by “Tampa” Earl Burton, Journalist, and Brent Michael, Photographer
Live Review: blink-182 with Alkaline Trio and Beauty School Dropout – August 29, 2025
I know I often complain about the date that some of these venues pick for significant events – seriously, does anyone enjoy a concert on a Sunday? – but Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre got it right on Friday. The venue hosted a pop punk festival featuring the reunited blink-182, ably supported by fellow punk bands Alkaline Trio and newcomers Beauty School Dropout. The Tampa fans were more than appreciative of the visit by the SoCal artists as they raucously cheered every note all evening.
blink-182 Enjoying a Renaissance
Last year blink-182, the veterans of the pop-punk wars of the Nineties, reunited for the first time when guitarist Tom DeLonge returned to partner with bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker in what is regarded as the “classic” lineup of the group. After being apart since 2015, the reunited blink-182 had such a fun time that they decided to come back in 2025 with a new tour and some of the same old shenanigans.
Only into their second stop of a monthlong series of dates that will conclude in Palm Desert, CA, on October 4, the “Missionary Impossible Tour 2025” from blink-182 brought the Tampa fans to their feet from the start. The show got a rousing start with a video from Ultimate Fighting Championship ring announcer Bruce Buffer, who brought his own unique introduction style to the proceedings. Announcing each man as if he were a UFC fighter, Buffer’s familiar “IIIIIITTTT’S…TIME!” got the concert off to a rocking start, befitting of the show that would come during the evening (for the record, Barker got the loudest ovation from the Tampa crowd).
Mixing in vintage chestnuts such as “The Rock Show” (a tune that had not been seen in a blink-182 setlist since 2001) with such hits as “First Date,” blink-182 would present a show that had something for everyone, suitably covering the past thirty years. The frenzied crowd of the Amphitheatre cheered pretty much every move and every word that the band put out on stage. Even some of the more than cringeworthy “dad jokes” from the band (Hoppus used a particular down moment to muse, “Here’s a thought…titties are the balls of the chest!”) brought laughter from the audience).
The band would rocket through a twenty-two song setlist and, because the songs from blink-182 are not epic in length, it kept the show moving and enjoyable. Of course, the band saved their best work until the end of the evening, with a blistering version of The Descendants’ “Hope” followed by the dual-barrel attack of “What’s My Age Again?” and “All the Small Things” capping off the night.
Every member was on point throughout the show. Barker, approaching fifty now, still can thunder away on the kit, while Hoppus and DeLonge bicker like an old married couple that happens to hammer away at their guitars with powerful effectiveness. We can only hope that the reunion of blink-182 continues for some time to come (there were rumors the tour in 2024 would be the last), because it really seems that there is still life to this “old” pop-punk band!
Alkaline Trio, Beauty School Dropout Fiery Openers
If you are going to pick a couple of openers for such a veteran act as blink-182, you could not have done better than the tandem of Alkaline Trio and a new act, Beauty School Dropout.
Alkaline Trio, with Matt Skiba (who stepped in for DeLong during his lengthy hiatus from blink-182) picking up the mic and the guitar, have their own history in late Nineties/early Aughts pop-punk performance. Coming out of the gate with one of their classic tunes, “Private Eye,” Alkaline Trio put on a visually stunning performance. Skiba in particular was plagued by some guitar issues during the early part of the twelve-song set, having to stop at one point and changing out guitars in mid-song at another (there were also some feedback issues). Overall, however, Alkaline Trio put on a solid show that effectively warmed up the crowd for blink-182.
Perhaps the surprise of the night – at least for those who got to the Amphitheatre for the start of the frivolities – was the band Beauty School Dropout. Founded only five years ago, BSD has already released two EPs and two full-length albums, blending a Killers-esque pseudo-alternative sound with a hard rock edge. They would electrify those who were initially cool to the band with their brisk thirty-minute set. Featuring tracks from their upcoming new album, Where Did All the Butterflies Go, BSD completely entranced the Tampa crowd, with the applause growing in intensity after each song concluded. Particularly notable were outstanding renditions of “Fever” and “Two of Us,” which will be included on the new album when it is released on September 5.
The show by all three segments of the bill – Beauty School Dropout, Alkaline Trio, and blink-182 – was a hell of a way to kick off the Labor Day weekend for Tampanians. If the blink-182 “Missionary Impossible 2025 Tour” comes near you over the next month, be sure to get out to see an outstanding throwback to the pop-punk days of the Nineties.
PHOTO GALLERY
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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