The following article was provided to Parklife by 2B Entertainment.

The wait is finally over! After a triumphant European run, global rock icons Green Day — Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool – recently kicked off the North American leg of their massive global stadium Saviors Tour at Nationals Park to a 41,000+ crowd. Their career-spanning 37-song set has sent audiences worldwide into pandemonium, and now they’re bringing it back overseas.

Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show for Parklife DC!

Celebrating 30 years of Dookie and 20 years of American Idiot, the band played both albums in their entirety, along with cuts from their latest critically acclaimed 14th studio album Saviors, at Nationals Park on July 29. Green Day’s Saviors Tour has been the talk of the summer and serves as a testament to how the band continues to shape, inspire, and modify pop culture as we know it.

Green Day’s electrifying set kicked off with the blazing opening chords of “The American Dream Is Killing Me,” bringing the crowd immediately to their feet. Armstrong then introduced the next chapter of the setlist with a passionate shout of “Welcome to the 30th anniversary of Dookie!!” as the opening chords of “Burnout” filled the stadium. Cools’ signature thunderous drum solo only added to the stadium’s seismic applause. Dirnt’s distinctive signature thumping basslines riled up the crowd during fan favorites “Basket Case,” “Welcome To Paradise,” and “When I Come Around,” before a 42-foot-long inflatable Dookie plane – ripped right from the album cover – dropped a bomb (or two!) over the crowd during “Coming Clean.”

Watch the official music video for “When I Come Around” by Green Day on YouTube:

After a rocking playback of Dookie in its entirety, the band kept the energy alive and played their smash hits “Minority” and “Brain Stew,” along with cuts off their latest sonic masterpiece Saviors, like “Dilemma” and “Look Ma, No Brains!” Armstrong’s powerful vocals commanded the stage with as much energy as he had during the band’s inception over 30 years ago.

The setlist finally reached 2004’s juggernaut, American Idiot. Known for its politically charged lyrics and rebellious spirit, Green Day’s killer performance of this album in the heart of the nation’s capital hit differently. In true Green Day spirit, Armstrong swapped out the title track’s lyrics with “I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda,” inciting stadium-shaking roars from the crowd.

The night kicked off with sets from illustrious rock luminaries The Smashing Pumpkins and Rancid, and teenage rock quartet The Linda Lindas, who will all continue as support throughout the rest of the tour.

Catch Green Day on tour near you!

Here are some photos of Rancid opening Green Day at National Park on July 29, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.

Here are some photos of Smashing Pumpkins opening Green Day at National Park on July 29, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.

Here are some photos of Green Day headlining National Park on July 29, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.