A Pop-Punk Reunion: Amy Shark and Mark Hoppus Electrify Melbourne
Music enthusiasts in Melbourne witnessed a nostalgic crossover on Wednesday evening, March 18, as Blink-182 co-founder Mark Hoppus invited Australian indie-pop sensation Amy Shark to the stage. The duo delivered a stirring rendition of the 1997 punk-rock anthem, “Dammit,” much to the delight of a packed audience.
Armed with an acoustic guitar, the Gold Coast singer-songwriter joined Hoppus, who handled his signature bass duties. Reflecting on the experience on social media, Shark expressed her gratitude, calling the collaboration an “incredible” and “extremely EMOtional” milestone in her career. The performance served as a testament to the long-standing creative bond between the two artists.
Hoppus is currently traversing Australia for his FAHRENHEIT-182 book tour. The speaking circuit, which debuted to a sold-out crowd at Melbourne’s Recital Hall, offers an intimate look into the musician’s life. Throughout the tour, Hoppus candidly discusses his mental health journey during Blink-182’s meteoric rise, his complex relationship and eventual reconciliation with bandmate Tom DeLonge, and his high-profile victory over cancer.
This appearance further cements Shark’s unique connection to the pop-punk legends, as she has now collaborated with every member of the band’s classic lineup. Her history with the trio includes:
- Mark Hoppus: Featured on the track “Psycho” from her 2018 debut, Love Monster.
- Travis Barker: Contributed to the 2020 single “C’MON,” featured on her 2021 follow-up, Cry Forever.
- Tom DeLonge: Joined forces for “My Only Friend” on her 2024 album, Sunday Sadness.
Shark’s commercial track record remains impeccable, with all three of her studio albums reaching the summit of the ARIA Albums Chart. She is currently preparing for the release of her fourth project, soft pop, scheduled for Friday, July 31. Led by the provocative single “The Biggest Dick,” the upcoming collection was written entirely by Shark and produced by Dann Hume. According to the artist, the record explores “completely different sounds and topics” that she finally felt ready to articulate.
The FAHRENHEIT-182 tour, produced by Live Nation, continues its run through Melbourne before concluding with a final engagement at the iconic Sydney Opera House on Saturday, March 21.
