Simple Plan - June 1st. Concert Review.

Arriving at the Hordern Pavillion on the 1^st of June, I knew I was in for a fun night. Able to hear Simple Plan warming up in sound check gave me a taste of what I was in for later on. Even arriving a few hours before the doors were set to open; the line was already filled with fans, stretching far past the entrance.

After a few hours of waiting, the doors were opened, ‘synth power-pop’ act The Never Ever, taking the stage soon after. The young Sydney band played an energetic set, getting the crowd warmed up and ready for the main support act, We The Kings.

We The Kings played a fun, crowd involved set, impressing fans and even those who were previously unfamiliar with the band. The band finished their set by playing their hits ‘Say You Like Me’ and ‘Check Yes Juliet’, the obvious crowd favourites.

The moment which the crowd had been waiting for was next; Simple Plan graced the stage, opening with old favourite ‘Shut Up’. The Canadian pop-rockers played a variety of songs off all their albums, from 2002 debut ‘No Pads, No Helmets… Just Balls’ to their most recent release ‘Get Your Heart On!’, even throwing in a Maroon 5/LMFAO cover.

Front man Pierre Bouvier kept the crowd entertained in between songs, flaunting his great stage presence as did guitarist, David Desrosiers.

Upbeat singles from ‘Get Your Heart On!’ such as ‘Summer Paradise’ and ‘You Suck At Love’ seemed to be favourites as well as ‘Jet Lag’ in which the boys were joined on stage by 16 year old X-Factor contestant Christina Parie, filling in on guest female vocals, who impressed the audience with confidence and a great voice, living up to the original, sung by Natasha Bedingfield.

Soon after leaving the stage, the band was back for their first encore, and was soon back again for their second encore. They finished the concert with an acoustic set consisting of songs ‘Crazy’ and ‘Perfect’.

Overall, the boys put on a great show, keeping the crowd constantly entertained, and definitely not wanting the set to end.