Simple Plan‘s entire Down Under tour is currently sold out, with signs indicating full capacity displayed at all venues. The tour features support acts including Boys Like Girls, We the Kings, and Jax, contributing to the high demand and widespread audience interest. Tonight is the last stop of the tour at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney.
Simple Plan are from Montreal, Quebec. The band is made up of Pierre Bouvier on lead vocals, Chuck Comeau on drums, Jeff Stinco on lead guitar, and Sebastian Lefebvre on rhythm guitar and backing vocals.They are known for their catchy pop-punk melodies and relatable lyrics, they quickly gained a dedicated following with their debut album, ‘No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls,’ which included hits like ‘I’m Just a Kid’ and ‘Perfect.’ The band’s music often explores themes of teenage angst, heartbreak, and the struggles of growing up, resonating with a young audience around the world.
First up tonight, we’ve got JAX tearing up the stage, fresh off her cyber-stardom explosion. This TikTok darling, who’s snagged the eyes and ears of a cool 15 million followers, blasted into the charts with her 2022 hit, ‘Victoria’s Secret.’ She’s got a voice that packs a wallop and a stage presence that’s nothing short of electric. Now, she’s hypnotising the crowd with a rip-roaring cover of “Teenage Dirtbag,” before diving headlong into a tune dedicated to her favourite celebrity, Adam Sandler.
Blasting onstage are Florida’s own We The Kings. As the second song rolls around, they’re already conspiring with the crowd—turning the whole concert into a scene from their new music video. They save their massive hit ‘Check Yes Juliet,’ for last after also doing a cover of Oasis’s ‘Wonderwall’ and leading the crowd through a dance made up by singer Travis Clark’s daughters. These boys sure know how to put on a show.
Bursting through a thick haze of cigarette smoke, it’s Boys Like Girls, a band that’s shot up from the gritty depths of damp basements to the dizzy heights of rock superstardom. Since their teenage beginnings back in 2004, these guys have racked up half a billion Spotify streams, not to mention a slew of platinum and gold records. Tonight, they’re here to show us exactly why they’re the big deal. Decked out in black leather and animal print boots, they strut through their set, oozing a raw mix of New York Dolls’ punk flair and Elvis circa 1968. They’ve got that wild rock ‘n’ roll spirit, tearing up the stage like it’s the last night on earth. They even indulge in that timeless Australian tradition of doing a Red Bull shoey.
At last, it’s Simple Plan’s turn to seize the spotlight. Tonight, the Hordern Pavilion is a boiling pot of fandom diversity—from fresh-faced pre-teens to their rock-veteran mums and dads, all buzzing with anticipation. Many are dressed in animal-themed onesie costumes, I spot a Scooby Doo and a Kangaroo deep in the crowd. Then, like a bolt from the blue, there they are! Pierre Bouvier storms the stage, an unrelenting force of nature. With high kicks that could shatter ceilings and an energy that’s borderline nuclear, he steers the band through a barrage of hits. The crowd is absolutely hammered with confetti and carbon cannons blasting away, yet they eat it up, hungry for more. Simple Plan, ever the crowd-pleasers, are all too willing to keep the party blazing. The air is electric, the night unforgettable—this is rock and roll, served piping hot and just how the fans like it!
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