Simple Plan blows the roof off our summer paradise

Set against the back drop of the beautiful Hard Rock Hotel, French-Canadian pop-punk band Simple Plan stunned a packed crowd at The Coliseum last night with their deliciously deafening sound and energy.

The rambunctious band was in Singapore last evening for their Taking One for the Team tour.

The group, made up of Pierre Bouvier (lead vocals), David Desrosiers (backing vocals), Chuck Comeau (drummer), Sebastien Lefebvre (guitarist) and Jeff Stinco (lead guitarist), were at the top of their game last night, much to the delight of the 1,600-strong audience.

Singing to a crowd of mostly young adults, who probably grew up with the sounds of Simple Plan’s emotional and raw lyrics, the five-man band delivered an electric performance that was both nostalgic and progressive.

While most of their setlist featured tracks from Taking One for the Team, their fifth studio album, such as ‘Singing in the Rain’, ‘Farewell’, and ‘Opinion Overload’, they managed to sneak in classic blasts from the past.

We were instantly brought back to our childhood when they sang older hits like ‘I’m Just a Kid’, ‘Welcome to My Life’, and ‘Perfect’. If you were there, you might have shed a tear (or two) as you witnessed how years of repressed childhood angst took over the crowd.

With every Simple Plan song, be it old or new, the fans still screamed along to every line while waving their hands enthusiastically (some had a couple of cigarette lighters) in the air, moving in sync with the music.

We were also treated to a bag of surprises that included huge beach balls being bounced around, and the classic ol’ smoke machine. (Because what is a rock concert without one, right?)

“We just want to see you guys completely let go and lose yourself in the music tonight,” cried the band, before launching into a medley of pop covers that included the likes of Bruno Mars and The Weeknd.

After the audience chanted for an encore, the band promptly reappeared on stage and sang four extra songs for the already pumped up crowd.

For a band that has been in the scene for 15 years, the members were extremely humble. They paused many times to compliment the crowd, the city, and shared how thankful they were to be standing on a Singapore stage for the second time.

They even indulged in some fan service. After spotting a girl’s sign that requested for a hug, they invited her on stage, hugged her and even took pictures with her!

The only complaint I have about their concert last night? They left out iconic Simple Plan hits such as ‘Astronaut’, ‘When I’m Gone’ and ‘Addicted’. Considering how most of the crowd was made up of people who are actually fans of their older hits, this was quite disappointing.

While the crowd left me with ringing ears and a sore throat – tell-tale signs of a great concert – it all worked out in the end. Overall, it was an incredible night and I wish I could experience it again!