Blink 182 - Echo Arena, Liverpool - 12/07/12

It was my first time in the newest venue in the North West. I have to say I was very impressed by what I found. Not overly big like the MENA or O2 London the views were superb all-round.
Me and my wife took her brother Chris for his birthday as Blink are one of those bands that we tend to throw into the playlist when creating art. I must admit that i've never been a huge fan of Blink. They're a band i've always admired but i've been snobbish, in that the people who tended to like them when they were massive 10 years ago were people I didn't much like to be around, so I only knew their "hits". In recent years however this has changed as i've listened to their albums properly and realised why they were so successful.

We were sat to the right of the stage, almost in line with the microphones, and although I always prefer to be in the centre of the main speakers to get a good sound, I can't complain. The sound was good, if not great, but the great view of the stage, and in particular Travis' drumming, was superb.
They opened with Feeling This which set the tone for the rest of the gig. High-tempoed and full of energy. All the classics were in there, The Rock Show, What's My Age Again? and All the Small Things. I have to admit my favourite parts were watching and listening to Travis Barker's drum solos. If Travis has only been spared death on a few occasions, for bringing this kind of pleasure to people then i'm thankful for that. The guy is just a phenomenal drummer. It was truly a pleasure to watch. He had is kids sat with him behind the kit with their ear defenders on. His girl had her own sticks and was air-drumming along with him. You could see he got a huge kick out of that. A very special moment indeed. When Travis played Can a Drummer Get Some? off his solo album as part of the encore, the place went nuts. His solo album was certainly one of the albums of last year for me. His drumming, mixed with some hand-picked hip-hop artists was just sublime. I highly recommend it if you haven't had a listen.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Mark and Tom, having settled their differences, have come back together and captured the essence of what made them great over 10 years ago. That coupled with Travis' drumming produces a wonderful show that you can't help get enthusiastic about (although the girl next to me obviously didn't feel that way. Face like thunder doesn't come close).

Support: The Blackout (we missed their set eating Pizza) & The All-American Rejects who seem to have regressed from the band i used to dislike 10 years previously. The singer was whiny and full of himself which worked for the girls down at the front who were lapping that shit up, but why anyone would actually pay to see them is beyond me.