Green Day in concert in Milan: setlist review

Billie Joe Armstrong, frontman of Green Day, live at the I-Days in Milan, June 16, 2024. Credit: I-Days

The last time they performed in Italy? Last November, when they had held a surprise concert at the Magazzini Generali in Milan. The location was undoubtedly unusual for the band – accustomed to huge crowds – who however had chosen to perform in some European clubs in order to present the the new album Saviors, which was released in January this year. Yesterday, Sunday 16 June, however, Green Day are back in the guise in which we have always known them: real stars capable of making thousands and thousands of people feel part of a single people, united and attentive to the world around them.

Green Day’s European concert with the most spectators

The frontman of the group Billie Joe Armstrong – in one of the moments in which he addressed the public – he exclaimed: «This is a beautiful evening. It’s not a party, but a celebration”. And so it was.

The Green Day concert welcomed 78,500 people at the SNAI La Maura Hippodrome, becoming the band’s European show with the most spectators of this tour. His staff confirmed it. Yet another confirmation for the I-Days Milano Coca-Cola, one of the most influential festivals of the Italian summer.

The view from above on the SNAI La Maura Hippodrome in Milan, during the Green Day concert on 16 June 2024. Sold-out with 78,500 spectators. Credit: I-Days

Green Day, between Dookie and American Idiot

Green Day’s punk rock is capable of giving an adrenaline rush, as well as deeply moving emotions. In two and a quarter hours of music, the Californian band retraces fundamental parts of their discography. With special attention to two records that celebrate important anniversaries in 2024: on one side Dookie which turns 30, on the other American Idiot, ten years younger. They are dedicated to these two albums the two main sections of the show.

In the first part of the show, dedicated entirely to Dookie – Green Day’s third album which played an important role in the new punk boom – the graphics of that project were recalled. Huge white balloons behind the bandto reproduce the album cover. And even an inflatable military plane that flies over the pit and drops balloon bombs. This part ends with «We are still alive», said exactly like that, in Italian, by Billie Joe. And with a short sketch by drummer Tré Coolon stage in an animal-print robe.

The Green Day stage, live in Milan on 16 June 2024. Credit: I-Days

Immediately afterwards, six songs act as an interlude between the two sections of the show. And at that moment, Billie Joe calls a fan onto the stage as usual. The lucky girl sings with him to the tune of Know Your Enemy and, ecstatic, she doesn’t miss the opportunity and kisses him and hugs him well.

American Idiot, from Iraq to Ukraine and Gaza

The second part of the concert is all for American Idiot, the irreverent fresco of America after September 11th, populated by grotesque and, at times, dangerous characters. Politics continually comes onto the stage with Green Day. The writing “No war” is huge during Holiday. At the time the band was referring to Iraq. Now my thoughts turn straight to Ukraine and Gaza.

Also in this case the stage transforms, welcoming references to all the imagery of American Idiot. The now iconic fist appears behind the trio, with the hand grenade heart. And the audience goes crazy, among Boulevard of Broken Dreams And Wake Me Up When September Ends.

From the first “Good evening Milan!”on the occasion of The American Dream Is Killing Mewhich opens the show, until “Mamma mia!” shouted between songs, Billie Joe never stops involving the audience. She catalyzes him with her voice, her solos and her frequent exclamations in Italian. The most popular? “Long live Italy!”. Which, if he had said it a few days ago, he would have almost risked violating the level playing field.