Punk rockers old and young flocked to the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater on Tuesday, July 22, as The Offspring brought their SUPERCHARGED World Wide in ’25 tour to Syracuse. The veteran rockers were joined by Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory for an impressive triple-bill.
It has been quite the ride for the Offspring. The band released their debut, self-titled album in 1989 but it was their 1994 album Smash that catapulted them to punk rock stardom and their surge in popularity helped trigger a modern punk rock revival. The album would go on to sell over 11 million copies and kick started the band’s run which continues three decades later. The California based rockers are now owners of an impressive 11 album discography which has produced countless radio hits.
As fans arrived to the amphitheater on Tuesday, they were greeted with a high energy set by New Found Glory. Rock veterans in their own right, the band had the early arriving crowd jumping and singing along belting out the band’s 2000 hit single “Hit or Miss” early on in the set. Singer Jordan Pundik made his way into the crowd during the song, sending the audience into a frenzy.
Jimmy Eat World followed New Found Glory with a high-energy set of their own. Opening with the 2004 hit “Pain”, Jimmy Eat World delivered single after single during their 50 minute set, closing with “Sweetness” and “The Middle”, which saw the audience belting back the songs’ anthemic choruses.
Following Jimmy Eat World’s set, the amphitheater quickly transitioned into “Offspring Mode”. The video screens began playing 8-bit renditions of Offspring tracks, synched up to offspring themed video game footage. They would later switch to Offspring Trivia, and later a kiss cam, all the while a blimp with The Offspring’s logo floated throughout the theater and a man in a gorilla mask danced through out the aisles.
Soon after, it was finally time for the Offspring. As the house lights dimmed, the familiar opening chords of the band’s 1994 hit “Come Out and Play” echoed throughout. The song kicked in with a shower of fireworks erupting behind the band. The band kept the momentum rolling by following with hit songs “All I Want” and “Want You Bad”.
Midway through the evening, the band took a moment to honor Ozzy Osbourne, who had passed away earlier in the day, by performing instrumental takes on War Pigs and Crazy Train. Later, singer Dexter Holland sat himself at a piano which was rolled to center-stage. Holland spoke of loss, dedicating the next track “Gone Away” to an old friend. Holland urged the audience to shine their cellphone lights high in the air in honor of their own loved ones who have passed on, and the audience obliged in dramatic fashion. Holland preformed an emotional, modern take on the band’s 1997 track, before the full band returned for a momentous final chorus.
Over the course of their 90 minute set, The Offspring delivered a setlist which read like a greatest hit album. All the while a blend of concert goers old and young joined forces, demonstrating the impressive staying power of the band.
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