Blink-182 Reunite With Former Guitarist Matt Skiba at L.A. Fire Relief Concert

Blink-182 took a break from stadiums to help raise money to rebuild Los Angeles after the recent wildfires — and also reconnected with a familiar face.

The pop-punk band performed an intimate sold-out show at the Hollywood Palladium on Thursday to benefit L.A. fire relief following last month’s devastation. The concert will be donating 100 percent of the net ticket proceeds to the Pasadena Humane Society, California Fire Department, LAFD Foundation and ARC Firefighter Fund.

Opening the Live Nation-produced show was Alkaline Trio, featuring frontman and guitarist Matt Skiba. This marked the first time that Alkaline Trio has played on the same bill with Blink-182 following Skiba ending his seven-year run with the latter group after the 2022 return of original guitarist Tom DeLonge alongside bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker.

Skiba joined Blink-182 onstage midway through their set to perform the 2016 single “Bored to Death,” which features Skiba on the original recording. Hoppus introduced Skiba to the stage by joking that he was a fan who had won a prize. “When we announced this show, we opened a contest for people who know how to play guitar,” Hoppus told the crowd. “And so, I’d like to invite you to give a big round of applause for our contest winner.”

At the end of the song, Skiba hugged Hoppus and then DeLonge. “Give it up for Matt mother-fucking Skiba,” Hoppus said. “Do you feel the love?” This led DeLonge to quip, “So much sexual tension.”

Blink-182 noted that they are used to playing in much larger venues than the Palladium, which holds roughly 4,000 attendees. Indeed, the band, which originally got its start decades ago in San Diego, performed a sold-out concert at SoFi Stadium in the L.A. area in July 2024 to a crowd of 51,000.

After noting how much he enjoys seeing shows at the Palladium, Hoppus said, “Normally, we play stadiums.” He added, “Playing this fucking tiny little closet, it’s fun for us. It’s cute.”

The group, known for its irreverent onstage banter and lewd jokes, kept things playful throughout the evening, while still acknowledging the importance of the fundraising. “We do this shit for the firemen,” Hoppus said. “When I say something like, ‘Buttholes taste like coins,’ that’s for the firemen.”

Blink-182 played a full set that included its signature tunes, such as “All the Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again?” and the 2023 hit “One More Time.” During a performance of the group’s breakout single “Dammit,” Blink-182 covered a snippet of the Chappell Roan song “Pink Pony Club.”

“We love you, Los Angeles,” Hoppus said toward the end of the show. “Give it up for the firefighters and the first responders and the volunteers, and everybody who’s been working so hard to put this city back together. We love you all.”