Simple Plan has been solid. The Offspring was even more so. It was a completely crazy and totally insane Saturday at the Videotron Center.
• Read also: Offspring and Simple Plan at the Bell Center: an explosive evening
After several passages in Quebec, at the Agora, at the Coliseum and on the Plains, the Californians landed for the very first time in the “new” amphitheater on the occasion of the tour Let the Bad Times Roll.
No “tataouinage”, The Offspring launched this crazy evening with Come Out and Playfollowed by All I Want from the album Ixnay on the Hombre. It was going very strong.
Vocalist Dexter Holland and guitarist Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman then released the compliments. One of the most beautiful cities in the world. The most attractive crowd and the most beautiful smiles. It was in the pocket. After two songs.
It must be said that the public had been warmed up after the performance during the intermission. We were treated to big rock hits from the 80s in the piton and a “kiss cam” where some spectators had a blast and even a little more.
A blimp in the air and cameras circled the crowd to film people headbanging and dancing. The atmosphere was particularly weak and electric. Unheard of and above all an excellent idea from The Offspring.
Always solid on the boards, The Offspring has rarely given bad performances during its visits to Quebec, even if the voice of Dexter Holland no longer has the power of yesteryear. We were able to realize this on a few occasions, but hey, it moves the same way, as the 10,000 or so spectators present will certainly be able to testify.
Solid Single Plane
“Noodles” took control for a few minutes, accompanied by bassist Todd Morse, drummer Josh Freese and multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy, with excerpts from Tom Sawyer of Rush, The Trooper of Iron Maiden, crazy train by Ozzy Osbourne and Eruption by Van Halen.
The Californians of The Offspring were generous on the big tunes with the Hit That, Bad Habit, Gotta Get Awaya very beautiful Gone Awaydelivered with Dexter Holland, alone at the piano, Blitzkrieg Pop of the Ramones and the Pretty Fly (For a White Guy), The Kids Aren’t Allright, You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid and Self Esteem.
A big show that ended with the voice of Neil Diamond and the sweet carolina, sung by the public leaving the bleachers. Stupid. Just stupid as an atmosphere.
In the first part, the Simple Plan training gave a solid performance. Energetic vocalist Pierre Bouvier, guitarists Jeff Stinco and Sébastien Lefebvre and drummer Charles “Chuck” Comeau played as if they were the stars of the evening.
Landing on the boards to the sound of the Star Wars theme, Simple Plan launched its performance with I’d Do Anythingfollowed by Shut up! During Jump, people started jumping in unison.
“It’s not the first time we’ve been here. We know what kind of energy you can reproduce,” launched Pierre Bouvier.
After Marie-Mai, who accompanied the group on stage, Saturday evening, at the Bell Center, to jet lagit was Claudia Bouvette in Quebec.
Simple Plan hit the mark with the very “Oasisian” Your Love is a Lie, Iconic from the new album Harder Than it Looksa medley with All-Star by Smash Mouth, Sk8er Boy by Avril Lavigne and Mr Brightsidand Killers.
During I’m Just a Kid, drummer Chuck Comeau admitted that the reactions were a little stronger in Quebec than at the Bell Centre. He gave up his drums to indulge in a short, intense session of “body surfing” on the floor. We even got a visit from Champion, the mascot of the Remparts.
Their performance ended with Perfect and thousands of cellphones on and fans singing the lyrics. Solid.