On July 6th, OAKA will come alive as Green Day, the iconic band that redefined punk rock, performs for the first time in Greece. With a staggering 75 million records sold, this is a highly anticipated event.
Billy Joe Armstrong, the band’s frontman, may not recall where he was on February 1, 1994, when their groundbreaking third album, “Dookie,” hit stores. Dubbed a reflection of the chaotic youth of three twenty-somethings, “Dookie” would go on to become one of the ’90s most significant albums, catapulting Green Day to fame beyond California.
Now, three decades later, the legends of American punk are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ejekt Festival with a performance at the Olympic Stadium. Despite earlier attempts by festival organizer Giannis Paltoglou to secure their presence in Greece, the band’s earlier European tours kept them away from our shores.
This time around, fans can expect to hear their classic hits like “Basket Case,” “21 Guns,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Good Riddance,” and “Wake Me Up When September Ends.” These timeless anthems have left an indelible mark on a generation and rejuvenated the American punk rock scene, despite some dedicated fans feeling let down when the band signed with a major label.
At one point, they were even barred from performing at “924 Gilman Street,” their old haunt, as their audience had grown beyond the venue’s capacity. “Dookie” alone sold 25 million copies, a figure unmatched by their subsequent albums, although their seventh, “American Idiot,” is hailed as a rock opera with prophetic significance. The band made headlines during Woodstock ’94 when a chaotic mud fight broke out, resulting in a security guard mistakenly injuring bassist Mike Dirnt.
Reflecting on their career, Armstrong once remarked that they had chosen a rather silly name for the band. At their Athens concert, fans can look forward to a setlist filled with their greatest anthems, preceded by performances from The Overjoyed, Inhaler, and The Kooks.
Louis Tomlinson: From One Direction to Solo Star
Just three days after Green Day’s explosive performance, the Ejekt Festival continues on July 9th with the renowned Louis Tomlinson. At 34, he carries a wealth of experiences, having first gained fame on X Factor and subsequently as a member of One Direction alongside Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles.
From 2011 to 2015, One Direction topped charts globally, with their second album reaching No. 1 in 35 countries, selling out arenas across the UK and Asia while earning $114 million from 123 concerts in 2012 alone. After the band dissolved in 2015, Tomlinson embarked on a solo career with the hit “Just Hold On,” produced in collaboration with DJ Steve Aoki. However, he also faced personal tragedies, including the death of his mother in December 2016, followed by the loss of his sister Felicity to a heart attack in 2018, right before he became an X Factor judge.
Tomlinson’s solo music has garnered attention, and he has proven to be a dynamic performer. Athenians witnessed his infectious energy on September 20, 2023, when he captivated the crowd at Plateia Nerou, demonstrating he has evolved beyond being a teen pop idol. On July 9th, he’s set to do the same at a sold-out OAKA, balancing rock sensibilities with a few One Direction favorites to make for a captivating show.
Before his set, Nieve Ella will perform, followed by the promising British band Only the Poets, and the exceptional Sevdaliza, who is enjoying a peak in her career with millions of streams and a mesmerizing stage presence. Tomlinson will close the festival.
Adding to the poignancy of his performance, Tomlinson was recently shaken by the suicide of his former bandmate Liam Payne. Shortly after posting his last message on social media, Payne tragically passed away in Buenos Aires. Tomlinson shared a heartfelt farewell, wishing he had the chance to say goodbye, expressing his love for his friend.
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