Offspring – Target Center – Minneapolis MN – August 15th 2025

Live Nation and Target Center present Offspring with special guests Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Pop-punk isn’t dead. In fact, it’s louder than ever.

New Found Glory brought their signature high-energy, heart-on-sleeve performance to a packed Target Center on Friday night, delivering a show that reminded longtime fans—and a surprising number of new ones—why they’ve remained a cornerstone of the pop-punk scene for over two decades.

The night kicked off with support from Jimmy Eat World and The Offspring, creating a nostalgia-fueled triple-headliner that gave fans their money’s worth before NFG even hit the stage. But once the lights dimmed and Jordan Pundik sprinted out to the opening chords of “Understatement,” the energy in the arena hit a different level.

Setlist Highlights

New Found Glory balanced their set perfectly between classics and deeper cuts. Songs like “Hit or Miss,” “My Friends Over You,” and “All Downhill From Here” triggered explosive sing-alongs.

The set was only 45 minutes due to the opening slot. 

Crowd & Atmosphere

Minneapolis brought the heat. From the first song to the encore, fans were on their feet—crowd-surfing, moshing, and screaming every word. There was a sense of community in the room that only bands with deep-rooted fan loyalty can conjure. Even during rowdier moments in the pit, there was a visible “take care of each other” vibe among fans.

Stage Presence & Performance

NFG has never been about pyrotechnics or overproduction—and they didn’t need it. The band’s raw energy, tight musicianship, and goofy chemistry were more than enough. Jordan’s vocals were on point, Chad Gilbert’s guitar tone was as crunchy and bright as ever, and drummer Cyrus Bolooki held the whole thing down with his usual precision.

Gilbert also gave an emotional shoutout to the band’s 25+ year journey, thanking fans “who’ve been there since Nothing Gold Can Stay, and those who found us on TikTok.”

Final Thoughts

The show was a perfect blend of youthful rebellion and grown-up gratitude—a reminder that while we may all be getting older, good pop-punk never expires. New Found Glory proved once again that they’re not just survivors of their genre—they’re leaders who still know how to throw a damn party.

Rating: 9/10
A powerful night of music, sweat, nostalgia, and unity. If you’ve ever loved this band, or this genre, this tour is a must-see.

“Sweetness” still hits just as hard.

Jimmy Eat World took the stage Friday night with the kind of quiet confidence only a band with over 30 years of experience can pull off. Sandwiched between The Offspring’s punk firestorm and New Found Glory’s pop-punk mayhem, Jimmy Eat World brought a more introspective, emotionally charged energy to the lineup—and absolutely delivered.

From the moment the band opened with “Pain,” the crowd was hooked. Jim Adkins’ voice—crisp, earnest, and untouched by time—cut through the arena like it was 2004 all over again. The setlist leaned heavily on Bleed American, Futures, and Chase This Light, with a few deeper cuts thrown in for the diehards.

Setlist Highlights

• “Bleed American” – a furious, full-volume opener that lit the place up

• “Work” – with its moody, melodic verses and soaring chorus, it was a standout

• “Big Casino” – slowed things down and gave fans a moment to sway and sing

• “Sweetness” – easily the loudest sing-along of the night

• “The Middle” – closed their set, and the entire crowd became the choir

Adkins said little between songs, but when he did, it was meaningful: a heartfelt “Thank you for sticking with us—we feel lucky every single night to still do this.”

Performance & Vibe

The band was tight and dialed in, but never robotic. There’s something special about watching musicians who have been playing together for decades—they anticipate each other’s moves, ride dynamics together, and bring nuance to even the loudest anthems.

The sound mix was spot-on, with guitars shimmering just right and drums punching through without overwhelming Adkins’ vocals. Zach Lind’s drumming on “Futures” and “Big Casino” was particularly sharp.

Audience Connection

Jimmy Eat World’s crowd wasn’t the most rowdy of the night, but they might’ve been the most emotionally invested. Fans around the arena closed their eyes and belted out lyrics like they were reading pages from their high school journals. Another group fist-pumped through the chorus of “A Praise Chorus” like their lives depended on it.

Final Thoughts

Jimmy Eat World may not jump off amps or light up pyrotechnics—but they don’t need to. Their performance was grounded, powerful, and deeply sincere. It was a reminder that rock doesn’t always need to be loud to be life-changing. Sometimes, it just needs to say what you’re feeling—loud enough for you to sing along.

Rating: 8.5/10
A beautifully executed set that hit both the heart and the gut. Nostalgic, honest, and every bit as powerful as you’d hope.

Still pissed. Still loud. Still legendary.

When The Offspring took the stage in Minneapolis on Friday night, it was clear from the first riff that they had zero interest in slowing down. Despite being the longest-running band on the lineup, their energy was absolutely feral—like a punk rock punch to the face, and everyone in the arena loved every second of it.

The lights dropped, the crowd roared, and Dexter Holland’s unmistakable voice kicked off “Come Out and Play” with a fury that shook the rafters.

Setlist Highlights

• “Come Out and Play” – instantly ignited the pit

• “Staring at the Sun” – a rare live gem that longtime fans lost their minds over

• “Why Don’t You Get a Job?” – turned into a stadium-wide singalong

• “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” – easily one of the loudest moments of the night

• “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)” – had the whole place laughing, dancing, and shouting

• “Self Esteem” – closed the set in cathartic, headbanging style

The Performance

Dexter Holland hasn’t lost a step. His vocals were fierce, snarky, and sharp. Noodles was a madman on guitar—jumping, shredding, and grinning through every solo like it was his first show.

The band’s chemistry was electric. Every track felt tight but never stiff, and their ability to ride the wave of the crowd was masterful. Punk bands often burn out or fade—but The Offspring somehow still perform like they’ve got something to prove.

Crowd Energy

The pit was chaos—in the best possible way. Fans of all ages were moshing, shouting, and throwing fists in the air with pure joy. The band leaned into it, too—Noodles joked, “Hope your joints are still holding up!” before launching into “All I Want,” which promptly sent half the floor into a frenzy.

Even fans who were there primarily for Jimmy Eat World or New Found Glory were fully onboard by mid-set. The Offspring brought a sense of punk showmanship that simply refuses to age.

Final Thoughts

The Offspring proved that punk rock doesn’t have to mellow with time. Their set was loud, unfiltered, and unapologetically fun. Whether you’ve been a fan since Smash, or you discovered them through video game soundtracks, their live show is a full-body experience.

Rating: 9/10
A blistering reminder of why The Offspring still pack arenas—and why punk rock is alive and kicking.