Sometimes, being ablink-182fan means witnessing things you can’t quite believe. That’s certainly true of the past 20 years or so, in which we’ve seen the band break up, Travis Barker almost die in a plane crash, blink reunite, Tom DeLonge leave again, Travis and Mark Hoppus continue with a new member, and then the classic line-up reunite a second time. It’s certainly never been dull, if not always positive, but things do seem different now.

Following on from their latest reunion world tour, and then subsequentlyOne More Time…album release and tour,it’s been a great time for blink-182 and the band’s fans. Somehow, things keep getting better and, in a sense, even more unbelievable. But even by theiconic pop-punk band’s standards, and everything that’s happened, I still didn’t truly expect we’d get the moment we did this past week.

Blink 182 Songs Not Played Live

Blink-182 Played “Bored To Death” Live With Matt Skiba & Tom DeLonge

The Song Was The First Single Off California, The Band’s First Album Without Tom

At blink-182’s show at the Hollywood Palladium on August 01, 2025, a benefit concert for theL.A. wildfires, the band was joined on stage by former member and Alkaline Trio frontman, Matt Skiba, for a performance of “Bored To Death” - the hit song that was released whenSkiba, not DeLonge, was part of the band. While I had hoped this might happen when the show was announced - Alkaline Trio were playing on the same bill -it still feels shocking that it actually happened.

If you’d told me a few years ago that would happen, while I’d have loved the idea, I’d probably have laughed in your face too.

Mark Hoppus Sings Live for Blink-182

It was momentous enough when DeLonge was playing “Bored to Death,”a sign of the band’s old wounds being fully healed. But having Skiba, his one-time replacement, actually join him on-stage? Come on.

For almost three and a half decades, on and off, Blink-182 have played barn-busting live shows, but even some of their best tracks don’t make the cut.

If you’d told me a few years ago that would happen, while I’d have loved the idea, I’d probably have laughed in your face too. After everything the band has been through, for them to all come together and play as a 4-piece for the first - and possibly only - time still blows my mind a few days later, and I’m so f**king jealous of anyone who was able to witness it in-person.

It May Never Happen Again, But It’s An Amazing One-Off

The question of what blink-182 would sound like with both Tom and Matt in the band has long felt like a “what if?” that would never be answered. After all, how could it? And yet, somehow, we now know the answer - and it’s pretty darn great.

Blink playing as a true foursome will probably never happen again in any way, but it’s a great experience.

The biggest advantage for me, besides the clear cool factor and awe of the moment, is in the guitar sound. Like many bands, blink has increasingly used backing tracks when playing live to help fill the sound - something I’ve noticed seeing them in both 2023 and 2024. It’s not a problem, but there’s a certain live rawness that it can’t replicate;having Skiba and DeLonge playing guitar meant that it was less prominent, and gave the song a fuller sound.

One of Blink-182’s songs hasn’t been played live in 23 years, but a huge anniversary in 2026 might mean it’s time to end Blink-182’s streak.

It was also great to have them briefly harmonizing later in the song. One reason (of many)I never loved the Skiba era of blink quite as much is that, as good as he is, he doesn’t provide enough of a contrast with Hoppus’ vocals. Adding Tom into the mix enhances the experience and sound, even if he didn’t do too much singing in the song, rightly allowing Skiba to take the spotlight.

“Bored To Death” is one of five blink-182 songs, and the only one with Skiba, to reach Number 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart. The others are “All The Small Things,” “I Miss You,” “Edging,” and “One More Time.”

Blink playing as a true foursome will probably never happen again in any way, but it’s a great experience. As an aside, I got to see them play “Carousel” live with The Story So Far’s Parker Cannon on vocals last year, and that was also pretty incredible.

That’s not to say blink should be a 4-piece.I don’t think I’d like to see them add a touring guitarist, and the band is undoubtedly at its best when it’s Mark, Tom, and Travis creating magic together, so I wouldn’t even want a full album with Matt added into the mix. But as a one-off that honors the important role Skiba played in keeping the band alive, and answers a question I’ve had for years. It’s awesome to see.

The Mark, Tom & Travis Show Is As Good As Ever

One More Timemay not quite rival blink-182’s peak run from 1999-2003, but it’s a great album nonetheless. I’d certainly put some of its songs, such as “Turpentine” and “Anthem Pt. 3,” in their best 10-15 songs of all time. Similarly, in terms of live shows, the band perhaps lacks a little of the raw energy from its heyday, but I think may actually sound better and tighter than they have done in a long time (especially with Tom, and certainly compared to the first reunion era), while still having classic blink banter.

One More Time…was blink-182’s third Number 1 album on Billboard’s Hot 200, followingTake Off Your Pants and JacketandCalifornia.

Since Tom rejoined,blink-182 have played Box Car Racer, they’ve played +44, they’ve played songs off California, and now they’ve played with Matt Skiba. It really shows how much their friendship and bond has mended and seems more solid than ever and everything just feels right.

I’m far more invested in the friendship of two men I’ve never met than a guy in his 30s perhaps should be, but the magic of blink is, in part, that brotherhood between Mark and Tom (and Travis too, but there’s extra meaning to the two founders). In that regard,blink-182seems as good as ever, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings.

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“EDGING”

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“F**K FACE”

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“ANTHEM PART 3”

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