According to a rumor from a Chicago radio station, Blink-182 will reunite with Tom DeLonge in 2023 for an arena tour.
Reports from Cumulus Media’s Vice President of Rock Programming Troy Hanson indicate that Blink-182 will soon embark on a North American arena tour, marking the return of original member Tom DeLonge.
Hanson broke the news to their devoted following on Chicago’s Best Alternative Rock Station Q101’s Brian, Ali & Justin Podcast.
Tom DeLonge on the possible blink-182 reunion
Hanson said on their podcast that “Tom DeLonge has rejoined blink-182,” and that the band will be performing at Chicago’s United Center. That’s my present to Live Nation for putting up this show in late October with Panic! Around the Dance Floor. To paraphrase Blink-182, I just blew your nut. “I’m not sorry,” Hanson said.
Although the band has not officially confirmed the reunion with DeLonge or set any tour dates, it seems that Hanson has inside information on the matter. Confirmation of the Chicago gig would put it on the reported North American arena tour.
Below, you can listen to Hanson’s radio announcement of the news on Chicago’s Q101.
Following their January 2015 split with DeLonge, Blink-182 brought in Alkaline Trio vocalist Matt Skiba to replace him. Skiba can be heard in both California (2016) and NINE (2019) from the band. DeLonge and Mark Hoppus formed Blink-182 in 1992.
The band announced their split on social media, saying, “We were all ready to perform this festival and produce a new album and Tom kept pushing it off without explanation. His manager emailed us the week before our booked studio time, saying, “He doesn’t want to be a part of any Blink-182 projects forever; he’d rather focus on his other non-musical activities.” There should be no bitter feelings, but we owe it to the audience to keep the performance going.
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After Blink-182 released a statement, DeLonge made his own post to explain his place in the group at the time.
I never left the band, DeLonge assured his audience. When the strange press releases began flooding in, I was in the middle of a phone conversation regarding a blink-182 show in New York City. The band apparently “sanctioned” such releases. To answer your question: sure, we are a dysfunctional group. But, Jesus Christ!
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Mark Hoppus dispelled internet speculations this summer that Tom DeLonge would be rejoining Blink-182 for the band’s 30th-anniversary tour.
After multiple media sites speculated on a possible Blink-182 reunion, Hoppus clarified on his Discord channel, “There is no news to give.” To quote the statement, “There is no statement. Blink-182 has been around for 30 years today!
Hoppus recently told PEOPLE that he, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker got back together in April of 2021 after Hoppus was diagnosed with cancer and have been in contact ever since.
For the first time in what seemed like five years, all three of us were in the same room, Hoppus told PEOPLE. Better than it used to be, in fact. The meeting was not planned. No resentment has built up over time. Very much like what it should have been: just three buddies hanging around.
I keep making songs, and I’m open to whatever the next step of Blink is, Hoppus said. To paraphrase, “I have faith in humanity’s ability to overcome. I’m simply happy to be in this place.
Tom DeLonge told Zane Lowe of Apple Music 1 in September 2021 that he and Hoppus had been “able to totally restore” their bond after getting back together when Hoppus was fighting cancer and DeLonge was going through a divorce.
Tom DeLonge said during their interview with Lowe, “Now, we chat numerous times a day.” To paraphrase, “We’ve been able to totally restore that relationship and truly cut to the core of who we are as humans and what this is all about.”
The return of Blink 182 to DeLonge’s Instagram profile, which now says “I produce music (Blink 182 and Angels & airwaves),” caused a frenzy among his followers. Also in July, DeLonge posted a vintage black and white shot of the group. Fans commented on the picture, asking whether it was a sign and what it may represent.
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It’s been reported that Skiba has just resumed touring with his previous band, Alkaline Trio, adding fuel to the fire of speculation about a possible Blink-182 reunion between DeLonge and the rest of the band.
As of yet, neither DeLonge nor Blink-182 have commented on the unfolding narrative.
According to their official website, Blink-182 is not presently planning any concert appearances.