Blink-182's Tom DeLonge Fell to His Knees and ‘Vomited’ During Paraguay Show Due to Heat Stroke
Tom DeLonge Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella
Tom DeLonge had a scary moment while performing for Blink-182 fans in South America. He shared a photo on Instagram two days after the band played in Asunción, Paraguay, captioned, "This was about one minute before heat stroke hit."
DeLonge experienced extreme heat during the performance on Tuesday, March 19th. In a photo, his shirt was drenched in sweat right before he became dehydrated and overwhelmed by the high temperatures.
He shared in the caption that he collapsed to the ground, his vision blurred, and then he stumbled to the side of the stage where he vomited. Despite the ordeal, he mentioned his appreciation for his Blink-182 bandmates, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, who covered for him while he recuperated.
Despite his years of experience performing live, DeLonge faced a new challenge with the intense heat. He mentioned, "This is something I've never experienced before. 95 degrees at 11pm on stage. But I pushed through and finished the show. That's what Navy Seals do..."
A fan account in Paraguay for Blink-182 shared a video of DeLonge leaving the stage after the band's song "More Than You Know." The post mentioned that Barker, 48, and Hoppus, 52, improvised a bit before playing the 43-second song "Happy Holidays, You Bastard" three times in a row.
Blink-182's Tom DeLonge Fell to His Knees and ‘Vomited’ During Paraguay Show Due to Heat Stroke
Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker. Courtesy of Tom DeLonge/Instagram
The band made some last-minute changes to their setlist, swapping out ‘Turpentine’ and ‘Aliens Exist’ for ‘Always’ and ‘Man Overboard’ to give Tom DeLonge a break. Tom mentioned during the show that he had vomited but was feeling better. Despite this, he still gave it his all with pure determination and energy.
According to SetList.FM, the band performed an additional 15 songs, concluding with “All the Small Things” and “Dammit” before coming back for an encore with “One More Time.”
Blink-182 is scheduled to perform at Lollapalooza Brasil from Friday, March 22, to Sunday, March 24. Following their time in Brazil, they will be heading to Mexico for a series of shows. Their next U.S. performance will be on June 20 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The trio, who reunited with DeLonge in 2022 after a seven-year break, will be touring the States throughout the summer before concluding their tour with a few dates in the U.K.
Editor's P/S:
Tom DeLonge's experience serves as a reminder of the physical demands that musicians face on stage, particularly in extreme temperatures. While seasoned performers like DeLonge may be accustomed to pushing through challenges, it's crucial to prioritize their well-being and adjust setlists or take breaks when necessary to prevent serious health consequences.
Despite the incident, DeLonge's unwavering determination and the support of his bandmates allowed them to deliver a memorable performance for their fans in South America. Their ability to improvise and adapt to unforeseen circumstances showcases their professionalism and dedication to their craft. The band's upcoming performances in Brazil, Mexico, the U.S., and the U.K. will undoubtedly be filled with the same energy and passion, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to their fans.