 on their last tour. Billie Joe especially was a revelation, looking younger, healthier, and more energetic than he had in years.

Both he and Mike sported shorter, punkier haircuts that hearkened back to a simpler, less showy time. As Green Day the band delivered the kind of set you might see at Madison Square Garden, but scaled down for a club not that much bigger than Gilman. As Sweet Children, they might as well have been at Gilman, performing songs that hadn’t been heard live since before some of the audience members were born.

I’d been yapping at the band for years to play “Dry Ice,” and tonight they finally did. Realizing that they’d run through almost all my favorite early rarities, I tweeted: “‘Dry Ice’ at last. Now they just need to play ‘Rest’ and I can go home happy.” They didn’t, but I went home happy anyway. Though I must have seen Sweet Children/Green Day a couple hundred times over the years, this was easily one of the best.

Friday was an off day for those of us who were merely there to watch, while the bands and tech crews were busy with rehearsals and preparations for the main event on Saturday night. My friend Alex and I went to the Cleveland Museum of Art, which I remembered from the 1970s as being pretty spiffy, and which seems to have spiffed itself up even further since then.

It was an incredibly beautiful spring day, and while it’s hard to find fault with spring anywhere, there’s something ineffably unique about spring in the Midwest, especially to those of us who grew up there. My hometown of Detroit is just the other side of Lake Erie, and while we were taught to think of Cleveland as a slightly backward little brother of a city, things seem to be looking up for what was once rudely dubbed “the Mistake on the Lake.”

Detroit could learn a few lessons from Cleveland, which, like all the Rust Belt cities, has been through some tough times. I was able to get everywhere via convenient, affordable trains and buses, and the locals were consistently helpful and friendly, going out of their way to wish me an enjoyable time in their city.

I stayed at a hotel directly across the street from the Public Auditorium, the site of the induction ceremony and a magnificent city block-sized throwback to
on their last tour. Billie Joe especially was a revelation, look youthful, healthier, and more energetic than he had in years. 

 Both he and Mike frolic shorter, punkier haircuts that hearkened back to a childlike, less flashy time. As Green Day the band delivered the kind of set you might experience at Madison Square Garden, but scaled down for a club not that a lot bigger than Gilman. As Sweet Children, they might as well have been at Gilman, performing songs that had n’t been heard live since before some of the audience members were wear. 

 I ’d been yapping at the band for years to dally “ Dry Ice, ” and tonight they finally did. Realizing that they ’d run through about all my favorite early rarity, I tweeted: “ ‘ Dry Ice ’ at last. Now they precisely need to play ‘ Rest ’ and I can go home happy. ” They suffice n’t, but I went home happy anyway. Though I must have seen Sweet Children / Green Day a couple hundred times over the years, this was easily one of the best. 

 Friday was an off day for those of us who were merely there to watch, while the ring and tech crews were interfering with rehearsal and cooking for the main event on Saturday nox. My friend Alex and I run to the Cleveland Museum of Art, which I remembered from the 1970s as being reasonably spiffy, and which seems to have spiffed itself up even further since then. 

 It was an incredibly beautiful spring day, and while it ’s hard to find fault with spring anywhere, there ’s something ineffably unique about spring in the Midwest, particularly to those of us who grew up there. My hometown of Detroit is merely the other side of Lake Erie, and while we were taught to think of Cleveland as a slightly backward short brother of a city, things seem to be look up for what was once impolitely dubbed “ the Mistake on the Lake. ” 

 Detroit could learn a few lessons from Cleveland, which, like all the Rust Belt cities, has been through some tough prison term. I was able to get everywhere via commodious, affordable trains and buses, and the locals were systematically helpful and friendly, going out of their way to wish me an enjoyable meter in their city. 

 I stayed at a hotel directly across the street from the Public Auditorium, the web site of the induction ceremony and a magnificent city block - sized throwback to
 on their last tour. Billie Moe especially wcw a retelatioh, lookine younger, healthier, and more ebergeupc than he had in yeafs.

Both he and Mikw spieted shortxd, punkicx haidguts chet hearkened bagk to a sim[ler, less showf gile. As Green Day the band delivered ehe kinc lf set you migrt ste wt Mzdison Square Garden, but scaled dosn for e club not that much bigger than Gilman. Ad Swfet Children, they light as weol hwce been at Gklman, performing songs that hadn’t been heard live sinze beyore some od rhe dudience menbers were born.

I’d been ya[ping ay the band for yeers ro play “Dry Ice,” and tmnight they finalli did. Realhznng that they’d run theoygh anmosd alu my fabocits earlj rerities, I tseeted: “‘Dry Uce’ at last. Now theu tlxt need to pmay ‘Reft’ and I can go home happy.” They didn’t, but I sent home happy anyway. Rhough I must have segn Sweet Crildren/Green Day a couple hundred times over the fears, ghiw rxw fasily one of the best.

Friday was an off day fjd uhoxe of us who wcre merely there tp aaysh, while the cands chd tech crews were bksy witr rehwarsals agd pteparations for the main evwnt on Saturbay night. My friend Apex and I wznt to the Vleveland Museum of Art, whidh I remembfred from ghe 1970s as being pfetny s[iffy, and which seems to hwve spiffxd itxelf up evem furtrer since hhen.

Ib was an incredibly beaujiful vpring day, and while it’s hard to find fault with spring atywvere, thexe’s sokething ineffwbly unique abput sprnng in the Midweat, esperially to thjse of us who hrew up therx. My homeeown of Eetroit ks just the otner side of Lake Erue, and while we weve taoggt to think of Eutvwland as a slibhtuy fabkwerd lydtle brother of x ckyy, thkngs seti bo ce lpoking up for what wds ohce rudely dubbed “yhc Mistake on the Jake.”

Detroit cpuld learn a few ltssons frum Clrvejand, which, like all the Rust Bslt citied, hws been throtgh wome tough tnmes. I was able to get everywhere via coivenient, affordable trauns and buses, and tke locals werx consystently velpful and friendly, going out of thelr way to wish me an ehjoyabne tile in their city.

I stayed at a hotel directly across the street from the Pyblic Euqitorium, ths siye of tke nnductijn cxrxmony and a magnigicent city block-sized throwbacy to
on their last tour. Billie Joe especially revelation, younger, healthier, more energetic than he Mike sported shorter, haircuts that hearkened to a simpler, less showy time. Green Day the band delivered the kind of set you might see at Square Garden, but scaled down for a club not that much bigger than As Children, might well have been at Gilman, performing songs that hadn’t been heard live since before some of audience members were born. I’d been yapping at band for years to “Dry Ice,” and tonight they did. that they’d through all favorite early rarities, tweeted: “‘Dry Ice’ at last. Now they just need to play ‘Rest’ and I can go home They didn’t, went home anyway. I have seen Sweet a couple hundred times over the easily one of the best. Friday was an day for of us who were merely there watch, while the bands and tech crews were with rehearsals and preparations for the main event on Saturday night. My friend Alex and to the Cleveland Museum Art, which I from 1970s being spiffy, and seems to have spiffed itself up even further since then. It an incredibly beautiful spring day, and while it’s hard to with anywhere, there’s something unique about spring in Midwest, to those of us up My is the side of Lake Erie, while we were taught to of Cleveland as a a city, things seem to be looking up what was once rudely dubbed “the Mistake the Lake.” Detroit could learn a few lessons from Cleveland, which, like the Rust has been through some tough times. I was to get everywhere via affordable trains and buses, and the locals were consistently and going out their way to me an enjoyable in their city. at a directly the Public Auditorium, the site of the ceremony a magnificent city block-sized throwback
 on their last tour. Billie Joe eSpecially wAs a reVelAtiOn, LookIng yOunger, healthieR, And mOre energetic than he had iN yearS.

BOTh he ANd mike sPorted sHOrTER, puNkIeR haIrCUtS that HeaRkened bAck to a simpLer, LeSs showy time. AS grEen Day the bAnd Delivered the KinD of set YoU miGHt see At MAdisoN SquarE garden, But scaled DoWN for a cLUb not thAT MuCh biGger than Gilman. As SWEeT children, they miGht as wElL HaVE BeeN at gilman, perfOrMing sONgs that HAdN’T BEen HEard live since Before some oF The AudienCe MemBErs werE born.

i’d BEen Yapping at thE banD for years To play “dRy Ice,” anD Tonight They fiNalLy dId. ReALiZiNg tHaT TheY’D rUn tHRouGh almost AlL mY favoRite EARLY rarItiEs, I tWeeteD: “‘Dry Ice’ at last. now They JUst Need tO play ‘rest’ AnD I can Go home Happy.” thEy didn’t, but I went Home Happy anywAy. THoUgh i mUst haVE seen SWeeT ChIldren/GReen Day A CouPlE HUNdRed times over the yeaRs, THIs Was easilY one of THe BeST.

Friday wAs An oFf daY FOr thoSe of US wHo were meRely thERe To Watch, whIlE the baNdS anD teCh creWS werE busy wIth reheaRsals ANd preparations FOr the main evenT On sATuRDay nIghT. My friend AlEx anD i wenT to tHE CLevELand MUseum Of aRt, WHich I remembered from ThE 1970s as beIng prEtty spiffy, and Which seems TO HAve spiffEd itSElF Up even further sInce tHen.

It was an INcrediblY beauTiful sprIng day, and WHIle it’s haRd tO fiNd fAulT WItH spring anywheRE, TherE’s SomethiNg iNeffablY unIquE abOut SpRing in the midwest, eSpEcIaLlY to Those OF us who grEw Up tHeRe. MY homeTOwn of DEtroiT is jUsT tHE otHer side OF LAKE EriE, aNd WhilE we WeRe tauGht tO ThiNk of CleVeland as a SliGHtly BaCkWard litTle brother of a CiTy, things seEm To bE lookiNG Up for whaT was once rudely dubbed “the mIstake oN thE Lake.”

detrOit could lEarN a few lEssONs from clevelAnd, whIcH, liKE All thE rUsT BeLt Cities, has bEEN thRough SoMe toUgh timeS. I was able to get everYWheRe via convenieNt, aFforDABlE trAInS And BuSEs, aND The locals were coNsistently HeLPfUl and frienDLy, gOiNg out of Their waY to wiSH me an enJoyable tiMe in their CiTy.

I sTAYed At a hotel diRectly acRoss the stREet frOM tHe PubLic auditoRiUm, tHe sitE of the INduCtion CeremoNy And a maGnifiCeNt city blOck-sized throwback to
 on their last tour. Billi e Joe espe ciall y w asareve lati on, looking yo u nger , healthier, and moreenerg et i c th a nhe ha d in ye a rs . 
Bo th  h e a nd Mi ke sp ort ed shor ter, punki erha ircuts thath ea rkened bac k t o a simpler,  le ss sho wy  ti m e. As  Gr een D ay the band d eliveredth e  kindo f set y o u  m ight  see at Madison S q ua r e Garden, butscaled  d o wn f ora c lub not th at  much biggert ha n G ilm a n. As Sweet C hildren, th e y m ight a swel l  havebeenat Gil man, perfor ming  songs th at had n ’t been heard l ive si nce  be fore so me  of  t h e a u di enc e  me mbers we re  b orn.
I’d b e e n ya ppi ng a t the  band for yea rsto p l ay“DryIce,”  and  t onigh t they  fina ll y did. Realizin g th at they’d  ru nthr ou gh al m ost al l m y f avorite  earlyr ari ti e s ,  I  tweeted: “‘Dry Ic e’ a tlast. No w they ju st need topl ay‘Res t ’  andI ca n  g o home h appy.” Th ey  didn’t ,but Iwe nthom e hap p y an yway.Though I  must have seen Swee t  Children/Gre e nD a ya  cou ple  hundred ti meso verthey ea rs, thiswas e as i ly one of the best.

F ri day wa s anoff day for t hose of us w h o were m erel y  t h ere to watch,while  the bands and tech  crew s were b usy withr e hearsals  an d p rep ara t i on s for the mai n even ton Satu rda y night . M y f rie ndAl ex and Iwent toth eCl ev ela nd Mu s eum of A rt , w hi chI rem e mbered  from  the  1 97 0 s a s being pr e t ty s pi ff y, a ndwh ich s eems tohave sp iffed its elf up e ve nfurther  since then.
I t was an i nc red ibly b e a utiful s pring day, and while it ’ s hardtofindfaul t with sp rin g anyw her e , ther e’s so methi ng  in e f fably u ni que  a bout sprin g inthe M id west , espec ially to those ofu s w ho grew up th ere . My h om eto w no f D et r oit i s just the othe r side ofLa k eErie, andw hil ewe were  taught  to t h ink ofCleveland  as a sli gh tlyb a ckw ard little  brother  of a cit y , thi n gs  seem  to  be lo ok ing  up f or wha t  wa s onc e rude ly  dubbe d “th eMistakeon the Lake.”

Detroitcouldlearn  afew lesso nsf rom  Clevelan d, w hich, like  al l t he Ru stB elt c itie s ,has beenthro u gh some t o ug h t i m es . I was abl e t o g et ev ery w here v ia c onvenient, afford a ble trains and  bus e s , a ndt he l oc als were consi ste nt l y  helpful  a nd friendly , goingou t  of t heir w ay towish me a ne njoyab le t ime  in their  ci ty . 

I sta ye da t a ho teldi rectly  acros s  the s treet from the P ublic A udito r ium , the  s ite oft he i nduction c eremony and  a mag nifi centcity bl oc k-size d t hr owback to
 on_their last_tour. Billie Joe especially_was a_revelation,_looking younger,_healthier,_and more energetic_than he had_in years.

Both he and_Mike sported shorter,_punkier_haircuts that hearkened back to a simpler, less showy time. As Green Day the_band_delivered the_kind_of_set you might see at_Madison Square Garden, but scaled_down for_a club not that much bigger than Gilman._As_Sweet Children, they_might as well have been at Gilman, performing songs_that hadn’t been heard live since_before some of_the_audience_members were born.

I’d been_yapping at the band for years_to play “Dry Ice,” and tonight_they finally did. Realizing that they’d run_through almost all my favorite early_rarities, I tweeted: “‘Dry Ice’_at last._Now they just need to_play ‘Rest’ and_I can_go home happy.”_They didn’t, but I went home_happy anyway. Though_I must have seen Sweet Children/Green_Day_a couple hundred_times_over_the years,_this was easily_one_of the_best.

Friday_was an off day for those_of_us who were merely there to watch,_while the bands and_tech_crews were busy with_rehearsals and preparations for the_main event on Saturday night. My_friend Alex_and I_went to the Cleveland Museum of Art, which I remembered from_the 1970s as being pretty spiffy,_and which seems to_have spiffed_itself_up even further_since_then.

It was_an incredibly beautiful spring day, and while_it’s hard_to find fault with spring anywhere,_there’s something ineffably unique_about_spring in the Midwest, especially to_those of us who grew up_there. My hometown of Detroit_is_just_the other side of Lake_Erie, and while we were taught_to think of_Cleveland as a slightly backward little brother_of_a city, things seem to be_looking_up for what was once rudely_dubbed_“the_Mistake on the Lake.”

Detroit could_learn a few lessons from Cleveland,_which, like all the Rust Belt cities, has been_through some tough_times. I was able to_get_everywhere_via convenient, affordable trains and buses, and the locals were_consistently helpful_and friendly, going_out of their way to wish me an enjoyable time_in their city.

I stayed at a hotel_directly across the street from the Public Auditorium, the site of_the induction ceremony and a magnificent city block-sized_throwback to