This was a bummer as I have seen these guys before and know how much talent this group has.
Sadly, it was clear that the audience (myself included) was just too anxious to see Tom and his band (let’s be honest– it’s him) to take the stage and people seemed to more talk through The Social Animals’ set rather than really listen to it. The Duluth-area born band took the stage and powered through a quick thirty minute set that was solid and clean. The Social Animals had the honor of opening up this highly anticipated sold out show. To say I was excited and had hyped this show up in my mind would be an understatement and, as I stood there waiting for the show to start, I started to worry that it wouldn’t be everything I wanted. I know times change and he has moved on (more on that later) but in my heart I knew I had to see this man perform at least once in my life and I finally got that chance on Thursday when he brought his band Angels and Airwaves to First Avenue. I’ve seen Blink 182 multiple times now but it’s never been quite right without Tom DeLonge behind the microphone. No matter what my mood is, they are there to comfort me like a weighted blanket. Find me a former emo kid that isn’t and I’ll show you a liar.