Live Review: Simple Plan - Relentless Garage, London - 8/6/11

Tonight marks the UK return of Canadian pop/rock outfit Simple Plan whose last visit was in late 2008, and as anyone who has seen them play live before will tell you, they never leave ticket holders feeling short-changed.

The band have previously made a habit of selling out 2,000+ capacity venues across the country, and with this venue having a capacity of only 550, this intimate performance is truly a treat in itself. The crowd is a mix of all ages, from those die-hards fans who were around at the release of their first record in 2002, to a new legion of kids who have only recently discovered the band through their recent associations with the new breed of pop/rock bands such as All Time Low and Boys Like Girls.

Back on the road in support of the release of their new album, ‘Get Your Heart On!’, their mission is to make sure that no one in the UK has forgotten who they are, and from the get go with opener, ‘Shut Up!’, you could already say their mission is accomplished.

“Quebec is in the house!” shouts guitarist Sebastien Lefebvre as he greets the sold out Relentless Garage in London, England. Fans have travelled from Mexico, Sweden and even Canada to be a part of tonight’s festivities and it's impossible to imagine anyone who has made a long trip feeling let down. The band make a triumphant live return to these shores and yet, somehow make it look so easy. Love them or hate them, it is widely recognized that Simple Plan are one the best live bands out there. Whether it’s headlining a stage at the predominantly metal Download festival, touring across North America on the Vans Warped Tour or sharing the same stage as System of a Down at the infamous Rock AM Ring festival in Germany, people of all music tastes have been impressed with the band's electric live performances.

Throughout the course of their 90+ minute show, Simple Plan serve up a packed set, jammed with fan favorites and the odd newer track. Even ten years on, other bands would still cut off their right arms to write songs as catchy as 'Addicted', or ‘Perfect’, with which the band still closes each set, night after night. Even the newer songs recieve uproarious singalong responses from the partizan crowd despite little press coveage or radio play, especially the infectious 'Can’t Keep My Hands Off You' and 'Jet Lag'.

To this day, Simple Plan are still much the same band as they were back when they began, not afraid of taking chances with trying new things. They retain legions of loyal fans worldwide who will not be moved, and with the much anticipated release of their fourth album not long away, there should be nothing stopping the band from coming back time and time again only to sell out larger venues.

5/5

Jon Ableson

Set list - Relentless Garage, London (06/08/11)

Shut Up
Take My Hand
Jump
When I'm Gone
Can't Keep My Hands off You
Addicted
Loser Of The Year
My Alien
Your Love Is a Lie
Freaking Me Out
Astronaut
Medley (Fuck You / Dynamite / Raise Your Glass)
Jet Lag
Thank You
Welcome to My Life
I'd Do Anything
The Worst Day Ever
I'm Just a Kid
Everytime (acoustic)
Perfect