LIVE FROM THE PIT: Simple Plan, Stand Atlantic and Charlotte Sands
After 25 years, many nostalgia acts rely on familiarity alone. Opening the European leg of their latest tour, SIMPLE PLAN instead demonstrated why they continue to pack venues worldwide, delivering a performance fuelled by high energy, crowd interaction and a catalogue of pop-punk anthems that have stood the test of time.
First up on the bill was solo artist CHARLOTTE SANDS. Performing with just a guitarist and drummer for company, she delivered one of the evening's most captivating sets. Stripping things back without sacrificing any intensity, SANDS relied on her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence to command the venue. Opening with None Of My Business, she immediately drew the crowd in before moving through fan favourites pity, use me and Back To You. The stripped-back setup made the room feel smaller than it was, with the songs taking centre stage, particularly during Afterlife and new track Go, which highlighted the strength of her songwriting. Meanwhile, neckdeep and Hush brought a welcome boost of energy, with the audience singing along throughout. Through her performance, she never allowed the momentum to dip, proving that charisma, strong songs and a commanding voice are sometimes all that is needed to win over a room.
As the second support act of the evening, STAND ATLANTIC arrived with the confidence of a band rapidly outgrowing support slots. Led by Bonnie Fraser, the Australian outfit delivered a vibrant, energetic performance, with pop punk hooks and alternative rock swagger. Choosing to open their set with Lucid before moving into fan favourites Lavender Bones and NEXT2U, the band quickly made an impression on the crowd. Tracks GIRL$, KILL[H]ER and Sex on the Beach showcased the band's heavier edge, with crunching guitars and driving rhythms. Later cuts including Velcro, ROCKSTAR and dumb demonstrated the band's knack for crafting huge choruses, while Hate Me (Sometimes) drew one of the loudest singalongs of their set. Closing with deathwish, STAND ATLANTIC left the crowd on a high, proving they possess both the catalogue and stage presence to command much larger stages in the near future.
Once they took to the stage, SIMPLE PLAN, made up of vocalist Pierre Bouvier, guitarists Jeff Stinco, and Sébastien Lefebvre, and drummer Chuck Comeau wasted little time in turning the packed venue into a celebration. Early bursts of confetti and jets of smoke immediately elevated the atmosphere as the band launched into a set packed with fan favourites. One of the evening's more nostalgic moments arrived early when Bouvier conducted an impromptu poll, asking how long members of the audience had been fans. Responses ranged from newcomers discovering the band for the first time through to supporters who had been following SIMPLE PLAN for 15 and even 20 years. The result served as a reminder of the band's enduring appeal, with multiple generations united by the same songs.
Musically, the set was as polished as ever. I'd Do Anything, Jump and Addicted showcased Comeau's relentless drumming alongside the driving guitar work of Stinco and Lefebvre, while Welcome To My Life transformed the venue into one enormous singalong. Behind the band, the video screens added another layer to the performance throughout the night, displaying lyrics, archive footage and comic book-style visuals that complemented the song's themes perfectly.
A standout moment arrived during Crazy, when Bouvier ventured out to a soundstage positioned within the middle of the crowd. Surrounded by fans from all sides, the performance felt more intimate despite the venue's size, highlighting the connection that has remained at the heart of SIMPLE PLAN's success. Later, Astronaut was accompanied by visuals from the music video on the large screens, adding further weight to one of the band's most beloved tracks.
The band's playful nature was evident throughout the night. Their long-standing association with Scooby-Doo remains a unique part of their identity and, as expected, the performance of the What's New Scooby-Doo? theme became one of the evening's best moments. Fans in costumes from the crowd joined the band on stage and those already on the side stage joined in with the celebrations, creating a scene that perfectly captured the band's fun loving core, on the most ridiculous way. The crowd required little encouragement all evening, singing virtually every lyric back at the band. Whether it was the uplifting escapism of Summer Paradise, the reflective emotion of Perfect, or the youthful exuberance of I'm Just A Kid, every track was met with the sort of response many bands spend entire careers chasing.
SIMPLE PLAN performed an encore that brought the evening to an emphatic conclusion. During I'm Just A Kid, Chuck Comeau launched himself into the crowd for a crowd surf, while Sébastien Lefebvre took over vocal duties and Pierre Bouvier temporarily stepped behind the drum kit. It was chaotic, energetic and perfectly in keeping with the band's playful approach to live performance.
As the final notes of Perfect rang out, one thing remained abundantly clear. While many artists spend years attempting to recapture former glories, SIMPLE PLAN have never really needed to. Their performance demonstrated a band still operating with the same enthusiasm, chemistry and consistency that made them pop punk staples in the first place. The mix of people of all different age ranges in the crowd cemented just how loved the band are and how their music has remained a constant in so many lives. Few acts manage to bridge that gap for as long as SIMPLE PLAN have. Twenty-five years into their career, they remain one of the most reliable live acts in the genre, and Manchester was more than happy to party alongside them.
Words: Lou Viner-Flood
Photos: Claire Cabanac
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