folk troubadour Frank Turner had played a beautiful half an hour set to a semi-full stadium, as punters begin to fill the largest venue he's ever performed to. Later, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstong will describe Mr Turner as "a fucking brilliant song writer." One can only imagine a complement from such an amazing musician, along with a personal invitation to support them on these two stadium shows will make Frank feel a little more than special - especially since he's used to playing pubs and small academies.

Frank delivers a live show unlike what you'd expect to support such an event. Armed with what appears to be only his acoustic guitar, Turner may seem a little small and irrelevant compared to the size of the stage, audience and headline act. However his inventory of impressive songs are not out of place. He won't sit down and he won't shut up - so you best all listen. It strikes me that Frank Turner is a man who'll play wherever he has a chance to. A man who holds his music so close to his heart that if busking were the only way that people could hear it, he'd be there on the street, putting in 100% and everything else he has. He's dedicated, and it shows.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts are the second and final support act to play. Although she was once considered a punk icon, her sound is more plain ol' rock n roll (but doesn't she love it!) than the earlier days of her musical career. 'I Love Rock and Roll' goes down well with the crowd, but I still think Frank Turner is better.

Green Day are fantastic. Just the greatest live band in the world - BAR NONE. Their setlist covers everything from the popular monumental ones such as "Basketcase," modern favourites like "American Idiot," and surprise covers including "Iron Man" and "Champagne Supernova."

As always the crowd are as much apart of the show as the band themselves. They frequently pull them up on stage to sing along. During "East Jesus Nowhere" Billie Joe picks out a little American girl to "save" in a mock religious ceremony. The girl's name is Alison, making the frontman serenade her with Elvis Costello's "Alison." (Fitting.)

Forty-three songs is an impressive setlist for any band, but Green Day wouldn't have it any other way. You really do get your money's worth when seeing this band live. People actually laugh at me for loving them as much as I do at the age of seventeen, but until you see them, until you experience them, you'll never understand. For me, this was round three, and still I can't put into words how amazing they are. Round four can't come soon enough.

Setlist:
Song of the Century
21st Century Breakdown
Know Your Enemy
East Jesus Nowhere
Alison (Elvis Costello cover)
Holiday
The Static Age
Give Me Novacaine
Are We The Waiting
St. Jimmy
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
2000 Light Years Away
Nice Guys Finish Last
Burnout
Coming Clean
Geek Stink Breath
86
Hitchin' A Ride
Master Of Puppets (Metallica cover)
Welcome To Paradise
When I Come Around
Iron Man (Black Sabbath cover)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns N' Roses cover)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
Brain Stew
Jaded
Longview
Basket Case
She
King For A Day
Shout (The Isley Brothers cover)
Shout /Teenage Kicks / (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction / Champagne Supernova / Hey Jude
21 Guns
Minority

Encore:
American Idiot
Jesus Of Suburbia

Encore 2:
When It's Time
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

Winston ♥

I'm going to drift away from the usual music topic of my blog, just so I can tell you about my lovely puppy Winston.
He's adorable and I love him.