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Philly Was Just a Kid Again with Simple Plan
- Rebecca McDevitt
- Sep 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 13
Philadelphia, PA – August 30, 2025 | Skyline Stage at The Mann
Photos & Show Review by Rebecca McDevitt
On a late-summer Saturday night, the Skyline Stage at The Mann transformed into a time machine. Thousands of fans gathered under the Philly sky, ready to scream, laugh, and maybe even cry with Simple Plan. By the end of the night, one thing was clear: Philly was just a kid again.
Photo by Rebecca McDevitt
A Pop-Punk Playground
The party started early thanks to a stacked lineup. LØLØ opened with raw, confessional lyrics and cheeky stage presence, pulling the crowd closer before Bowling for Soup took things full-blast with “1985” and their trademark banter. 3OH!3 kept the chaos alive with “Don’t Trust Me” and a sea of hands thrown up in the air. By the time Simple Plan hit the stage, the Skyline had already turned into a pop-punk playground.
Photo by Rebecca McDevitt
Simple Plan’s Time Machine
Pierre, Chuck, Jeff, and Sébastien stormed the stage like no time had passed since their early 2000s breakthrough. They tore into “I’d Do Anything” and “Shut Up!” and instantly had the crowd bouncing. Fans weren’t just watching — they were part of the show, yelling every lyric back like muscle memory.
Photo by Rebecca McDevitt
The band leaned into nostalgia while keeping things unpredictable. A mid-show mashup of Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi,” and The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” turned the skyline into the loudest karaoke session in the city. Then came one of the most iconic moments of the night: fans dressed as Scooby-Doo storming the stage during “What’s New Scooby-Doo?” The mix of chaos and pure joy was peak Simple Plan energy.
From Chaos to Catharsis
For every playful moment, there was a song that pulled the heartstrings. Pierre sat down at the piano for “Untitled (How Could This Happen to Me?),” and suddenly the entire lawn was glowing with phone lights. Strangers swayed shoulder to shoulder, belting out the words through tears. It was a reminder that these songs are more than hits — they’re lifelines fans still carry with them.
Photo by Rebecca McDevitt
LØLØ rejoined the band for “Jet Lag,” bringing a fresh spark to one of Simple Plan’s biggest duets. The collaboration bridged generations of pop-punk fans, creating a moment that felt both new and nostalgic.
Closing the Circle
Of course, no Simple Plan show is complete without “I’m Just a Kid.” When the opening riff hit, the entire crowd erupted, pogo-jumping and screaming like it was 2002 all over again. The band closed the night with “Perfect,” sending fans home teary-eyed, cathartic, and grateful for songs that still feel timeless.
Photo by Rebecca McDevitt
Simple Plan’s Bigger Than You Think! tour is proof that these songs never belonged to just one moment in time. In Philly, they reminded everyone that pop-punk isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about community, release, and joy. On August 30, every single fan left the Mann knowing one truth: we might grow up, but with Simple Plan, we’ll always be just kids at heart.
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