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California Tour
California Tour
California Tour
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California Tour
Tour by Blink-182
Promotional poster for the first US leg of the tour
Location
  • Europe
  • North America
Associated albumCalifornia
Start dateJuly 21, 2016 (2016-07-21)
End dateSeptember 22, 2017 (2017-09-22)
Legs2
No. of shows119
Supporting acts
Box office$28.9 million
Blink-182 concert chronology

The California Tour was a headlining concert tour by American rock band Blink-182 in support of the group's seventh studio album, California (2016). The tour began on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California and ended on September 22, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to the tour, the group embarked on the We Are Pirates Tour, performing at several festivals and amphitheaters between May and July 2016. Support acts on the initial, first leg of the California tour included A Day to Remember, and the All-American Rejects and All Time Low on certain dates. A second European tour in mid-2017 included guests Frank Turner, the Front Bottoms, and SWMRS.

The California Tour grossed more than $28.9 million from its first 58 shows with a total attendance of 745,395.[1]

Background

[edit]

After touring and releasing the band's sixth album Neighborhoods (2011), it became difficult for Blink-182 to record new material, due to guitarist Tom DeLonge's various projects.[2] After disagreements, the remaining members of the group—vocalist/bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker—sought separation from DeLonge and recruited guitarist Matt Skiba, best known as the frontman of rock band Alkaline Trio, in his place. Blink-182 performed two club shows and a slot at the Musink Tattoo Convention & Music Festival in March 2015 with Skiba "filling in" for DeLonge.[3] Afterwards, they regrouped and recorded the album California with producer John Feldmann.[4]

Following the band's first performances with Skiba in 2015, Barker alluded to a potential tour with A Day to Remember, who supported the band on its three initial shows with Skiba in 2015.[5] The tour was first announced on April 28, 2016 on Los Angeles radio station KROQ's Kevin and Bean.[6] After the North American leg was completed, the group played some small shows in Europe, before returning to the States for festival dates in December. Following one-off shows and appearances in early 2017, the band will again tour the U.S. with support acts the Naked and Famous and Wavves.[7] A large European tour commenced in mid-2017.[8]

Reception

[edit]

Shows on the California tour were received positively. The Houston Chronicle's Joey Guerra considered it "one of the tightest shows this season."[9] Dave Simpson of The Guardian called it a "slick, professional rock show complete with ticker tape, pyrotechnics and lots of hits."[10]

Many reviewers contrasted Skiba with DeLonge; "Skiba barely says a word," noted The Guardian.[10] David Greenwald from the Oregonian felt the show was missing DeLonge's "wonderfully whiny voice [and] the easy camaraderie he and Hoppus once shared."[11] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Scott Mervis wrote that "there was clearly something missing from the Blink experience. Every major band has its thing, and Blink's is being the whiny pop-punk trio with the obnoxious, profane interplay."[12] "The new Blink feels like a whole new band altogether – not definitively better, not definitively worse, but definitively not the same," wrote Jay Cridlin of the Tampa Bay Times.[13] A couple reviewers considered Skiba an improvement. Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sun wrote that "the live show was noticeably improved with Skiba's soothing voice and raging effort."[14]

Many praised Barker's drumming ability; "a truly dizzying drummer and an otherwise silent enigma," Greenwald wrote,[11] while Simpson dubbed him "the glue holding everything together [...] a joy to watch."[10] Among the more negative reviews came from Kevin Williams at the Chicago Tribune, who reviewed the band's Lollapalooza set. Williams commented that "This by-the-numbers set can make an eloquent argument that old punkers should just fade away ... [they] feel like a tribute band."[15]

Set list

[edit]

Main set

  1. "Feeling This"
  2. "What's My Age Again?"
  3. "Family Reunion"
  4. "The Rock Show"
  5. "Cynical"
  6. "First Date"
  7. "Down"
  8. "I Miss You"
  9. "Bored to Death"
  10. "Built This Pool"
  11. "Wishing Well" (August 9)
  12. "Dumpweed"
  13. "Don't Leave Me" (September 10 and September 17; with Kevin Skaff of A Day to Remember)
  14. "Always" (July 21)
    "Reckless Abandon" (July 22–July 26 and August 3–August 20)
    "Up All Night" (July 28 and July 29)
    "Man Overboard" (July 30–August 2)
    "San Diego" (August 21)
    "Stay Together for the Kids" (August 23–October 1)
  15. "Stay Together for the Kids" (July 21–August 20)
    "Reckless Abandon" (August 21–October 1)
  16. "No Future" (July 21–July 24, August 2, and August 8)
    "The Only Thing That Matters" (July 26–July 31, August 3, August 5, August 10, August 13, and August 14)
    "San Diego" (August 6, August 9, August 12, August 14–August 20, August 23–September 28, and October 1)
    "Stay Together for the Kids" (August 21)
    "She's Out of Her Mind" (September 29–30, and 2017 Tour)
  17. "Man Overboard" (July 21–July 28, September 24–September 29, and October 1)
    "Not Now" (July 29–September 22 and September 30)
  18. "Violence"
  19. "Dysentery Gary" (July 21–July 23 and July 26–August 10)
    "Wendy Clear" (July 24)
    "Kings of the Weekend" (August 12–August 27 and September 4–October 1)
    "Don't Leave Me" (August 28)
    "Josie" (August 30)
    "Man Overboard" (August 31)
    "M+M's" (September 2 and September 3)
    "Sober" (2017 only)
  20. "Happy Holidays, You Bastard" (July 21–August 2, August 5–August 9, September 8–September 13, and September 17–October 1)
    "Man Overboard" (August 10)
    "Dysentery Gary" (August 12–September 4, September 15, and September 16)
  21. "Kings of the Weekend" (July 21–August 6)
    "M+M's" (August 8)
    "Happy Holidays, You Bastard" (August 10–September 4, September 15, and September 16)
    "Dysentery Gary" (September 8–September 13 and September 17–October 1)
  22. "Carousel" (July 21–August 13)
    "Los Angeles" (August 14–October 1)

Encore

  1. "Los Angeles" (July 21–August 13)
    "Carousel" (August 14–October 1)
  2. "All the Small Things"
  3. "Brohemian Rhapsody"
  4. "Dammit"

Notes

  • "Blow Job" was performed after "Built This Pool" on July 31 and August 3, after "The Only Thing That Matters" on July 29, and after "Los Angeles" on August 5, August 6, and August 10. Performances of the song included the band swapping instruments (Mark Hoppus on lead guitar and vocals, Matt Skiba on drums, and Travis Barker on bass guitar).
  • On August 2 after the band played "Los Angeles", Killer Mike was invited to perform a freestyle rap with the band on stage.
  • On August 6 and August 8, Mark Hoppus performed a drum solo after "Dammit" to close the show.
  • On September 2 in Hartford and September 4 in Saratoga Springs, Travis Barker's son Landon performed a drum solo after "Dammit" to close the show.
  • On September 20 in Ridgefield, John Feldmann joined the band to sing "Brohemian Rhapsody".
  • On September 29 in Irvine, Steve Aoki played a short DJ set with Travis Barker to open the encore before "Carousel". The duo performed a mashup of Aoki's remix of "Bored to Death", Aoki's song "Delirious (Boneless)", and Kid Cudi's song "Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)".

Tour dates

[edit]
List of 2016 concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, supporting acts, attendance, and gross revenue[6][7]
Date City Country Venue Support Attendance Revenue[16]
July 21, 2016 San Diego United States Viejas Arena A Day to Remember
The All-American Rejects
DJ Spider 		16,604 / 17,864 $1,007,164
July 22, 2016
July 23, 2016 Las Vegas The Joint 8,746 / 8,746 $685,380
July 24, 2016
July 26, 2016 El Paso Don Haskins Center N/a N/a
July 28, 2016 Oklahoma City Chesapeake Energy Arena
July 29, 2016 Dallas Gexa Energy Pavilion
July 30, 2016 San Antonio AT&T Center
July 31, 2016 The Woodlands Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 2, 2016 Atlanta Lakewood Amphitheatre
August 3, 2016 Greenville Bon Secours Wellness Arena
August 5, 2016 West Palm Beach Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre
August 6, 2016 Tampa MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 8, 2016 Nashville Ascend Amphitheater
August 9, 2016 Cuyahoga Falls Blossom Music Center
August 10, 2016 Cincinnati Riverbend Music Center
August 12, 2016 Camden BB&T Pavilion A Day to Remember,
All Time Low,
DJ Spider
August 13, 2016 Wantagh Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
August 14, 2016 Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center
August 16, 2016 Virginia Beach Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
August 17, 2016 Brooklyn Barclays Center
August 19, 2016 Mansfield XFINITY Center
August 20, 2016 Montreal Canada Bell Centre 7,435 / 8,645 $393,525
August 21, 2016 Toronto Molson Canadian Amphitheatre N/a N/a
August 23, 2016 Syracuse United States Lakeview Amphitheater
August 24, 2016 Darien Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
August 25, 2016 Scranton The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
August 27, 2016 Hershey Star Pavilion
August 28, 2016 Burrgettstown First Niagara Pavilion
August 30, 2016 Clarkston DTE Energy Music Theatre
August 31, 2016 Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena 9,492 / 10,201 $538,927
September 2, 2016 Hartford Xfinity Theatre N/a N/a
September 3, 2016 Bangor Darling's Waterfront Pavilion
September 4, 2016 Saratoga Springs Saratoga Performing Arts Center
September 8, 2016 Saint Paul Xcel Energy Center A Day to Remember
The All-American Rejects
DJ Spider
September 9, 2016 Tinley Park Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
September 10, 2016 Noblesville Klipsch Music Center
September 11, 2016 Maryland Heights Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
September 13, 2016 Denver Pepsi Center
September 15, 2016 Boise Taco Bell Arena
September 16, 2016 Spokane Spokane Arena
September 17, 2016 Seattle KeyArena 12,987 / 13,376 $606,445
September 18, 2016 Vancouver Canada Abbotsford Centre N/a N/a
September 20, 2016 Ridgefield United States Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
September 22, 2016 West Valley City USANA Amphitheatre A Day to Remember
All Time Low
DJ Spider 		18,949 / 20,000 $429,280
September 24, 2016 Phoenix Ak-Chin Pavilion 18,135 / 19,346 $600,794
September 25, 2016 Albuquerque Isleta Amphitheater N/a N/a
September 28, 2016 Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheater
September 29, 2016 Irvine Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
September 30, 2016 Inglewood The Forum 26,058 / 26,058 $1,409,804
October 1, 2016
October 5, 2016 Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Bowl N/a N/a
October 6, 2016 Fresno Save Mart Center 9,339 / 10,562 $465,640
October 7, 2016 Irvine Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre N/a N/a
November 7, 2016[a] London England One Golden Square N/a N/a N/a
November 7, 2016[b]
November 8, 2016[c] Paris France Studio 104
November 9, 2016[d] Ouï FM Studios
November 10, 2016 Stockholm Sweden Bandit Radio
November 11, 2016 Bryggarsalen
December 8, 2016[e] Las Vegas United States Pearl Theatre N/a N/a N/a
December 9, 2016[f] Oakland Oracle Arena
December 10, 2016[g] San Diego Valley View Casino Center
December 11, 2016[h] Inglewood The Forum
List of 2017 concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, supporting acts, attendance, and gross revenue[7][8][21]
Date City Country Venue Support Attendance Revenue
January 4, 2017[i] Las Vegas United States Palms Casino Resort N/a N/a N/a
January 5, 2017 Brooklyn Bowl
January 10, 2017[j] Hollywood Hollywood Masonic Temple
January 30, 2017[k] Los Angeles Staples Center
February 4, 2017[l] Phoenix Coors Light Birds Nest
March 22, 2017 Austin Austin360 Amphitheater The Naked and Famous — —
March 23, 2017[m] Houston NRG Stadium 65,011 / 71,795[9] N/a
March 25, 2017 Las Cruces Pan American Center — —
March 26, 2017[n] Tucson Kino Stadium N/a N/a
March 28, 2017 Lubbock Lonestar Amphitheater — —
March 30, 2017 Independence Silverstein Eye Centers Arena — —
March 31, 2017 North Little Rock Verizon Arena — —
April 1, 2017[o] Frisco Toyota Stadium N/a N/a N/a
April 2, 2017 Phoenix Margaret T. Hance Park N/a N/a
April 19, 2017 Flagstaff Northern Arizona University The Naked and Famous
Wavves 		N/a N/a
April 21, 2017 Amarillo Aztec Music Hall — —
April 22, 2017 Rogers Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion — —
April 23, 2017 Springfield Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque — —
April 25, 2017 Pelham Oak Mountain Amphitheatre — —
April 26, 2017 North Charleston North Charleston Coliseum — —
May 2, 2017 Pensacola Pensacola Bay Center — —
May 3, 2017 Tallahassee The Pavilion — —
May 4, 2017 Orlando Orlando Fairgrounds — —
May 7, 2017[p] West Palm Beach West Palm Beach Arts and Entertainment District Wavves N/a N/a
May 9, 2017 New Orleans UNO Lakefront Arena The Naked and Famous
Wavves 		3,593 / 5,400 $195,739
June 9, 2017[q] Paris France Hippodrome de Longchamp — — —
June 12, 2017 Frankfurt Germany Festhalle A Day to Remember — —
June 13, 2017 Oberhausen König Pilsener Arena — —
June 15, 2017[r] Nickelsdorf Austria Pannonia Fields — — —
June 16, 2017 Munich Germany Olympiahalle A Day to Remember — —
June 17, 2017[s] Monza Italy Autodromo Nazionale Monza — — —
June 24, 2017[t] Scheeßel Germany Eichenring — — —
June 25, 2017[u] Neuhausen ob Eck Neuhausen ob Eck Airfield — — —
June 26, 2017 Rotterdam Netherlands Rotterdam Ahoy A Day to Remember
SWMRS 		— —
June 29, 2017 Berlin Germany Max-Schmeling-Halle — —
July 1, 2017[v] Werchter Belgium 3118 Werchter — — —
July 3, 2017 Cardiff Wales Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls[35]
The Front Bottoms 		— —
July 4, 2017 Nottingham England Motorpoint Arena Nottingham — —
July 5, 2017 Leeds First Direct Arena — —
July 7, 2017 Birmingham Barclaycard Arena — —
July 9, 2017 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena — —
July 11, 2017 Glasgow Scotland SSE Hydro — —
July 12, 2017 Aberdeen GE Oil & Gas Arena — —
July 14, 2017[w] Manchester England Castlefield Bowl — —
July 15, 2017 Liverpool Echo Arena — —
July 19, 2017 London The O2 Arena — —
July 20, 2017 — —
July 31, 2017 Lewiston United States Artpark PVRIS N/a N/a
August 1, 2017 Columbus Express Live! Four Year Strong
August 3, 2017[x] Chicago Grant Park N/a
Metro
August 9, 2017 Prior Lake Mystic Amphitheater at Mystic Lake Casino
August 10, 2017[y] Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground
August 24, 2017[z] Sacramento Papa Murphy's Park
September 16, 2017[aa] Atlanta Piedmont Park
September 19, 2017 Tulsa Brady Theater
September 22, 2017[ab] Las Vegas Downtown Las Vegas
Total — —

Canceled dates

[edit]
List of canceled concerts, showing date, city, country, venue and reason for cancellation
Date City Country Venue Reason
September 5, 2016 Atlantic City United States Atlantic City Beach Hurricane Hermine[41]
April 28, 2017[ac] Exuma The Bahamas N/a Quality management[43]
June 21, 2017 Stockholm Sweden Gröna Lund Limited traveling ability[45]
June 22, 2017[ad] Halden Norway Fredriksten
June 28, 2017[ae] Roskilde Denmark Darupvej 19 DK-4000
July 17, 2017 Bournemouth England Bournemouth International Centre Illness[48]
July 28, 2017 New York City United States Citi Field Death of Chester Bennington[49]
July 30, 2017 Hershey Hersheypark Stadium
September 13, 2017 Knoxville Knoxville Civic Coliseum N/A
September 14, 2017 New Braunfels Whitewater Amphitheater N/A[50]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

California Tour

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The , officially known as the Amgen Tour of California since its inception, was an annual professional stage race held in the U.S. state of from 2006 to 2019. It began as a UCI 2.1 event with a in and evolved into one of North America's premier competitions, achieving UCI WorldTour status for the men's race in 2017 and featuring a separate women's edition starting in 2016. The race typically spanned seven to eight stages over a week, primarily in May after 2010 to accommodate better weather and attract top international talent, showcasing California's diverse terrain from coastal routes and the to challenging mountain climbs like Mount Baldy and the Sierra Nevada. Notable overall winners included , who secured three victories (2007, 2008, 2009), alongside (2011), (2013, 2014), (2015), (2018), and (2019), while the women's race was won by riders such as Katie Hall in 2018; stage wins were dominated by sprinters like Sagan with 17 triumphs. The event drew over two million spectators annually, generated significant economic impact through promotion, and elevated U.S. by providing high-level exposure for domestic teams and riders, though it faced challenges from weather disruptions, such as snow in 2011 and 2015. Organized by (AEG), the race was placed on indefinite hiatus after the 2019 edition due to escalating organizational and financial difficulties, with no confirmed return as of 2025.

Background and Development

Album Context

The seventh studio album by Blink-182, , was released on July 1, 2016, through BMG, marking the band's first full-length project without founding guitarist and their only release on the label. The album emerged following DeLonge's departure in early 2015, which prompted a lineup adjustment with Alkaline Trio's stepping in as guitarist and vocalist. Recorded primarily at Foxy Studios in , , the project represented a deliberate pivot back toward the band's early sound after the more introspective tone of their 2011 album Neighborhoods. Produced by , known for his work with acts like and , California emphasized polished, energetic arrangements with layered vocals, driving rhythms, and hooks designed for radio play, shifting away from the rawer production of prior efforts. Feldmann co-wrote much of the material, contributing to a brighter, more youthful aesthetic that echoed Blink-182's late-1990s breakthrough era. The lead single, "Bored to Death," released on April 27, 2016, exemplified this evolution with its anthemic chorus and themes of existential boredom, serving as a cornerstone for the album's promotional rollout and directly tying into the tour's setlist emphasis on new material. Leading into the album's launch, Blink-182 undertook the from May to July 2016, a series of North American and amphitheater shows that acted as a warm-up, featuring support from bands like and . This outing built anticipation ahead of the full California Tour announcement on April 28, 2016, which highlighted the album's arrival and scheduled the band's subsequent headline dates starting later that summer. Thematically, California drew inspiration from the band's Southern California origins, exploring motifs of nostalgia, regret, and youthful rebellion amid personal turmoil, which underscored their post-hiatus resurgence after a period of internal strife and separation. Songs like the title track evoked homesickness and the passage of time, reflecting the group's return to collaborative creativity and live performance roots following years of uncertainty. This conceptual foundation not only revitalized their sound but also framed the ensuing tour as a celebration of reinvention and enduring fan connection.

Lineup Changes

In January 2015, founding member departed Blink-182 to focus on his entrepreneurial side projects, including his UFO research initiative To The Stars Academy of Arts and Science. This exit created a vacancy in the band's guitar and vocal roles, prompting and to seek a replacement to continue their musical commitments. On April 28, 2016, during an interview on KROQ radio, Blink-182 announced that of would join as a temporary replacement for DeLonge, debuting the lead single "" from their forthcoming album . The core lineup for the tour consisted of Hoppus on bass and vocals, Barker on drums, and Skiba on guitar and vocals, with no additional personnel changes. Skiba's integration into the band dynamic occurred through intensive rehearsals, where he learned approximately 27 Blink-182 songs over two months, forging a strong creative connection with Hoppus and Barker. This process allowed Skiba to adapt to the band's live set by performing in his own style rather than imitating DeLonge, contributing to a refreshed collaborative energy during recording sessions that emphasized unified, high-intensity workdays. Following the radio announcement, the band issued official confirmations through posts and press statements, solidifying Skiba's role for the album and supporting tour.

Tour Overview

Itinerary and Legs

The Tour was structured around multiple legs, beginning with an extensive North American run in the summer of 2016, followed by additional North American dates in fall 2016 and spring 2017, a European phase in summer 2017, and a concluding North American segment in fall 2017. This itinerary emphasized the band's return to headlining large-scale venues after the July 2016 release of their album , showcasing their renewed lineup and energy across major markets. The tour's design allowed for a mix of arena spectacles and outdoor amphitheater performances, drawing crowds to both intimate settings and high-capacity halls. The first leg kicked off on July 21, 2016, at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California, with the band delivering a high-energy set that introduced tracks from California alongside classic hits. Spanning July to September 2016, this North American portion included over 50 shows in arenas and amphitheaters across the United States and Canada, such as KeyArena in Seattle and Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Venues like these highlighted the tour's focus on mid-sized to large outdoor and indoor spaces, fostering an atmosphere suited to the band's pyrotechnic-laden productions and crowd interaction. Prior to this leg, Blink-182 completed a warm-up series called the We Are Pirates Tour from May to early July 2016, testing new material in festival and amphitheater formats across North America. After the initial North American leg, the tour continued with fall 2016 dates in , followed by a spring 2017 North American run from March to May. The European leg then took place from June through September 2017, featuring standout appearances at festivals, including headlining slots at Reading and in August 2017, where the band performed to massive crowds amid a diverse lineup of rock acts. European routing covered arenas in cities like and , with support from acts such as , extending the tour's reach while maintaining the headlining format established in the album's promotional cycle. The tour wrapped with a North American finale on September 24, 2017, at the City of Trees festival in , capping a year-long journey that totaled 106 shows in and . This comprehensive schedule underscored Blink-182's enduring appeal as headliners, blending new material from California with fan-favorite anthems to sustain momentum post-reunion and lineup evolution.

Support Acts

The California Tour employed a rotating lineup of support acts to energize audiences and align with Blink-182's aesthetic across its various legs. These performers were chosen for their shared roots in and , creating cohesive bills that amplified the tour's nostalgic and high-octane vibe. On the initial North American leg in summer 2016, served as the primary opener for all dates, bringing their blend of and to set a dynamic tone before Blink-182 took the stage. The and joined as additional openers on select shows, adding melodic hooks and fan-favorite anthems to the package. For the 2017 European dates, support varied by region, with acts like and the Sleeping Souls handling arena shows, while provided additional opening sets. On select stops, such as in , contributed their garage-punk energy. The tour's second North American run in 2017 featured rotating openers including on specific dates, such as the July 31 show at Artpark Amphitheater in , where their alternative rock sound bridged to Blink-182's set. Smaller venues and festival appearances throughout the tour incorporated emerging groups like , , and , fostering a sense of community among up-and-coming acts in the genre. Occasional joint performances with openers during encores, such as shared stage moments at dates, heightened the collaborative spirit and allowed for spontaneous interactions that thrilled crowds.

Set List and Performances

Typical Set List

The Tour's typical set list balanced high-energy staples with selections from the band's 2016 self-titled album California, delivering a 90-minute of approximately 20-22 songs that energized audiences through a mix of fast-paced anthems and crowd-pleasers. The show consistently opened with "" from the 2003 album Blink-182, immediately thrusting the band into their signature chaotic stage presence, often followed by classic tracks like "" and "What's My Age Again?" to build momentum. This opener choice, performed 104 times across the tour, highlighted the band's evolution while honoring their roots. Transitioning seamlessly, the set incorporated new material such as "Bored to Death," "Cynical," "Down," "Built This Pool," "Los Angeles," and "Violence," which together comprised roughly 40% of the playlist and showcased the album's polished production and thematic focus on adulthood and nostalgia. The remaining 60% drew from the back catalog, featuring core hits including "All the Small Things," "I Miss You," "First Date," "Dumpweed," and "Dammit," each performed over 100 times to elicit massive sing-alongs and mosh pits. A humorous highlight was the band's rendition of "Brohemian Rhapsody," a punk-infused cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" played 104 times, often positioned mid-set to break the intensity with comedic flair. Acoustic segments, such as stripped-down versions of "I Miss You," and occasional fan requests were integrated around the halfway mark, adding intimacy to the otherwise raucous show without disrupting the flow. The main set typically closed with "Los Angeles" or "California," emphasizing the tour's thematic ties to the band's home state, before an encore capped by "All the Small Things" and "Dammit" to send fans off on a euphoric high. This structure, refined over the tour's 106 dates, ensured a reliable yet dynamic experience, with minor rotations of deeper cuts like "Dysentery Gary" or "Reckless Abandon" in about 90% of shows.

Notable Variations

During the California Tour, Blink-182 frequently incorporated variations into their setlists to adapt to specific venues, themes, or audience energy, often drawing from their deeper catalog or external influences. Songs like and appeared selectively, evoking a sense of nostalgia at shows with reunion undertones amid the band's evolving lineup with . a track from their 1997 album Dude Ranch, was performed at 27 of the tour's 106 dates, including the opening leg in late July 2016 at venues like in and select September shows such as the September 24 performance at the California Exposition & in Sacramento. Similarly, from the 2001 album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket was included in 57 performances, notably the September 29, 2016, concert at , where it added an emotional layer to the punk-pop proceedings. Festival adaptations often required shortened sets, prompting creative tweaks like added covers to fit time constraints while maintaining high impact. At events such as the March Madness Music Festival on April 2, 2017, in Phoenix, and KEGL Edgefest on April 1, 2017, in , the band condensed their performance but incorporated punk staples and high-energy transitions. Although Blink-182 did not perform at in 2017, similar adjustments occurred at comparable U.S. festivals. These sets emphasized brevity and aggression, occasionally featuring elements inspired by contemporaries in the punk genre. Rare debuts of deep cuts further distinguished intimate or themed venues, offering fans unexpected treats from the band's early material. "Carousel," the opening track from their 1995 debut Cheshire Cat, received 63 airings, primarily as an opener in smaller-scale settings from August to October 2016. Played mainly early in the tour, these inclusions celebrated the band's origins without overshadowing the core repertoire focused on the California album.

Reception

Critical Response

Professional reviews of Blink-182's California Tour highlighted the band's revitalized energy and tight musical execution following the lineup change, with particular acclaim for drummer Travis Barker's commanding presence and the tour's sophisticated stage production. In a review of the October 1, 2016, show at The Forum in Los Angeles, ALTCORNER praised Barker's phenomenal drumming, noting that "his energy is felt in every drum hit," while describing the production as amazing, featuring huge speakers, dynamic LED screens with song-specific visuals like Los Angeles cityscapes, and an impressive light show that enhanced the pop-punk spectacle. Similarly, a Pittsburgh performance review in AVO News lauded Barker's fireworks-accompanied drum solo during the opener "Feeling This," calling it part of the band's best live sound in a decade, with pyrotechnics and dramatic stage reveals contributing to the high-energy atmosphere. Critics offered mixed assessments of Matt Skiba's vocal integration as Blink-182's new co-frontman replacing , acknowledging his solid delivery but noting it lacked some of the original's distinctive edge. The AVO News review commended Skiba for doing a "fantastic job" filling the role permanently, blending seamlessly with on shared vocals during a balanced set of classics and new material. However, his style brought a more mature tone to the irreverent sound. Overall, the tour earned strong praise, emphasizing exceptional crowd engagement and the immersive light show that kept audiences and singing along. The Forest Hills Northern student newspaper's account of the Grand Rapids stop described a diverse, enthusiastic crowd fully immersed in hits like "What's My Age Again?" amid stunning graphics and , underscoring the band's enduring appeal. That said, some critiques pointed to the setlists' heavy emphasis on tracks from the California album, which occasionally alienated longtime fans craving more early-era staples; for instance, while AVO hailed the "perfect mix," it acknowledged initial mixed crowd feelings before the energy won them over.

Fan Reaction

Fans expressed enthusiasm for the high-energy performances during the California Tour, with crowds engaging in sing-alongs, circle pits, and crowd-surfing throughout shows. Reviews highlighted Matt Skiba's enthusiastic stage presence and vocal contributions, which added a fresh dimension to classics like and helped integrate new material from the album into the setlists. The fanbase showed divisions over the lineup change, with some purists questioning whether the band retained its identity without , though Skiba's style was noted as suiting the material well without imitation. Despite these debates, strong support emerged for the new songs, which were well-received alongside hits at full-capacity venues, including massive cheers for tracks like "" and "I Miss You."

Commercial Performance

Attendance and Revenue

The California Tour by Blink-182 grossed $28.9 million across its first 56 reported shows (out of 58 total), as documented in Pollstar's 2016 Year-End Top 100 Worldwide Tours . This figure reflects an average gross of approximately $516,000 per show, calculated by dividing the total revenue by the number of reported performances ($28,900,000 ÷ 56 ≈ $516,071). The tour's financial performance underscored its strong draw in the rock genre during that period. Attendance for these shows totaled 745,395 fans, with an average of 13,311 tickets sold per performance. Crowds reached their highest levels at major arenas boasting capacities over 15,000, including venues like the in , which hosted a show drawing 7,435 attendees. The North American leg accounted for roughly 70% of the tour's overall revenue, supported by 515,683 tickets sold in that region alone. This segment's dominance highlights the band's enduring popularity in their home market, where average ticket prices reached $38.74.

Box Office Impact

The California Tour provided a substantial boost to sales of Blink-182's seventh studio , California, which debuted at No. 1 on the chart in the week ending July 7, 2016 (chart dated July 16, 2016), shortly after the tour's launch, with 186,000 equivalent album units including 172,000 in pure sales. By the end of 2016, the album had sold 408,000 units in the United States, marking it as the ninth best-selling rock album of the year and underscoring the tour's role in sustaining commercial momentum during the band's post-hiatus phase. This success highlighted the synergy between live performances and album promotion, as the tour's high-energy shows drew in both longtime fans and a younger audience discovering the band's catalog. The tour played a pivotal role in revitalizing Blink-182's career trajectory after a four-year hiatus following their 2011 album Neighborhoods, reestablishing the group—now featuring on guitar and vocals in place of —as a relevant force in . By showcasing a blend of new material from California alongside classic hits, the performances reignited fan engagement and critical interest, directly leading to further projects such as the 2019 album Nine and its accompanying world tour, which extended the band's momentum into the late . In addition to bolstering the band's profile, the California Tour contributed to a broader revival of the genre in , a year noted for renewed interest in the style through high-profile releases and tours by acts like Blink-182 and the . The tour's emphasis on catchy, irreverent anthems helped drive increased streaming of Blink-182's back catalog, aligning with a surge in genre-wide consumption that introduced pop-punk to new listeners via platforms like . Financially, the tour outperformed prior efforts, generating a reported $29.7 million in box office gross during 2016 alone, surpassing the $21.2 million earned from the band's 2009 reunion tour across 48 reported shows. This higher revenue reflected stronger per-show averages, driven by expanded venue capacities and strategies that capitalized on the band's renewed popularity.

Cancellations and Incidents

The Blink-182 California Tour encountered a major disruption from Tropical Storm Hermine, which led to the postponement and subsequent cancellation of the band's scheduled performance at the Atlantic City Beach on September 5, 2016. City officials, in consultation with weather authorities and event producers, cited the storm's potential for high winds and unsafe conditions as the primary reasons, prioritizing the safety of attendees, performers, and crew. Although initially postponed until further notice, the show was not rescheduled as part of the tour's East Coast leg, which continued with subsequent dates. The cancellation had limited financial repercussions for the tour organizers, as ticket refunds were promptly issued at points of purchase, and event insurance covered associated costs, though it disrupted the momentum of the East Coast itinerary by removing a key weekend appearance. Blink-182's team echoed the emphasis on welfare through updates, aligning with the city's statements to reassure fans about the decision's focus on safety amid the approaching hurricane. Beyond the Hermine event, the tour experienced several minor weather-related delays during outdoor festival appearances, including rain-shortened sets that adjusted performance lengths but did not result in full cancellations. These incidents highlighted the challenges of scheduling large-scale rock tours in variable coastal and festival environments.

Health and Festival Issues

The California Tour encountered several disruptions due to health-related issues affecting band members and logistical failures at associated events. One prominent incident was the cancellation of the band's scheduled headline performance at the in , , on April 28, 2017. Blink-182 withdrew the day prior, citing concerns over inadequate production resources that would prevent delivering their standard show quality. The festival itself collapsed amid widespread reports of organizational chaos, including substandard accommodations and provisions, leading to its abrupt postponement and subsequent fraud charges against organizer for misleading investors and attendees. This event, intended as a one-off extension of the tour, highlighted broader mismanagement risks in festival planning. Health challenges within the band also prompted specific postponements. In July 2017, the show at in on July 17 was canceled on medical advice due to a viral infection affecting bassist and vocalist , who was placed on total vocal rest. later shared updates on his recovery via , emphasizing the severity of the illness. The tour faced further interruptions following the suicide of Linkin Park frontman on July 20, 2017, a close friend of . Blink-182 canceled their co-headlining "Welcome to Blinkin' Park" stadium dates with , including July 28 at in and July 30 at in , issuing a statement expressing devastation over the loss and solidarity with Bennington's family and bandmates. In response, Blink-182 participated in the October 27, 2017, tribute concert "Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of " at in , performing alongside other artists to honor his legacy. The band has since linked this tragedy to broader advocacy, with drummer discussing mental health and addiction in interviews, underscoring the need for support systems in the music community. Several additional tour dates were canceled during the 2017 legs for various reasons, including health issues affecting band members. These incidents underscored the human vulnerabilities in extensive touring schedules.

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