Punk rock energy, nostalgia, and good vibes made this Offspring concert one to remember.
At first glance, the lineup for The Offspring’s summer stop at PNC Bank Arts Center seemed like an unusual mix — New Found Glory, Jimmy Eat World, and The Offspring — bands from different corners of the alternative spectrum. But once the music started at exactly 7 p.m., it became clear that the glue holding them together was simple and loud: punk rock energy. All three acts brought their own shade of it, and together they made for a night that felt both nostalgic and alive in the present.
We got to the venue early — as early as the NJ summer traffic would allow — and still weren’t alone. The parking lot shared with NJ Transit’s park-and-ride was buzzing with fans tailgating from the backs of SUVs, folding chairs lined up as if it were a backyard party. After a mile-long trek to the gates, the air already felt like a gift. A week of oppressive heat had finally broken, leaving a perfect night — cool but not cold — for an outdoor amphitheater show.
After checking in at the side entrance for photo duties, I had a few minutes to wander, find my seat, and take in the pre-show hum. The crowd was filtering in, but the real surge came later.
New Found Glory opened to a half-filled venue, but the fans who were there made it clear why they’d come early. Their short set was a high-energy burst, like jumping back into a high school summer, blasting pop-punk from the car stereo. They even gave a nod to New Jersey music history with a shout-out to the long-gone Hunka Bunka Ballroom.
Jimmy Eat World followed, the crowd now twice as big. They delivered a tight, 40-minute set spanning 30 years of music, starting with “Pain” and ending with their eternally uplifting anthem “The Middle.” By the time they left, the seats and 10,500-capacity lawn were full — a sold-out sea of people ready for The Offspring.
Even before The Offspring hit the stage, the show had begun. A white blimp with their logo floated through the venue, puppeteered from below. The massive screen counted down 25 minutes with an animated skeleton, while cameras roamed the audience for “F*** You Cam” and “Booty Cam.” Perhaps The Offspring’s humorous answer to the Coldplay “Kiss Cam?” incident. In the aisles of the first section someone in a gorilla suit ran around, later reappearing on stage during the Ramones cover.
At 9:00 sharp, the lights dropped. The crowd roared. The screen flashed an 8-bit version of “The Kids Aren’t Alright” before the speakers exploded with AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” Without hesitation, the band tore into “Come Out and Play” — the perfect opener: a chant-along classic that pulls everyone in without blowing them out too soon.
From there, the set was a tour of their history — a 90-minute rollercoaster of nostalgia, high-speed punk, playful chaos, and heartfelt moments. Early hits like “All I Want” and “Gotta Get Away” sat alongside 2000s anthems like “Want You Bad” and newer tracks like “Looking Out for #1” and “Make It All Right.” The pacing was masterful: they’d spike the energy with “(Can’t Get My) Head Around You” or “Hammerhead”, then give just enough breathing room before the next sprint.
Mid-show brought some additional fun, humor, and heartfelt moments. They played an energy-fueled Ramones cover of “I Wanna Be Sedated,” with the gorilla from earlier running around the stage during the track. They also performed a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with Noodles talking about the influence Osbourne had on his own musical journey in between riffs of Black Sabbath‘s “Sweet Leaf” and “Paranoid.” They also played a partial clip of “Crazy Train” with Dexter on vocals. Noodles also entertained the crowd with his guitar talents, playing a cover of Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, while Dexter took a break.
Another emotional moment came when. Dexter Holland sat at a piano for a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You”, followed by a devastating “Gone Away”, blending the power of the 1997 original with the stripped-down 2021 version. Before playing it, Dexter asked the crowd to light up the stadium in memory of lost loved ones — and thousands of phone lights turned the amphitheater into a galaxy.
The quiet didn’t last long. One particularly electric moment came during “Bad Habit,” where the band extended the song’s signature pause, creating a charged atmosphere thick with anticipation. The crowd eagerly filled in the censored lyrics, screaming every word with unrestrained enthusiasm, turning the moment into a communal chant. That spontaneous interaction, where thousands of voices united in perfect timing, was a powerful reminder of the connection between band and fans — raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable.
The show charged into its final stretch with “Why Don’t You Get a Job?” (complete with dozens of huge beach balls bouncing through the crowd), “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)”, and “The Kids Aren’t Alright.” The crowd sang so loudly at times that the band dropped out entirely, allowing thousands of voices to take over. It was the kind of collective skin tingling and hair-raising moment.
They left briefly, then returned for a two-song encore: “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” and their big hit, “Self Esteem.” Both landed like victory laps, sending the audience out into the cool night buzzing with adrenaline.
The setlist pulled from almost every era — Smash (1994) to Supercharged (2024) — and while there were personal highlights for me (“Want You Bad”, “Gotta Get Away”, “Staring at the Sun”), overall nearly every song hit hard. The Offspring’s mix of sharp playing, playful banter, and self-aware absurdity made for a show that was as fun as it was musically tight.
It wasn’t just a night of punk rock — it was a night of connection, nostalgia, and joy. Whether you were a first-time listener or someone who’s been singing along since the ’90s, the band made you feel like you belonged there, under the New Jersey stars.
Catch The Offspring now on tour. Get more information on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) pages.
The Offspring Setlist
(Can’t Get My) Head Around You
Original Prankster (Feat Redman)
Bad Habit (Extended pause in the middle of the song)
Sweet Leaf (Black Sabbath cover) (Riff only)
Paranoid (Black Sabbath cover) (Partial)
Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne cover) (Partial; with band intros)
In the Hall of the Mountain King (Edvard Grieg cover)
I Wanna Be Sedated (Ramones cover)
Fix You (with Dexter on piano)
Gone Away (with Dexter on piano; using elements of 1997 and stripped-down 2021 versions)
Encore:
Listen to the setlist on Amazon music
About The Offspring:
Formed in 1984 in Huntington Beach, California, The Offspring are one of punk rock’s most enduring and influential bands. Known for their blend of high-energy punk, catchy melodies, and sharp lyrics, they broke into mainstream success in the mid-1990s with their breakthrough album Smash, featuring iconic hits like “Come Out and Play” and “Self Esteem.” Over the decades, The Offspring have continued to evolve while staying true to their punk roots, delivering anthems that combine rebellious spirit with infectious hooks. Their music spans a wide range of themes — from social commentary and personal struggle to humor and nostalgia — making them favorites among multiple generations of fans worldwide. With millions of albums sold and a reputation for electrifying live shows, The Offspring remain a vital force in alternative rock and punk music.
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