Green Day’s Return to Charlotte Was Worth the Wait

Some singers just have “it” — a blend of charisma, talent, stage presence and endless energy that, when applied consistently, just about guarantees a decades-long career in rock ‘n’ roll or whatever genre it is that a musician finds themselves categorized in.

Back in May, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl showcased “it.” Then on Monday, at PNC Music Pavilion, Green Day singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong showcased the same visceral flair. The 52-year-old was relentless in performing no less than 37 songs, running around the stage, firing up the crowd, sparking singalongs, jumping off speakers and showing absolutely no sign of aging.

It had been more than 15 years since Green Day was last in Charlotte and the sold-out crowd soaked in every moment, singing their hearts out for nearly two-and-a-half hours. The ongoing Saviors Tour features the band performing two of its most popular albums in their entirety: Dookie, in observance of the 1994 album’s 30th anniversary; and American Idiot, which is turning 20 this year.

The band kicked off with its latest single, “The American Dream is Killing Me,” just to show they’ve still got it before going into Dookie, Green Day’s major label debut. They then played a handful of other songs from their repertoire before playing the full track list of American Idiot, the Grammy Award-winning album that resuscitated the pop-punk band’s career.

While Armstrong has made headlines for his political commentary from time to time, the only hint of it came during “American Idiot,” when he sang, “I’m not part of a MAGA agenda.” Outside of that, Armstrong focused on a sense of unity throughout the night, reminding the crowd, “You’re not alone.” The night was simply a celebration of classic pop-punk rock music.

Though tour mates Smashing Pumpkins didn’t join for the Charlotte stop (locals fans of that band got to see them a year ago to the week), they did bring famed punk rockers Rancid for their first performance in the Queen City in recent memory (at least 15 years).

Having shed his iconic mohawk, Rancid guitarist/singer Tim Armstrong (no relation to the Green Day singer), was a barrel of energy on his own at 58 years old, rarely standing still as he ran, bounced and spun his way around the stage. The band performed a number of hits, including “Time Bomb,” “Ruby Soho” and “Roots Radicals.”

The night opened with a brief set by young punk band The Linda Lindas.

Green Day setlist
The American Dream Is Killing Me
Burnout
Having a Blast
Chump
Longview
Welcome to Paradise
Pulling Teeth
Basket Case
She
Sassafras Roots
When I Come Around
Coming Clean
Emenius Sleepus
In the End
F.O.D.
All By Myself
Know Your Enemy
Look Ma, No Brains!
One Eyed Bastard
Dilemma
Minority
Brain Stew
American Idiot
Jesus of Suburbia
Holiday
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Are We the Waiting
St. Jimmy
Give Me Novacaine
She’s a Rebel
Extraordinary Girl
Letterbomb
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Homecoming
Watsername
Encore
Bobby Sox
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

Rancid setlist
Radio
Maxwell Murder
Roots Radicals
Tomorrow Never Comes
The 11th Hour
Ghost of a Chance
Olympia WA
Something in the World Today
Fall Back Down
Time Bomb
Ruby Soho