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Okay, oh my god. I'm still a bit shaking as I'm typing this and I'm not sure I fully realized or processed it yet. I still feel in shock. I arrived in Cologne earlier today, where I'll be attending the concert tomorrow. I walked around the city square for a bit and went into the Starbucks at the central station, high-key hoping that Mike would show up. Because you know, coffee. Alas, he didn't so I walked to the arena, marveled at it a bit and went to my AirBNB, which is only like 5 minutes from the arena. Not much later my friend I'm going to the concert with tomorrow sent me screenshots of Instagram from a girl who just met Tré and Billie at the dome. And that really isn't far from my room either, so I put on my clothes as quickly as possible and put on my make up and power-walked in the direction of the dome. A hockey game or something had just ended in the arena so of course I was held back by hundreds of loud sports fans, but I pushed my way through and soon enough I was walking on the bridge with the love locks. I kept thinking "Oh no, I'm too late, they're already gone" and kind of desperately kept walking but deep inside I knew that this was the day. And was on the lookout for a blue head because Tré would be the easiest to spot. So I walked and walked and suddenly... a tall blonde guy walked past me, laughing about something with his all-in-black group. I just stood still and stared at him in disbelief as he walked. At first I didn't realize it was Mike. I saw him walking towards me but I thought "Nah, that's not him. That's some German guy who just looks like him. Keep walking." But I stared after him, looked at his Converse, looked at his Oakland Coffee cap and I freaked out a little bit. I panicked and texted @I don't care who practically yelled at me to follow them and ask them for a pic. So I followed them, but of course I was terribly awkward (and probably a little creepy) about it. They walked and stopped like two times. I stopped too and averted my eyes like some kind of freakish amateur stalker. I just couldn't build up the courage to ask my idol for a picture. Then I saw that one of them, a rather short one (guess who), had separated himself from the group to take a picture of the love locks and of the train that was just passing by. It was then that I realized that this was Billie standing on his toes to look over the fence. (Such a cute sight, I will never forget it) So I waited until he was done (No, I didn't photograph him. I might be a freak but even I'm not that rude to photograph him without his knowledge) and turned away when I (in an embarrassingly high-pitched voice) asked "Sorry?? Can I take a picture with you?" There would have probably been better ways to approach him but cut me some slack, okay? I was out of breath from power-walking and two of my idols were right in front of me. So he turned around, looked at me for a second and held his black analog camera (the one with film inside) to his face and photographed me. I just stared at him like "What is he doing? Out of both of us, who is the celebrity?" but I let him do it. Then he said something like "Come here, turn around", confusing me even more. I did what he said and turned my back to him completely but he said "No no, stand like that" and gave me instructions on how to stand and positioned me. So there I was, my body facing the love-locks-fence and my face facing him while he adjusted his own position and snapped a few photos of me. I'm so glad I dyed my hair bright red on Friday, or else I think he wouldn't have done it. He then smiled and said "Okay, wanna take a selfie?" and I said "Yes, please!". I held out my arm but then quickly gave it to him, saying "Can you take it? My hand is shaking too much" and he took like three selfies of us. I thanked him, he grinned again and said "Pleasure, have a good one!" and walked away. I cradled my phone for a bit and stared at the picture in disbelief and absolute joy, just like the kind of freak I am. I still wanted a pic with Mike but he was already a bit ahead and I felt very weird following them again. But another guy was taking a pic with him at the moment and I knew I would hate myself forever if I didn't approach him. I waited until they were done and he was just about to go again when I stopped him (I hope he wasn't annoyed). I asked "Mike? Can I take a picture with you too?", he said "Sure!", I asked "Can you take it? Your arm is longer than mine". (Who the fuck says something like this?!) He said "Be careful, I tend to drop people's phones". He fumbled a bit with my phone to switch to the front camera (I forgot) and then snapped two pics of us. I thanked him (so much), he said "Have a nice day!" and I let them go. I don't think Tré was there (maybe he was and I didn't recognize him, after all I didn't recognize Billie at first either), but I saw Jason Freese walking there too. Maybe Jakob as well, but I'm really not sure. I walked around aimlessly for a while, confused about everything and in shock. So yeah. This will have been the best weekend of my entire life. Maybe he'll recognize me tomorrow

No I will definitely not go on stage I low-key fear that he will see me and pull me on stage, but I will shove my friend in front of me and point at her. I know right! I love how much he clings to the "old stuff", it's so endearing !

I just arrived in Cologne by train and now I'm sitting in a Starbucks, hoping that Mike will show up.

That's not my view at all as I don't think any of their albums are just repeats of the last one. It's one of the things I like. I think two rock operas is plenty without it just looking like a gimmick.

Omg

I like the song Nightlife

Okay, so I actually made the sign! Turned out okay.

In my drama class the other day, the teacher named one of her imaginary characters 'Billie Joe'. Let's just say I kinda lost my cool (just a tad) and my friends practically disowned me!!

Now imagine if he were to post that photo he took on his account... We still say you should go up tomorrow. T'was great hearing your story!

I love these pictures.

Oh gosh that is so sweet! Thank you so much !! ♥♥♥ I'm happy you like my posts so much ! I have already earned my peaceful death, other people need a chance too

@Billie Hoe Omg you're so lucky!! Congrats!! You know, I follow you on Tumblr and you're one of my favorite people there cause you always write your posts about GD with so much passion and it gives me an amazing feeling to know this band has fans like you, so you totally deserve it! And not ot gonna lie, your story made cry a little bit hehe, aahh congrats again!!

As you already know, I'm still pretty freaked out that YOU got to meet them and I'm SO HAPPY for you. You have a great time at the show tomorrow and please please (for me?) go on stage and sing something (because they have to ask you with that amazing hair of yours), so I can freak out some more.

I've posted this before, so sorry for the re-post but it was such an amazing story that I can't help sharing it again. I had tried to meet up with them again on the latest tour but our plans were derailed due to scheduling issues (still got to see two shows, but no backstage)...but I am really going to try for it again on the next leg of the US tour just to thank them for the amazing experience summarized below: I went to their show in Albany with my wife shortly after we were married in '09. Our wedding song was Last Night on Earth, and I like to think we were the first ever since the wedding was only a week after 21CB came out! We got to our hotel early (around 3pm) and decided to take a stroll and get some Starbucks. As luck would have it, we ran into Jason right outside Starbucks. The guy was cool as hell, we walked and talked about all kinds of awesome stuff (GD, PHGP, Network) and also mentioned that LNOE was our wedding song and we'd love to hear it. His reply was basically "that's so awesome, but we never play it live, so I'm not sure we can- I'll ask the guys". Well, we finished talking as he was coming up to their hotel, and their tour buses were right out front. He told us we could ask the rest of the guys if we wanted to hang tight by the buses. So naturally, we weren't going anywhere! Tre came out a few minutes later with a playstation strapped to his back. Standard Tre. I was almost numb from shock since I had been a hard core fan since Dookie came out. We both immediately went over and made the same request, which he seemed to enjoy, and then we wandered around with him for about five minutes while he tried to find the right bus. Just the three of us, talking the whole time. I couldn't believe it, he even gave me a whacky handshake when he finally found the right bus and went in. Mike was out a minute later. He also talked to us for a couple minutes but was more subdued. Bill Schneider was with him and enjoyed my random PHGP compliment. We repeated the request and he said he'd put in a good word. He seemed tired but was very friendly and a gentleman. During all of this, Adrienne was hanging around with the kids- I also found this cool but we didn't talk to them, just thought it would be a bit much and weird! Glad we acted like normal people and didn't bug the family! Lastly, Billie came out with his newsboy cap and sunglasses, with his tour security guy (I forget his name, but he's at all the shows) next to him. My wife ran up to him but the security guy motioned to stay back- we definitely weren't going to be able to wander around and have a long conversation with him like Tre. So, from 10 ft. away, I blurted out that LNOE was our wedding song and we'd love a dedication. He was cheerful and said "cool, I'll play it for you guys!". We were floored and thanked him- he was very friendly but that was the extent of it as his security guy basically escorted him right onto the bus. They put on an absolute monster of a show and we had great seats- right off the stage next to Mike above the floor- and we had almost forgot about the request. Then, the acoustic segment before the encore started, and instead of doing the typical acoustic medley, Billie played an incredible, heartfelt, full version of LNOE. My wife and I shed a few tears during the performance for sure. It was amazing, one of those moments that you will never forget. To this day we're both very touched by the moment, if I ever have a chance to speak with them again I'm going to thank them profusely (and probably embarrass myself while doing so, but that's ok!).

Got to sing Longview with them in Malmö yesterday. I was completely into the moment and just appreciated the fact I was there with my heroes - I forgot selfie, kiss and everything else because it didn't really felt like it mattered. The smiles on Billie's, Tré's and Mike's faces made my life complete and I easily consider 2017-01-28 as the best day of my life! I can also understand why the band have such an incredible amount of energy when they're on stage - Green Day fans are amazing! Y'know man.... You were simply amazing!

I think it's better sounding than the trilogy though.

Yes... I met Jason White outside their hotel in Oslo back in 2010. He came out all alone (probably just to draw som fresh air). There were a few "fans" around the hotel, but none of them even recognized him as a Green Day member... Kinda funny, as he's always been really interesting and cool to me. I got a picture with him, of which I have lost the original, and the only copy I have was the shitty compressed version I used to have as my profile picture on here. But that's ok now, CAUSE I MET BILLIE, MIKE AND TRÉ LAST WEDNESDAY!!!! I know, I know, Billie hates phones and selfies at shows, but I couldn't help myself

@Billie Hoe I'm so happy for you!! You've lived the dream! Hopefully I'll have some luck in June!

What a story! <3 Who can say they met Billie and he randomly decided to take pictures of them It's cool that he takes pictures for himself with an analog camera, who knows where they'll end up. And the selfies you took together are really cute Reading this made me happy, hope you have an amazing time tomorrow as well!

@Paola17 I considered not telling anyone and then waiting for my Facebook friends to see it being posted by Green Day But that's not very likely. It was also not his phone but an analog camera, so he would have to print them out and photograph them again to upload them on instagram Maybe I'll end up in a photo album though, who knows?

@Billie Hoe I'm extremely happy for you! It's such a great story and lovely photos! You look so cute btw! I absolutely love the part where he kept telling you how to pose to take your photo! Have fun at the concert!

Awh, come oooon. You'll do great and you know you'll never die in peace if you don't.

I think Revolution Radio is disappointing. Something about the sound is not working for me.

That's not variety. I don't think we need a rock opera to have amazing music.

Variety is the spice of life 😬 It's what makes the world go 'round, baaaaybeeee

Yep Nightlife fan here as well yes yes Lady Cobra verses aren't the best who cares it's a great fun song

One hell of a first post you've got yourself there, gotta give you credit for nerve

Before the Lobotomy is one of my favourite songs in the entire world. Masterpiece.

Love the old pics

Would I be an asshole if I made this into a sign for the concert on monday?

We know...we just try to forget it most of the time

I was watching this live video of Don't Leave Me from 2015, and I think it'd be such a great song to represent 39/Smooth with on the tour (of course, Tré would be smashing it on the drums, even though John does a great job here!!)

Its something like...they were at this hotel and watched the oakland raiders game (playoff?) ( and they were excited and emotional about it). Wives were seen in the city (shopping) while they practiced. Also it mentions they made no particular requests (not for food nor for stage items) other than asking about what was there to visit.they seemed interested in truffle and barolo (wine) . Last part is about fans.also mentions they had 8 trucks versus the 33 of madonna,and they have a cook travelling with them. Nice article. thank for sharing.

I love this one -

This thread is like torture because this has literally been my biggest bucket list item for 22 years now, but I also can't look away because I love it so much 😂 I have had some very brief encounters, but I wish more than anything I could have a picture taken with each of them and have a few seconds to thank them for everything. I met Tre once back around 2001 after an arena show on the Warning tour. He was sneakin around in the dark parking lot alone and we called him over, and he actually came over for a quick second when we snapped this pic. I saw Billie Joe walking around the grounds of Warped Tour the year they played and no one even noticed him. He was walking with Adrienne and I didn't want to bother them, but I mustered up all my courage and said "I'm sorry to bother you but could I take a quick picture with you?" and he apologized "I'm sorry, I'm in a big hurry, I can shake your hand but I gotta go!" So I guess I shook his hand but I don't even remember it because my mind was racing and it probably short-circuited. Ugh. I got Tre and Billie Joe's autographs through a chain link fence after a show on the Nimrod tour, and both of them came over to the group of us after the Detroit Fillmore show last month, but Tre left before I could really see him and Billie Joe just came over and thanked us all and shook a few hands in the front (I was way in the back of the crowd). Sigh. Someday, I hope! I have somehow never run into Mike, although he has responded to me twice on Instagram when I was totally not expecting it 😆