Blink-182 in Concert a.k.a. The Summer or Greatest Hits Tour hit the road in 2009, celebrating the band's reunion. After Tom DeLonge left the band in 2005, each member went their separate ways. Mark and Travis started up +44, and Travis played the drums in The Transplants. Tom and Travis played together in Box Car Racer and Tom also creating Angels and Airwaves.
Mark spoke of the first time he and Tom chatted about a reunion,
"Within the first phone call that I had with Tom, he and I were cracking jokes about old times and making fun of one another and making fun of the breakup of our band. And then when we got into the studio, it was good."
The band decided to reform, releasing the statement,
"We're back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy. Summer 2009. Thanks and get ready."
Travis also had the added trauma of his 2008 plane crash, along with the stress of the breakup, to overcome. He added,
"We used to play music together, and we decided we're going to play music together again."
USA
Las Vegas was the first city to host the band's comeback tour. There were high expectations and nobody knew what to expect from Blink-182. Would they still have the same friendship and bond they had before the breakup? Mark had already commented in an interview,
"If Blink 182 were ever to reform, it would have to be the most amazing, ridiculous, mind-blowing show and tour ever. I feel like, as bitter as our breakup was, we stepped back at the top of our game, and we'd have to come back even stronger and better than before."
He wasn't wrong. Fans loved the reunion tour and Blink-182 played all of their greatest hits for a concert that was deep in nostalgia and excitement. Support came from a variety of different bands, including The All American Rejects, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco!, Weezer and more. One fan said of the tour,
"We didn't know whether another Blink tour was ever going to happen. It was the best news ever! If this is how they're playing now, I can't wait for their new album tour!"
Canada
The band played 9 dates in Canada for the tour. The Planet Smashers and illScarlet supported them for their Montreal and Toronto gigs, and Blink-182 once again played an amazing set for their Canadian fans. You could tell there was no love lost between the band as Tom shouted to the audience,
"Travis is literally steaming back there with his wet, bare chest. I just wanna lick it all clean!"
After Canada, the tour set off for Europe.
Europe
Blink-182 were supported by Twin Atlantic for two dates in Scotland before they headed to Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and France. They returned to the UK to play Reading and Leeds Festival, then finished up in Ireland, Austria and Italy. Support in Europe came from bands such as All Time Low and Thrice.
It was the fourth time Blink had played at Reading and Leeds since their debut in 1999. Declaring their love of masturbation songs, the band lit up the stage with their songs and obscenities. Tom changed the word 'fights' to 'handjobs' in their performance of Always before saying,
"Let's start this again, for real... Dad!"
Some reviewers commented that it wasn't their best ever performance, but lifelong Blink supporters loved every second. A fan declared,
"Pop-punk wouldn't be what it is today without Blink 182; they are the kings! And now they're back, they can take the crown again!"