Having to replace an iconic frontman didn’t exactly hinder Pink Floyd, Genesis or AC/DC, who enjoyed even greater success after the departures of Syd Barrett and Peter Gabriel and the death of Bon Scott, respectively. However, for numerous bands, from the Doors to INXS, losing a lead singer proved terminal, so the skies darkened over pop-punk pioneers Blink-182 after Tom DeLonge’s awkward exit (ostensibly to research UFOs) in 2015. However, the remaining duo simply recruited Alkaline Trio frontman and guitarist Matt Skiba and carried on, releasing an acclaimed, chart-topping album (2016’s California) and packing out arenas like this one.
It’s notable that when bassist and co-singer Mark Hoppus introduces his new bandmate – “Check out the gentleman to your right” – the fans don’t exactly bellow Skiba’s name to the rafters. However, the muted applause doesn’t stop virtually the whole of the Echo Arena yelling along with him when he sings, and filling the vast space with repeated choruses of “Whoah whoah”s.
Hoppus is actually the only original remaining member of the band that started in 1992, but Blink-182 seem to be one of those lucky combos whose songs are more important than the personnel. There may be bald patches intermingled with the backwards baseball caps nowadays, but the crowd clearly still relate to high-tempo tunes about youthful concerns such as untidy bedrooms, bad dates and pesky moms.
And, with the band now in their 40s, this is a slightly more mature beast than the japester Blink-182 of old. They deliver a slick, professional rock show complete with ticker tape, pyrotechnics and lots of hits. The eight songs from California – especially the anthemic Los Angeles – and the funkier oldie I Miss You showcase a more reflective side. The dick and fart jokes are gone, which is probably just as well, although 1999’s Family Reunion ticks the juvenile box with a list of extremely rude words set to music. One of Hoppus’s rare attempts at humour – “They’ve gotta be good at singing, fuckin’ Oasis are from here” – falls flat in Liverpool.
Skiba barely says a word beyond “That was the best singalong”, but otherwise acquits his duties well enough. The glue holding everything together is tattooed drummer Travis Barker, who is a joy to watch. The master punk percussionist and plane crash survivor punches the air with his stick and, in an inspired moment of drummer lunacy, plays on faultlessly despite being surrounded by jets of steam and fire and with a black towel smothering his whole face.
•At Bournemouth International Centre, 17 July. Box office: 0844-576 3000. Then the o2 arena, London, 19 and 20 July. Box office: 0844-856 0202.
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