Simple Plan, Sheffield Arena
Admittedly I’ve been looking forward to this gig for a long time. Initially my seats weren’t prefect (until my @punktastic powers intervened and I got upgraded to standing) but not even a miserable afternoon in rainy Sheffield could sway me for once into remembering this was probably more of a “pop” show than a “punk” gig. But who cares. On with the show…
Tonight SIMPLE PLAN look as playful and cuddly as ever. Well come on, anyone who can sing, “I’d do anything, just to fall asleep with you…..” gets my vote for providing good lines to say to my girlfriend when she falls out with me next. The band have been trekking Europe with Avril for quite sometime, and this being their last show on this side of the Atlantic are making a special effort to remind people they have a new album coming out in October. Despite the fact most of the building is rammed with screaming Avril fans who haven’t heard of Simple Plan and think because that because they’ve got converse trainers and a sweat band on they are “punk.” Although Simple Plan probably did piss on their chips a little, in the infamous, “we say it, you shout it” game with the crowd, front man Pierre decide that after a few “yeah’s” and “yeah – yeah’s” he would drop a “shut the fuck up” in the mixing bag, to which all the parents in the building probably thought, “Santa won’t be bringing this album down the chimney….”
To be fair Simple Plan did play well, and they held the crowd, and their songs are of good nature and good quality. “Me Against The World,” “Addicted,” and obviously “I’d Do Anything” as well as a couple of new tracks, “Perfect World” and “Shut Up,” all went down really well, proving why they have been admired as a hard working pop punk band in the U.S. Tonight they even had a chance to stick in a quick rendition of the Darkness’ “I Believe In A Thing Called Love,” proving it’s not just that lycra lover Justin Hawkins who can reach that pre-puberty squeal. (9)
After Simple Plan, on came Avril. Punktastic loves Avril and we always have. You do too. Admit it. Avril gets 10. (Actually she was really, really good.)
Pete
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