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Pop Disaster Tour
Continental tour by Blink-182 and Green Day
Promotional poster for the tour
LocationNorth America
Associated albums
Start dateApril 17, 2002
End dateJune 17, 2002
No. of shows47
Supporting acts
Green Day tour chronology
Life Without Warning Tour
(1999–2000) 		Pop Disaster Tour
(2002) 		American Idiot World Tour
(2004–05)
Blink-182 tour chronology
Take Off Your Pants and Jacket Tour
(2001) 		Pop Disaster Tour
(2002) 		DollaBill Tour
(2003)

The Pop Disaster Tour was a concert tour co-headlined by American rock bands Blink-182 and Green Day. It began in Bakersfield, California on April 17, 2002, and concluded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 17. Set largely at arenas and outdoor amphitheatres, it encompassed 47 shows across the United States and Canada.

The tour came at a moment of peak popularity for pop-punk in the early aughts, and paired together its biggest names for a single tour. Despite sharing roots in California's punk scene, Blink-182 and Green Day differed significantly in their influences and approach. Their rumored rivalry made headlines, and the tour was conceived partly as a way to push back against that perception. The tour is notable for the onstage competition that developed between the two groups. Though billed a co-headlining affair—with both bands receiving equal billing—Blink-182 closed each evening.

While the bands generally got along, Blink's attempt at humor fell flat with critics, who often preferred Green Day's superior set. The Pop Disaster Tour as a whole grossed nearly $20 million. Support acts included Jimmy Eat World, Simple Plan, Saves the Day, and Kut U Up. The behind-the-scenes antics of the bands and their crews were captured in the documentary Riding in Vans with Boys (2003).

Background

[edit]

The Pop Disaster Tour teamed up two of pop-punk’s biggest acts: Blink-182 and Green Day. Although both bands hailed from California and were part of its punk scene, their backgrounds were distinctly different. Green Day, nearly a decade older, were rooted in the Bay Area's politically influenced culture. Blink-182, by contrast, embraced SoCal irreverence and earned a reputation as a more radio-friendly act.[1] By the early 2000s, their respective fortunes had reversed—Green Day was in a commercial slump,[2] and were preparing to release their greatest hits compilation. Blink, on the other hand, were enjoying their most profitable period, with their most recent LP, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, becoming the first punk album to hit number one.[3] Given their age, Green Day had obtained a reputation as "elder statesmen" of the pop-punk scene.[4][5] These comparisons fueled a perceived rivalry in the press.[6]

To challenge that perception, Blink-182 proposed a joint tour. Modeled after the famous Monsters of Rock festivals, the concept was essentially a "Monsters of Punk" tour.[7] Early reports of the showdown were confirmed by spokespeople in January 2002,[8] and the bands formally announced the tour in a joint appearance on MTV's TRL the next month.[9] MTV sponsored the outing, alongside the newly released Xbox. Blink-182 were quick to offer praise for their forebears, acknowledging their impact: "They were a huge inspiration for us", Blink bassist Mark Hoppus said. Green Day, instead, frequently distanced themselves from their offspring. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong declined an idea to cover each other’s songs, telling Rolling Stone he didn’t see much common ground between the two bands.[10]

Support bands included Jimmy Eat World, riding the mainstream success of Bleed American (2001), alongside rising acts Simple Plan, Saves the Day and Kut U Up. Kut U Up became known for their wild backstage antics, which were captured in the 2003 film Riding in Vans with Boys. The film was conceived by the Blink duo of Hoppus and guitarist Tom DeLonge, who brought in Matt Beauchesne—also behind their The Urethra Chronicles II documentary—to direct. It was intended as "a social experiment" to document what happens when an ordinary band spends two months touring with two of rock's biggest bands.[11]

Controversy

[edit]
Green Day's Tré Cool, seen here on the tour in 2002, did not hide his disdain for sharing the stage.

While the mood behind the scenes was mostly jovial, the tour is infamous for the tensions it created between the two bands.[12][13][14] Although marketed as a co-headlining tour, Green Day effectively played the role of opener ("we closed every show for a reason", Hoppus said).[15] In his memoir, Fahrenheit-182, Hoppus suggests Green Day employed subtle tactics to assert dominance—such as a clause in their contract requiring them to perform only after sunset. Hoppus contends that Green Day would refuse to go on unless it was completely dark, and despite the delay, perform their full set. It put Blink in the position of having to shorten their setlist instead, due to curfew laws in some municipalities. Similarly, although pyrotechnics were initially planned just for Blink’s set,[15] Green Day ended up using them as well.[16] "I got the sense that Green Day fucking hated that they’d been reduced to opening for us", Hoppus said.[15][12]

The musicianship between the two bands was more marked side-by-side. In a press release, Hoppus had jokingly predicted these comparisons, saying Blink planned to use "a bunch of fire and cool lights to distract people from our poor musical performance".[10] However, the joke didn’t land with critics, who left unimpressed with Blink's headlining set. In a later interview, Green Day's Tré Cool acknowledged they had only committed to the tour as an opportunity to regain their status as a technically superior live act.[6][17] Green Day's producer, Rob Cavallo, played a key role in developing the plan, emphasizing that their strength lay in their live performances: "Basically the idea was to blow Blink-182 off the stage every night", he confirmed.[16] Cool claimed that "we heard they were going to quit the tour because they were getting smoked so badly [...] We didn't want them to quit the tour. They're good for filling up the seats up front."[17]

For the most part, however, the bands got along well. Hoppus fondly remembered Armstrong bringing his family along for the ride,[15] while Travis Barker held onto a bass gifted by Mike Dirnt—still displayed in his studio years later.[18] Hoppus would later concede in his memoir that Green Day delivered the stronger performances and that the challenge ultimately pushed Blink to improve.[19][20] Green Day went on to write their 2004 rock opera American Idiot, which revitalized their career and solidified their place in rock history.[2] The rivalry, however, has persisted: Blink-182 has repeatedly invited Green Day to tour together again, but each time, they refused to..[21]

Set list

[edit]

Tour dates

[edit]
List of 2002 concerts
Date City Country Venue
April 17, 2002 Bakersfield United States Centennial Garden
April 19, 2002 Phoenix America West Arena
April 20, 2002 Irvine Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
April 21, 2002
April 23, 2002 Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena
April 24, 2002 Inglewood The Forum
April 25, 2002 Chula Vista Coors Amphitheater
April 27, 2002 Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre
April 28, 2002 Sacramento AutoWest Amphitheater
April 29, 2002 Oakland Oakland Arena
May 1, 2002 Tacoma Tacoma Dome
May 3, 2002 West Valley City E Center
May 4, 2002 Greenwood Village Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre
May 6, 2002 Maryland Heights Riverport Amphitheater
May 7, 2002 Bonner Springs Sandstone Amphitheater
May 9, 2002 Dallas Smirnoff Music Center
May 10, 2002 Selma Verizon Wireless Amphiteheatre
May 11, 2002 The Woodlands Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
May 13, 2002 Pelham Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
May 14, 2002 Tampa Ice Palace
May 15, 2002 West Palm Beach Mars Music Amphitheatre
May 16, 2002 Orlando TD Waterhouse Centre
May 18, 2002 Atlanta HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
May 19, 2002 Raleigh Alltell Pavilion
May 20, 2002 Charlotte Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
May 22, 2002 Virginia Beach Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Virginia Beach
May 23, 2002 Hershey Hershey Park Pavilion
May 24, 2002 Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center
May 25, 2002 Burgettstown Post-Gazette Pavilion
May 27, 2002 Hartford New England Dodge Music Center
May 28, 2002 Camden Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
May 30, 2002 Wantagh Jones Beach Theater
May 31, 2002 New York City Madison Square Garden
June 1, 2002 Darien Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
June 2, 2002 Mansfield Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
June 4, 2002 Saratoga Springs Saratoga Performing Arts Center
June 5, 2002 Washington, D.C. MCI Center
June 7, 2002 Toronto Canada Molson Amphitheatre
June 8, 2002 Grand Rapids United States Van Andel Arena
June 9, 2002 Columbus Jerome Schottenstein Center
June 11, 2002 Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills
June 12, 2002 Cuyahoga Falls Blossom Music Center
June 14, 2002 Noblesville Verizon Wireless Music Center
June 15, 2002 Tinley Park Tweeter Center
June 16, 2002 Milwaukee Marcus Amphitheater
June 17, 2002 Minneapolis Target Center

Reception

[edit]

Many reviewers were unimpressed with Blink-182's headlining set following Green Day. "Sometimes playing last at a rock show is more a curse than a privilege […] Pity the headliner, for instance, that gets blown off the stage by the band before it. Blink-182 endured that indignity Saturday at the Shoreline Amphitheatre", a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle wrote in 2002.[22] "Blink came off as simply chaotic, tiring and convoluted noise [...] their trademark gross-out comedy on stage was surprisingly toned down throughout the performance – perhaps ashamed to seem juvenile following Green Day", wrote Tony Ding of The Michigan Daily.[23] In his book Nobody Likes You: Inside the Turbulent Life, Times and Music of Green Day, author Marc Spitz compared Blink-182 headlining a tour with Green Day to "Frank Sinatra, Jr. headlining over Frank Sinatra."[16]

The Pop Disaster Tour as a whole grossed nearly $20 million from 45 shows.[24] Pop Disaster was the first concert for many future pop-punk stars, including Spencer Smith from Panic! at the Disco,[25] and Jack Barakat of All Time Low, who remarked that it "changed [his] life forever".[26]

Personnel

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pop Disaster Tour

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Pop Disaster Tour was a co-headlining featuring American bands and Blink-182, which took place across from April 17 to June 17, 2002. Comprising 45 dates primarily at arenas and outdoor amphitheaters, the tour showcased the bands alternating as headliners each night, with supporting acts including for the first half and for the latter portion. The tour, announced in February 2002, drew massive crowds and highlighted the peak popularity of both bands during the early 2000s pop-punk era, following Green Day's Warning (2000) and Blink-182's Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001). It kicked off in Bakersfield, California, and concluded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, traversing major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, as well as select Canadian dates such as Toronto. Notable for its high-energy performances, the outing fostered a playful yet competitive rivalry between the groups, with Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong reportedly taunting Blink-182 onstage to up the ante, as later recalled by Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus. Overall, the Pop Disaster Tour solidified the cultural impact of in the mainstream, blending raucous sets of hits like 's "Basket Case" and Blink-182's "" to create memorable summer spectacles that influenced subsequent arena tours in the genre.

Overview

Background

The Pop Disaster Tour was conceived by Blink-182 as a punk rock equivalent to the multi-band tours of the 1980s and 1990s, aiming to create a collaborative showcase for pop-punk acts rather than fueling perceived rivalries between bands like themselves and . The idea emphasized unity among the scene's leading groups, drawing from the festival-style format of its heavy metal predecessor to build excitement through shared billing and high-energy performances. The tour was publicly announced on MTV's on February 13, 2002, in , with both bands appearing together to reveal the co-headlining plans. It featured 47 shows across the and , running from April 17 to June 17, 2002, beginning at Centennial Garden in , and concluding at the Target Center in , . Venues primarily consisted of arenas and outdoor amphitheaters to accommodate large crowds, reflecting the tour's ambition to reach pop-punk's growing fanbase in major markets. The tour played a key role in promoting Green Day's B-sides Shenanigans, released on July 2, , during the outing, while also sustaining momentum for Blink-182 following their 2001 release Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Billed as one of the spring's most anticipated pairings, it was projected to draw massive attendance, ultimately grossing nearly $20 million from 45 reported shows, underscoring its commercial viability from the outset.

Commercial Performance

The Pop Disaster Tour was a major financial success for Green Day and Blink-182, grossing nearly $20 million in ticket sales across 47 shows in arenas and amphitheaters throughout . This total underscored the expanding commercial viability of acts at the turn of the . Attendance figures reflected strong demand, with an average of approximately 12,500 fans per show and a cumulative total of 548,614 across 44 reported dates. High-attendance nights included sold-out performances at major venues like the Footprint Center in Phoenix (13,295 attendees on April 19, 2002) and the Irvine Amphitheatre (16,246 attendees on April 20, 2002), where gross revenues reached $938,516 for the latter. These metrics demonstrated the tour's ability to fill large-capacity spaces, a step up from the bands' earlier efforts that often relied on mid-sized theaters or festival slots. Compared to prior outings, the Pop Disaster Tour signified substantial growth in the market's draw. Green Day's 2000–2001 Warning Tour played to smaller crowds in clubs and theaters, while Blink-182's 2001 Tour, though popular, featured fewer dates and focused on promotional tie-ins rather than arena-scale production. The capitalized on both bands' rising profiles, achieving higher per-show averages and broader reach that solidified pop-punk's mainstream economic impact. The tour also played a pivotal role in promoting recent releases and sustaining sales momentum. For Green Day, it coincided with the launch of the B-sides compilation Shenanigans, which sold 280,000 copies in the U.S. as of September 2010. For Blink-182, the exposure built anticipation for their self-titled album released in November 2003, which debuted at No. 3 on the with 313,000 first-week units and ultimately achieved multi-platinum status. These uplifts highlighted the tour's synergistic effect on the bands' discographies amid a competitive rock landscape.

Bands Involved

Green Day

Green Day, originating from the punk scene in the , formed in 1987 and initially built a following through independent releases on before signing with . Their breakthrough came with the 1994 album , a major-label debut that blended punk energy with pop sensibilities, certified for 20 million copies sold in the United States as of 2024 and propelling them to global stardom. By the early 2000s, the band had evolved from underground punk roots to mainstream rock icons, with a catalog that included subsequent albums like Insomniac (1995) and Warning (2000), maintaining their irreverent style while expanding their audience. The core lineup for the Pop Disaster Tour consisted of on lead vocals and guitar, on bass, and Tré Cool on drums, augmented by touring guitarist Jason White, who had joined their live performances in 1999 to handle duties. Shortly after the tour concluded, issued their rarities compilation Shenanigans on July 2, 2002, which collected B-sides and outtakes from 1994 to 2001. As co-headliners on the Pop Disaster Tour, announced in February 2002, alternated headline spots with Blink-182 each night, delivering high-energy sets to captivate audiences. Their performance strategy emphasized chaos, fan interaction—such as teaching crowd members guitar chords—and theatrical elements like air-raid sirens, confetti blasts, and bursts of pyrotechnic flames to dominate the evening's vibe and reinforce their punk pedigree. This approach not only highlighted their live prowess but also underscored their role in bridging punk's raw origins with arena-scale spectacle. Blink-182, formed in , in 1992 by guitarist/vocalist and bassist/vocalist , originated within the vibrant skate-punk scene, drawing influence from local hardcore and punk acts while embracing the high-energy ethos of skate culture. The duo recruited drummer initially, but by 1998, had joined as the permanent drummer following Raynor's departure, solidifying the band's classic lineup of Hoppus on bass and vocals, DeLonge on guitar and vocals, and Barker on drums—a configuration that defined their breakthrough era. This trio quickly built a reputation for their irreverent, comedic stage persona, characterized by playful banter, juvenile humor, and chaotic live antics that contrasted sharply with the more aggressive, politically charged punk dominance of contemporaries like , appealing to a younger audience through self-deprecating wit and pop-infused melodies. By the early 2000s, Blink-182 had achieved massive commercial success, particularly with their 1999 album , which sold over 15 million copies worldwide and featured hits like "" that cemented their stardom. Following this, the band released Take Off Your Pants and Jacket in June 2001, an album that returned to their rawer punk roots while maintaining their signature humor, peaking at No. 1 on the and setting the stage for extensive touring. The Pop Disaster Tour, co-headlined with from April to June 2002, served as a key promotional platform for Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, allowing Blink-182 to showcase their youthful, comedic energy to massive audiences; the tour ultimately grossed over $20 million across 47 shows. This outing also built momentum leading into their darker, more experimental self-titled album released in 2003, which marked a creative evolution post-tour. Blink-182 took the initiative in conceptualizing the Pop Disaster Tour as a punk equivalent to the iconic packages, aiming to unite fans across punk generations and dispel notions of rivalry between the established and the rising trio by emphasizing collaboration and shared stage camaraderie. Their approach highlighted a lighthearted co-headlining dynamic, where Blink-182's sets focused on fun, relatable anthems and audience interaction, fostering a sense of generational handover in while countering media-fueled competition narratives through mutual respect and high-spirited performances.

Support Acts

The Pop Disaster Tour employed a rotation of support acts to energize audiences ahead of the co-headliners and Blink-182, featuring emerging bands in the and scenes. The primary openers were for the tour's first half (April 17 to May 20, 2002) and for the second half (through June 17, 2002), with additional acts and Kut U Up performing on select dates to vary the lineup across the 47-show run. Jimmy Eat World, riding the success of their 2001 alternative rock album Bleed American, which blended emo-pop elements with melodic hooks, provided a more polished, radio-friendly contrast to the headliners' raw pop-punk energy. Simple Plan, fresh off their pop-punk debut No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls released in March 2002, delivered high-energy anthems that appealed to younger fans and helped bridge the generational gap in the audience. Saves the Day contributed an emo-punk intensity, drawing from their established sound of emotional lyrics and fast-paced riffs to ramp up the crowd's enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Kut U Up, a San Diego-based indie punk outfit known for their humorous, slacker-style performances, added levity and local flavor on targeted shows, often selected by the headliners themselves. This rotating format diversified the tour's billing by mixing established rising stars like with up-and-coming and acts, exposing them to larger venues and broader audiences typically dominated by the headliners' fanbases. The variation in openers across dates ensured regional appeal while building momentum for the main sets, contributing to the tour's vibrant, multi-act atmosphere.

Tour Execution

Set Lists

Green Day's standard set list for the Pop Disaster Tour typically consisted of around 15 songs, drawing heavily from their breakthrough albums Dookie (1994) and Nimrod (1997), with a few selections from earlier works like 39/Smooth (1990) and Insomniac (1995). The performance often opened energetically with "Maria" from Warning (2000), transitioning into punk staples "Longview" and "Welcome to Paradise" to establish a high-octane rhythm of youthful rebellion and suburban angst. Mid-set highlights included the mosh-inducing "Hitchin' a Ride," the brooding "Brain Stew" paired with "Jaded," and a cover of Operation Ivy's "Knowledge" that paid homage to punk roots while energizing crowds. The core emphasized thematic contrasts between raw aggression in tracks like "Basket Case" and "She"—exploring mental health and relationships—and more anthemic closers such as "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," evoking nostalgia and closure. Encores featured "When I Come Around" and "Minority," reinforcing themes of independence and anti-conformity from the Dookie era. Blink-182's sets were longer, averaging 19 songs including comedic interludes, centered on hits from (1999) and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), blending hooks with humorous takes on adolescence, romance, and immaturity. Openers like "" and "" set a playful, fast-paced tone, quickly moving into "" and a cover of the Get Up Kids' "Going Away to College" to highlight emotional undercurrents beneath the levity. Key selections such as "What's My Age Again?," "," and "" captured stylistic shifts from irreverent party anthems to introspective ballads, while "" and "" served as crowd-pleasing peaks emphasizing relatable heartbreak and excitement. The structure allowed for extended banter segments, where the band incorporated props like oversized inflatable props or mock wrestling antics to amplify the tour's chaotic, fun-loving vibe. Variations across shows were minimal but included occasional surprises, such as swapping in covers like ' "" medley during "King for a Day" or Blink-182 extending skits with audience participation, though the focus remained on era-defining hits from the and periods to maintain thematic consistency of punk rebellion laced with pop accessibility. Staging elements enhanced these choices: integrated pyrotechnics during explosive openers like "," syncing bursts of fire and lights to underscore the sets' raw intensity and thematic chaos. Blink-182, in contrast, relied on banter-driven props and stage props, such as drum risers for acrobatic stunts, to punctuate their humorous interludes and keep the energy lighthearted.

Tour Dates

The Pop Disaster Tour featured 47 performances across the and , spanning from April 17, 2002, in , to its conclusion on June 17, 2002, in , . The itinerary focused on major arenas and amphitheaters, with many shows selling out or achieving high attendance relative to venue capacity, such as the full 15,565 at the on May 1 and 28,040 at the New World Music Theatre in Tinley Park on June 15. No major cancellations or reschedules were documented during the tour. Support acts varied by leg, with opening the first half of the tour through May 20, including the April 19 show at America West Arena in ; handled opening duties for the second half starting May 22. Additional openers like and Kut U Up appeared on select dates, such as joining in , on May 23. The full itinerary is as follows:
DateCityVenueLocationAttendance / CapacityNotes
April 17, 2002Bakersfield, CACentennial GardenUSA9,407 / 9,407Sold out
April 19, 2002Phoenix, AZAmerica West ArenaUSA13,295 / 18,422Jimmy Eat World opener
April 20, 2002Irvine, CAVerizon Wireless AmphitheaterUSA16,246 / 26,543Jimmy Eat World opener
April 23, 2002Las Vegas, NVMGM Grand Garden ArenaUSA7,412 / 13,549
April 24, 2002Inglewood, CAThe ForumUSA12,795 / 15,162
April 25, 2002Chula Vista, CACoors AmphitheatreUSA12,133 / 19,089
April 27, 2002Mountain View, CAShoreline AmphitheatreUSA16,474 / 22,000
April 28, 2002Wheatland, CASacramento Valley AmphitheaterUSA12,465 / 18,500
April 29, 2002Oakland, CAOakland ArenaUSA8,097 / 13,945
May 1, 2002Tacoma, WATacoma DomeUSA15,565 / 15,565Sold out
May 3, 2002Salt Lake City, UTDelta CenterUSA10,174 / 10,590
May 4, 2002Englewood, COFiddler's Green AmphitheatreUSA17,054 / 17,054Sold out
May 6, 2002Maryland Heights, MORiverport AmphitheatreUSA11,735 / 21,252
May 7, 2002Bonner Springs, KSVerizon Wireless AmphitheaterUSA10,974 / 18,000Jimmy Eat World opener
May 9, 2002Dallas, TXStarplex AmphitheatreUSA18,700 / 19,501
May 10, 2002Selma, TXVerizon Wireless AmphitheaterUSA12,170 / 20,000
May 11, 2002The Woodlands, TXCynthia Woods Mitchell PavilionUSA16,040 / 16,040Sold out
May 13, 2002Pelham, ALOak Mountain AmphitheatreUSA7,696 / 10,288
May 14, 2002Tampa, FLIce PalaceUSA10,406 / 11,000
May 15, 2002West Palm Beach, FLSound Advice AmphitheatreUSA13,376 / 19,571
May 17, 2002Orlando, FLTD Waterhouse CentreUSA12,500 / 17,500Jimmy Eat World opener
May 18, 2002Atlanta, GAHiFi Buys AmphitheatreUSA13,649 / 18,558
May 19, 2002Raleigh, NCAlltel PavilionUSA10,463 / 20,090Jimmy Eat World opener
May 20, 2002Charlotte, NCVerizon Wireless AmphitheatreUSA7,916 / 18,850Jimmy Eat World final show
May 22, 2002Virginia Beach, VAVerizon Wireless AmphitheaterUSA11,812 / 20,000Saves the Day opener
May 23, 2002Hershey, PAHersheypark StadiumUSA17,505 / 17,505Sold out; Simple Plan, Kut U Up
May 24, 2002Holmdel, NJPNC Bank Arts CenterUSA16,930 / 16,930Sold out
May 25, 2002Burgettstown, PAPost-Gazette PavilionUSA15,157 / 23,289
May 27, 2002Hartford, CTHartford Civic CenterUSA24,757 / 24,757Sold out
May 28, 2002Camden, NJTweeter CenterUSA17,242 / 25,431
May 30, 2002Wantagh, NYJones Beach TheaterUSA14,091 / 14,091Sold out
May 31, 2002New York, NYMadison Square GardenUSA15,475 / 15,710
June 1, 2002Darien Center, NYDarien Lake Performing Arts CenterUSA15,980 / 17,500
June 2, 2002Mansfield, MATweeter CenterUSA19,900 / 19,900Sold out
June 4, 2002Saratoga Springs, NYSaratoga Performing Arts CenterUSA13,706 / 25,133
June 5, 2002Washington, DCMCI CenterUSA15,000 / 15,000Sold out
June 7, 2002Toronto, ONMolson AmphitheatreCanada16,044 / 16,044Sold out
June 8, 2002Grand Rapids, MIVan Andel ArenaUSA11,459 / 11,459Sold out
June 9, 2002Columbus, OHValue City ArenaUSA10,681 / 15,000
June 11, 2002Auburn Hills, MIThe Palace of Auburn HillsUSA15,675 / 15,675Sold out
June 12, 2002Cuyahoga Falls, OHBlossom Music CenterUSA13,407 / 19,035
June 14, 2002Noblesville, INVerizon Wireless Music CenterUSA13,748 / 24,112
June 15, 2002Tinley Park, ILNew World Music TheatreUSA28,040 / 28,040Sold out
June 16, 2002Milwaukee, WIMarcus AmphitheaterUSA14,028 / 22,404
June 17, 2002Minneapolis, MNTarget CenterUSA15,512 / 15,512Sold out; tour finale

On-Stage Controversies

During the Pop Disaster Tour, a subtle but palpable rivalry emerged between co-headliners and Blink-182, fueled by 's determination to reassert their dominance in the scene after Blink-182's meteoric rise with albums like . Despite equal billing, Blink-182 closed most shows, which reportedly irked , leading to strategic performance choices designed to captivate audiences more intensely. Green Day amplified this competitive edge through elaborate production elements, including that created dramatic spectacles during their sets. At the tour's opening night in Bakersfield on April 17, 2002, Billie Joe Armstrong's performance ended with exploding around him, contributing to a high-octane display that reviewers noted overshadowed Blink-182's subsequent slot. Green Day also extended their encores and maintained relentless energy levels, performing 14 songs over an hour with minimal lulls, which pressured Blink-182 to match the intensity and prolong their own sets in response. Offstage, the bands shared a jovial rapport, with no major altercations erupting despite the tension—Hoppus described as "super cool" backstage, noting that his wife and Armstrong's were close friends. Onstage, however, the dynamic shifted to fierce musical competition; Hoppus recounted in interviews that "blew us off the stage the first few nights," prompting Blink-182 to "up our game" and elevate their performances. Drummer echoed this sentiment, stating that set out "to reclaim our throne as the most incredible live punk band," a mindset that influenced extended set lengths and heightened energy across both acts without descending into outright conflict.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

The Pop Disaster Tour received widespread critical acclaim for its high-energy punk performances, with reviewers predominantly praising 's tight, authentic sets while viewing Blink-182's more chaotic and humorous style as entertaining but comparatively less polished. Critics noted 's ability to deliver a musically sophisticated show rooted in punk traditions, contrasting it with Blink-182's juvenile antics that sometimes disrupted the flow. This comparative evaluation often positioned as the tour's standout act, emphasizing their energetic execution and crowd engagement over Blink-182's irreverent, pop-oriented approach. Reviews from major outlets underscored Green Day's punk authenticity, with describing their performances as a "high-energy " showcase that highlighted the band's mature stage presence and tight musicianship. Similarly, Variety lauded Green Day's supertight set of hits like "Longview" and "Basket Case," complete with and fan participation, calling it a professional triumph that outshone the co-headliners. Billboard's coverage, while more focused on tour announcements, echoed this sentiment in retrospective reflections, noting the underlying that fueled Green Day's superior live delivery. In contrast, Blink-182's sets were critiqued for relying on humor and poor comedic timing, such as during their handling of the serious "Adam’s Song," which left audiences restless despite strong drumming from . Fan accounts captured the tour's overall high energy but revealed divided loyalties, with many attendees expressing stronger allegiance to Green Day's intense, participatory shows, such as their cover of "" inviting fans onstage. Reviews from sites like Punknews.org and idobi highlighted this split, with Green Day's diverse setlist—including rarities like "Disappearing Boy"—earning rave descriptions as "flat out amazing," while Blink-182's off-key deliveries prompted boos and walkouts at some venues. Attendance was robust, with shows like the one at The Forum drawing nearly 17,700 fans, and several others exceeding 20,000 in arena settings. Contemporary reports varied slightly on the total show count, citing either 45 or 47 dates across the two-month run, reflecting minor discrepancies in venue confirmations.

Cultural Impact

The Pop Disaster Tour solidified the genre's dominance in the early 2000s, bridging the raw energy of the 1990s punk revival—exemplified by 's earlier work—with the era's broader rock alternatives, including nu-metal influences, by uniting two of its most prominent acts in a high-stakes co-headlining format. The competitive tension between the bands during the tour pushed both to refine their live shows, with drawing inspiration from the rivalry to develop their in 2004, a pivotal album that further elevated pop-punk's cultural footprint. Blink-182's bassist later reflected that the experience strengthened their performance dynamic, contributing to the genre's mainstream maturation amid shifting musical landscapes. The tour's multi-band structure served as an inspiration for subsequent events, establishing a blueprint for large-scale crossover packages that echoed the communal vibe of festivals like the , where diverse acts shared stages to build fan communities. Recognized as the crowning live spectacle of the 2000s boom, it highlighted the potential for co-headlining spectacles to drive genre-wide excitement and attendance. Support acts on the tour, including emerging group —whose debut album No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls had just released in March 2002—gained substantial exposure to massive audiences, accelerating their breakthrough into the mainstream scene through shared billing with established headliners. The event left a lasting mark on aspiring musicians, with attendees crediting it as a formative influence; guitarist Jack Barakat, who discovered an old ticket from the tour in his family's memorabilia, described it as "the reason why [he] plays music," noting that seeing Blink-182 live for the first time inspired him to start a cover band that evolved into his own group. Similarly, Panic! at the Disco's original drummer Spencer Smith recalled the Pop Disaster Tour as his first arena concert, which he attended with friends. In the post-2020 revival, the tour's legacy persists through modern festivals like When We Were Young, where and Blink-182 co-headlined in 2023, effectively recreating the original event's spirit and drawing nostalgia-driven crowds to celebrate the enduring appeal of 2000s-era acts.

References

  1. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/green-day-blink-plan-pop-disaster-76802/
  2. https://greenday.fandom.com/wiki/Pop_Disaster_Tour
  3. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mark-hoppus-blink-182-vs-green-day-rivalry-2002-tour-1235976170/
  4. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tour-report-green-day-and-blink-182-181103/
  5. https://beatroutemedia.com/iconic-tours/
  6. https://www.angelfire.com/music5/blink182dammit/articles/apjune02.html
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpVAQaLIkzE
  8. https://greenday.fm/live/box-office-history/pop-disaster-tour/
  9. https://www.greendayauthority.com/tour/2002/
  10. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mccartney-notches-years-highest-grossing-tour-73086/
  11. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ask-billboard-165-62536/
  12. https://www.billboard.com/pro/blink-182-california-drake-views-no-1-on-billboard-200-albums-chart/
  13. https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/green-day-dookie-anniversary-things-you-didnt-know-785326/
  14. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/green-day-celebrate-dookie-double-diamond-1235779425/
  15. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/green-day-dookie-making-of-album-anniversary/103379162
  16. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-22-et-apple22-story.html
  17. https://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Green-Day-eclipses-Blink-182-Pop-punk-pioneers-2844442.php
  18. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/25/blink-182s-california
  19. https://www.billboard.com/lists/blink-182-band-history-timeline/
  20. https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/the-finest/blink-182-lucky-breaks-and-the-power-of-place
  21. https://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2020/12/07/tom-delonge-skating-early-blink-182-fame/
  22. https://www.blink182.com/pages/discography
  23. https://americansongwriter.com/mark-hoppus-remembers-green-day-and-blink-182s-intense-rivalry-from-2002-tour/
  24. https://www.nme.com/news/music/blink-182s-mark-hoppus-speaks-out-on-past-rivalry-with-green-day-3863431
  25. https://musicfacts.fandom.com/wiki/Pop_Disaster_Tour
  26. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/blink-182--9?year=2002
  27. https://www.allmusic.com/album/bleed-american-mw0000380076
  28. https://www.allmusic.com/album/no-pads-no-helmetsjust-balls-mw0000658489
  29. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/saves-the-day-mn0000305363
  30. https://www.discogs.com/artist/397957-Kut-U-Up
  31. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/green-day-13d68939.html?tour=2bd660c2
  32. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/blink182-4bd68fae.html?tour=5bd66f28
  33. https://idobi.com/news/blink182-whip-out-the-tommy-lee-in-attempt-to-beat-green-day-at-tour-launchreview/
  34. https://www.csus.edu/indiv/t/tanakar/eng20/pop.pdf
  35. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/blink-182--9?page=2&year=2002
  36. https://idobi.com/news/green-day-overshadows-blink-on-disaster-tourreview/
  37. https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/blink-182-mark-hoppus-interview-book-fahrenheit-182-3862767
  38. https://collider.com/green-day-once-toured-with-blink-182-and-they-despised-the-band/
  39. https://variety.com/2002/music/reviews/blink-182-green-day-1200550101/
  40. https://www.punknews.org/review/991/pop-disaster-tour-live-in-wantagh-ny
  41. https://www.vice.com/en/article/mark-hoppus-talks-blink-182-and-green-day-2000s-tour-rivalry/
  42. https://dyingscene.com/the-best-pop-punk-tours-of-all-time/
  43. https://www.altpress.com/all-time-low-so-wrong-its-right-jack-barakat-signature/
  44. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2169950/news/
  45. https://rockcellarmagazine.com/when-we-were-young-festival-2023-lineup-details-blink-182-green-day/
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