I’ve been going to Reading since I was 10. It’s a lame, pretentious
fact that I like to wheel out every year when the line-up is announced in order
to say FUCK YOU MY OPINION MATTERS MORE THAN YOURS I HATE KASABIAN WHY AREN’T
METALLICA HEADLINING?!
I’ve never understood people that don’t like Blink 182. When
they first came out they provided the perfect modern day Descendents vibe, and
when they graduated to creating one of the most universally loved pop-punk
records of all time Enema of the State
everyone was smitten and everyone applauded it.
So what’s changed? The follow up album was just as hit
ridden, catchy and memorable; I’d defy any teenager not to like it, regardless
of your cultural preferences and catchments. 2003’s grown up self-titled record
was critically acclaimed and, I recall, passed around the P.E. changing room
more frequently than shower gel or Lance Wilkins’ glasses.
Since the band’s first hiatus in 2005, people (and by people
I mean faceless wisecrackers on the internet) seemed to develop a hostility and
unwillingness to enjoy Blink, a pattern recently repeated (more justifiably) towards
Green Day. Why did this happen? Maybe people didn’t like, or rather get Tom
Delonge’s desire to indulge his space-porn passion in Angels and Airwaves,
failing to understand that he was doing what he wanted, because he could. Mark
Hoppus’ +44 fared better, in as much as nobody gave enough of a shit to moan
about it, while Travis Barker escaped any critical cynicism purely through
passing between punk and hip-hop royalty, barely staying still long enough to
get a tattoo finished.
Maybe this brief Blink One-Eighty-Tutoridge goes some way to
explain the relative disbelief, subversive mocking and all round “ugh”ing that
has greeted the announcement that the trio will be headlining Reading &
Leeds 2014. The 2011 comeback record Neighbourhoods
would be appreciated if people actually gave the time and shits to listen
to it. I have, I love it. It’s a perfect blend of pop-punk noises and older but
bolder themes that sound like all three members are fully comfortable with. If
you want 40+ blokes talking about sodermising dogs join a rugby team, or see if
Ian Watkins has a zoophilic brother.
Seriously, I can’t think of many other bands I’d rather be
drunk at a festival seeing than Blink. You’ve only got to look at how singalong
smiley, sappy people get when “Small Things” comes on in a club to see that
anyone groaning “man the XX should headline” or “Mumford would provide a more
contemporary experience to the current dynamics and general feel of R&L”
are talking out of their NME wiping arses. I fully understand the argument that
Blink have headlined before, and mainstaged on several occasions, but as a
first announcement I’m more than happy for a solid, guaranteed fun headliner.
Hey, Jason Derulo’s never headlined before. Plus how often do the risks pay off
at festivals? Guns & Roses big return went well, The Strokes looked like
they gave a shit, Red Hot Chilli’s weren’t self-indulgent, Travis above Green Day works and Razorlight TOTALLLLY deserved that spot.
If you don’t wanna see Blink, don’t. Chances are La Roux’s
comeback album will secure another headline spot on the Radio 1 tent...
