Frank Turner and Blink 182 stunned crowds at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena with their mesmerising sets on Sunday night.
The group might have been going for 20 years, but they looked and sounded more alive than ever as 11,000 fans were treated to a spectacular evening.
RECOMMENDED READING: BLINK 182 BRING THE ROCK SHOW TO METRO RADIO ARENA
RUSHONROCK were on hand to get a review of the whole evening, while their support act Turner further established his reputation as one of the best live acts around.
Scroll through the rest of this article to see exclusive pictures of the whole night and relive (or experience for the first time) a true exhibition in how to play live.
1/15
With the audience well and truly pumped up, Blink 182 took them back to the summer of 2001 as they launched into The Rock Show.
2/15
Blink 182 fans have had to wait to see their heroes in Newcastle again, but the wait proved worthwhile as the trio delivered an electrifying performance, with Matt Skiba once again proving he is a major upgrade on Tom DeLonge.
3/15
The relationship between Skiba and Hoppus is something to treasure. This dynamic duo, combined with the passion of Barker makes for an exhilarating live performance, and it’s clear it extends beyond the stage and into their song writing.
4/15
While Skiba knocked the classics out of the park, there was a special feel radiating from the band when they played the likes of Cynical, Sober and Built This Pool – the modern age of Blink 182.
5/15
With 11,000 pop-punks packed into a hot, sweaty Metro Radio Arena, Blink 182 raced through 20 years of material, including fan favourites Anthem Part Two, What’s My Age Again and I Miss You. These iconic songs sent the audience wild with screaming, climbing on shoulders and perpetual pogoing.
6/15
The energy from the crowd was matched on stage by a band that look happier, tighter and more in touch with their music than they have done for the best part of a decade.
7/15
After just an hour, Blink 182 left the stage, before returning for All The Small Things and Dammit.
8/15
These anthemic tracks were met by a wall of sound from an enthused audience as they screamed back every word, as confetti poured from the ceiling and the show came to an end with a drum solo from Travis’ son.
9/15
As explosions of fire appeared from behind the stage, Travis Barker delivered an explosion of style from behind the kit.
10/15
Barker’s talent and showmanship is such that he can carry a show almost single handedly, something even some of the greatest drummers on the planet would struggle with.
11/15
With a full stage set up, including the iconic FTHC backdrop, Frank wasted no time getting the FTA ( Frank Turner Army) punching the air, as he launched into Get Better.
12/15
Despite only having 40 minutes to impress, Frank more than delivered, even bringing fellow Xtra Mile label mate Will Varleyon stage to perform a harmonica solo during Dan’s Song.
13/15
With such an arsenal of arena ready anthems at his disposal, a condensed set list was always going to be difficult, but Recovery, The Next Storm and If Ever I Stray all went down a treat with the Geordie audience.
14/15
In Frank’s usual habitats, getting the whole audience to sit down during Photosynthesis is perfectly doable, but in the Metro Radio Arena? Come on, the is Frank a Turner we’re talking about – of course he smashed it out of the park and (literally) brought 11,000 people to their knees!
15/15
As time started to run out, Frank give a passionate speech on Safe Gigs For Women, before launching into I Still Believe. With hands clapping and people singing along, it was clear these ‘used car salesmen’ had converted more than a few to the power of rock and roll.
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Photo credit: India Fleming.