LONDON, Ont. - The best rock concert of 2005 ignited and illuminated the John Labatt Centre with Green Day power last night.

Of course, there are many months to come -- but it will take a huge effort by fans and bands to improve on the combination of those joyful punks Green Day and the most animated big crowd seen at a London concert in years.

U.S. rock band Green Day had the crowd of 9,300 fans up and shouting from the opening blast of American Idiot, title track and opening cut of their hit CD.

"I want you to sing so loud that every American redneck can hear," charismatic frontman Billie Joe Armstrong called out. The album's credo is about choosing to reject becoming an American idiot or surrendering to the rednecks and the mainstream.

Almost two hours later, the show's four-song encore ended on an iconic image. It was Armstrong and his guitar, alone on a walkway surrounded by a throbbing mass of happy fans, after singing the band's big hit Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).

"You're the leaders," he told the crowd late in the concert, in keeping with the punk rock message of distrusting elected officials.

"Don't let the b---ards direct your life."

Opening for Green Day was New Jersey punk rock band My Chemical Romance, who did a good job heating up the fans for Green Day.

After that, it was rock mayhem for almost two glorious hours.

Non-stop crowd energizer Armstrong and his no-quit Green Day bandmates -- bassist and vocalist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool -- are being helped by at least three touring musicians.

Months after its release, the surprisingly serious and amazingly singable American Idiot is still a Top 10 recording in Canada.

Management says it will eventual surpass Green Day's 12-million-selling 1994 breakthrough, Dookie.

American Idiot's epic Jesus of Suburbia appeared early in the set, with all its complicated twists and stops. "This is dedicated to you," Armstrong said before starting the song's journey through a teenage wasteland of TVs getting fixed, crucifixes and not caring.

Later, American Idiot's quietly sad Wake Me Up When September Ends and its punk ode to angst, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, also received excellent treatments.

A real boost came from the thousands of young fans -- who had the stamina to keep up with Armstrong, Dirnt and Cool. It was estimated that as many as 80 per cent of the fans at last night's sold-out show were under 19. If so, they are probably too young to know London audiences aren't supposed to stand, cheer, sing or pump fists for two hours of fun, pyro blasts and fast, fast songs.

Known as a great party band, Green Day likes to bring its fans up on stage.

Last night, one of its touring tricks had a drummer, bassist and a guitarist -- whose name sounded like "Jeffrey" -- invited aboard to play a tune by ska-punkers Operation Ivy. The instant trio nailed it. The bassist made a spectacular leap into the audience at Armstrong's suggestion and "Jeffrey" left the stage with a guitar. He could later be seen jumping along with everybody else on the floor as Green Day blazed into the night.

"That was the best band we've ever had so far," Armstrong said. The same could be said of last night's other, more famous trio -- Green Day.