Californian punk outfit The Offspring returned to Melbourne this week for the second time in six months, bringing their “Supercharged” worldwide tour to Rod Laver Arena, delivering a high-energy performance that delighted fans. They were previously here playing a one-off show at The Forum in November to a much smaller group of fans as part of the Victorian Government’s Always Live initiative.
The night began with Canadian pop-punk band Simple Plan, who set the tone with hits like “I’m Just a Kid” and “Welcome to My Life,” engaging the audience with their nostalgic anthems.
When The Offspring took the stage, the crowd erupted as they launched into their 1994 hit “Come Out and Play.”
The band maintained their momentum with a setlist that included fan favorites such as “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy),” “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” and “Original Prankster.” They also showcased their versatility by blending in covers like “Blitzkrieg Bop” and a medley featuring “Smoke on the Water,” “Iron Man,” and “Detroit Rock City.”
The setlist and even the on-stage banter between lead singer Dexter Holland and guitarist Noodles was quite similar to what fans to to experience in November, but I’d like to think that was just a taste of what was to come with the arena show.
Holland’s vocals were as powerful as ever and Noodles kept the energy high with his dynamic solos. The band’s performance of “Gone Away” which combined the 2021 piano version with the original 1997 rock version, stood out as a poignant moment in the set.
The Offspring wrapped up their Melbourne set with a punchy encore, delivering crowd-pleasers “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” and “Self Esteem” with as much force as ever.
There was no fuss or over-the-top theatrics at this gig – just a tight, confident performance from a band that knows exactly what their fans want. It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel; it was about proving that after decades in the game, they can still pack out an arena and hit every note with purpose.
