Blink-182, the pop-punk band are quite popular for its humor and catchy hits. The band recently headlined day three of the iconic Reading Festival last week. While the performance received positive reviews from many attendees, not everyone was amused.
As per The Reading Chronicle, Blink-182 were accused of being “unbelievably vile” during their set, sparking controversy among festival-goers and fans alike.
Blink-182 angers one fan?
There was a stark contrast between the festival’s efforts to raise awareness around consent and the behavior exhibited by Blink-182 on stage. The band has certainly disappointment and created an outrage over their explicit comments and gestures, which undermined the festival’s message about the importance of consent.
It has come to light that the band’s lead singers encouraged the audience with disturbing remarks such as “finger girls in tents tonight,” “ask your sister to stick a finger up your a**hole,” and “f*ck your mum.” These comments were not only inappropriate but also completely at odds with the festival’s initiatives to address the treatment of women at the event.
“It was so unbelievably vile,” one fan noted. “And whilst some say ‘that’s just Blink,’ that’s like saying ‘that’s just men’ to excuse sexual assault. It’s not ok.”
Blink-182 have been lambasted for failing to understand the crowd, pointing out that their brand of humor, which may have been acceptable in the past, no longer resonates in 2024. The band appeared out of touch with the audience, even going so far as to complain that the crowd “couldn’t already be tired on day 1.”
The festival organizers have also been called out to acknowledge the mistake of allowing such behavior from the band, especially in light of the festival’s recent focus on consent and safety for women.
This backlash against Blink-182 has reignited discussions about the band’s reputation for pushing boundaries with their on-stage antics. Some fans have brushed off their behavior as typical Blink humor but others feel that it’s time for the band to evolve.
Neither Blink-182 nor the Reading Festival organizers have issued a public response to the allegations. However, the controversy has certainly sparked a debate over the fine line between edgy humor and harmful rhetoric.
