Did Lollapalooza save the best for last? Blink-182 sure thinks so.
“We’re better than The Beatles,” guitarist Tom DeLonge offered in his typical flippant candor as he, bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker closed out the 2024 edition of the festival with a stacked hits setlist, four rounds of fireworks, a couple of covers and an elevated platform from which Barker could unleash his beast on high for a few tracks.
With the OG band lineup still somewhat fresh in their reunion (DeLonge rejoined the group in late 2022 after a seven-year gap), it’s clear they never lost their chemistry — or their boyhood sense of humor. What’s their age again? About 14.
“What’s up you f- - -ing perverts?” DeLonge said to introduce the show, suggesting Lollapalooza booked Blink last in order to “recharge everyone’s sexual energy” as they left the park for the last time.
When there weren’t crass jokes from Hoppus about The Bean sculpture resembling a particular body part on DeLonge’s mom, there were bathroom barbs about UTIs and STDs. Hoppus also just had to get a jab in about our cuisine, of course. “With all the ingenuity you have in Chicago, that’s what you came up with … pizza cakes,” he chided.
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker plays during Sunday’s Lollapalooza set.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Not that anyone took offense — to any of it. If you don’t have fun at a Blink-182 show, then you’re just doing it wrong. The trio has had a whole lifeline built around youthful nostalgia and just plain irreverence for anything serious. We have enough of that to deal with in our daily lives anyway, so why not take 90 minutes off?
There were a few moments of sentimentality in the mix, however. “This next song is about us and everything we’ve been through since 1992,” said Hoppus to introduce “Anthem Part 3.”
With all the jesting, it’s easy to forget that the band has been through the life wringer with cancer, plane crashes, breakups, aliens and Kardashians — and come out of it on the other side. Ending with one of the newer songs, “One More Time,” was also a nice touch, the track symbolizing the strength of the bond between the band of brothers that helped them come back around again.
The entire set list was cobbled together as if in tribute to that history — and also what’s to come. Alongside oldies like “Stay Together for the Kids” and ‘Dammit” were new songs such as “Edging” and even an unreleased number, “Can’t Go Back,” that will be included on a deluxe edition of recent latest album “One More Time…” later this month.
Blink-182 also slipped in two songs from the members' various side project’s: +44’s “When Your Heart Stops Beating” and Box Car Racer’s “There Is.” But the chef’s kiss was adding a few lines of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” in the middle of “Dammit” to really bring the night, the weekend and a great 2024 edition of Lollapalooza full circle.
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Iverson Woods and Jade Flournoy pose for a photo on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. |Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Festival goers enjoy Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Chappell Roan performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. |Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Chappell Roan fans wait at the barricade before her set on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Adan Diaz performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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A fan holds the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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A fan pretends to bite the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. |Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.|Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.|Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
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Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. |Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Stay Safe Lolla is displayed on a tower prior to Megan Thee Stallion performing on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. |Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Kids watch Taj Farrant perform at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dress up as the Power Rangers as thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Fans listen to Wisp on the Second day of LollaPalloza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Ava Maybee performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Queen Herby performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Taj Farrant performs at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Festivalgoers dance at Casa Bacardí during day three of Lollapallooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Festivalgoers mill around on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Matthew Hendley of Happy Landing performs on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Leisure performs on the third day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Security mists festivalgoers as they wait for IVE to perform on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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IVE performs on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Festivalgoers watch IVE on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Stephen Carpenter of Deftones performs on the third day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Future and Metro Boomin perform on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Fesivalgoers scream as they watch Future and Metro Boomin on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Aja Volkman with Nico Vega performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer and sing along as Teezo Touchdown performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
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Teezo Touchdown performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
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Two festival goers use hand fans to keep cool on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
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Fans listen to Carmen De Leon on the last day of Lollapalloza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Chicago Sun-Times
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Teddy Swims performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
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A young fan holds up a sign that read’s “I Love Teddy Swims My First Concert!!” as Teddy Swims performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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SiR performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Thousands of Festival goers attend the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Thousands of festivalgoers attend the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Carmen DeLeon performs on the last day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Chicago Sun-Times
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The Last Dinner Party performs on the last day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Tom DeLonge, left, and Mark Hoppus with Blink-182 performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Downtown buildings facing Grant Park are lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate the the fourth day of Lollapalooza, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
