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It Wasn’t Just a Phase: Simple Plan Headlines a Sold-out Show at Jacob’s Pavilion
- Madison Cozzens
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Simple Plan Celebrates their 25th Anniversary with an Electric North American Tour
Article Contributed by Madison Cozzens. Photography by Madison Cozzens.
Simple Plan has been pure pop-punk since they formed in 2001, since then they have enthralled fans with energetic performances and meaningful lyrics. The band’s Bigger Than You Think! Tour – The Sequel! is a celebration of 25 years of the band. The venue was sold out, the fans were giddy, the stage was set, and Simple Plan delivered.
Double the Openers, Double the Fun
Simple Plan had two iconic 2000s and 90s bands perform as their opening acts. 3oh!3 was the first to perform and started the night with a bang. Their upbeat electronic sound has been a staple of party music, and Cleveland showed up for the party.
The venue was filled with jumping bodies and people singing along to the tongue-in-cheek lyrics. 3oh!3 gained popularity in 2008 with the release of their hit single “Don’t Trust Me”. The song has stayed one of their most popular through the years and continues to get people out on the dance floor. The duo had everyone who arrived early at the venue pumped up and ready for the rest of the night.
At the end of their set, the band’s hand signal went up throughout the venue as cheers roared through the crowd. 3oh3! hasn't released a full album since 2021, but that didn’t stop Cleveland from showing up for a fun and energetic performance.
Disney Channel and Music Still on MTV
Bowling for Soup was up next, and they kept the not-so-serious tone going. The group is well-known for their silly lyrics, upbeat instrumentals, and funny live performances. During the show, they paused their set to give fans “an authentic Bowling for Soup photo opportunity,” with the three band members strutting around the stage and posing for the cameras. While you may know the band for their hits like “1985”, “Almost”, or “Punk Rock 101”, there is one that is arguably their most popular.
Bowling For Soup is the band behind the theme song from the Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb. When they sang the opening line, “There’s 104 days of summer vacation…” the crowd jumped in excitement. While the song lasted a minute, kids and adults alike were jamming along to the theme song and inserting the character lines throughout. Bowling for Soup is an iconic band for a reason; their humor and catchy songs make them “easily the 9th greatest pop-punk band in history” (according to their website).
Simple Plan Kicks the Door Down
At 9:15 pm, Simple Plan took the stage. The venue went dark as the giant LED screen played clips across the band’s history commemorating their 25 years of making music. The group started their set with “I’d Do Anything”, with smoke cannons and confetti raining down on the crowd at the end. It felt more like a grand finale than an opening, but it sent the tone for the final performance of the night. Frontman Pierre Bouvier was bringing the energy, running around the stage and jumping off platforms. The entire venue was headbanging to the beat and screaming the lyrics. It was everything you could want from a pop-punk show, and there was still an hour and a half left.
Simple Plan is a staple in any Y2K pop-punk playlist. The group played all of their hits, including “Addicted”, Perfect”, and “Welcome to My Life”. Thanks to a popular TikTok trend, one of the group’s most well-known songs is “I’m Just a Kid”. 20 years after the song was released, Simple Plan went viral and exposed their music to a whole new generation.
During their performance of the song, drummer Chuck Comeau swapped spots with singer Pierre Bouvier. Corneau threw himself into the crowd, and Cleveland carried him around the pavilion. The drummer crowd-surfed as Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup took the mic and finished the song. It was an electric and memorable moment for everyone in the venue, especially those who held Corneau over their heads. The camaraderie felt between the bands and the fans made for a joyous experience.
Switching it Up
About halfway through the set, the band took a moment to slow things down, performing “Astronaut”. Phone flashlights popped up across the venue, turning the darkness into a sea of lights. Pierre then made his way over to a small B-stage, set up with a piano at the back of the pit. The rest of the band got a break, as his voice and the piano were the only sounds playing through the speakers. Emotions ran high through the performance, with fans holding each other and swaying to the music.
Before Pierre made his way back to the stage, he took a detour during the song “Promise”. He made his way high into the bleachers, stopping to interact with the crowd. While it is often those who arrive early to get barricade who get band interactions, Simple Plan made sure that everyone felt included. Many of the fans who got close to the singer had excitement and shock on their faces, making for an unforgettable experience.
What’s New Scooby Doo?
Simple Plan is not only a band for the emo kids and the punk rockers, but for the Scooby Doo fans as well. The band sings the theme song for What’s New Scooby Doo, a popular cartoon that aired in the early 2000s. Plenty of fans showed up in Scooby Doo merch, onesies, costumes, and outfits.
Simple Plan really embraces the fandom, selling merchandise and playing the theme at every show. They gathered everyone who was dressed up and brought them on stage while they played “What’s New Scooby Doo”. The stage was filled with Scooby-Doos and Mystery Gang members singing along while clips of the band's cameo on the show played on the screen (S2E9). It was another way for Simple Plan to show their appreciation and love for their fans.
Nothing Lasts Forever
“Perfect” was the final song of the night, a poignant way to end the night. The song speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like they aren’t enough or haven’t felt supported in their choices. Despite the somber subject, it really brought everyone together. The crowd once again got out their phone flashlights, swaying side to side, singing along from a place deep within. The acoustic beginning crescendoed into a bombastic finish, coming full circle with confetti once again raining on the crowd. Like the song states, “nothing lasts forever...”, but everyone was grateful for the time they had together in that venue. It was a perfect way to end the night.
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