Last Friday I headed down to London’s Eventim Apollo to check out an evening of pop-punk and emo nostalgia displayed by State Champs, Mayday Parade and Simple Plan, and damn it felt like a triple headline show. The venue was packed out from barrier to back door as soon as the show started, with an infectious excitement brewing fuelled by what felt like a Kerrang’s greatest hits playlist hyping up the crowd.
State Champs were first to take the stage, bringing their signature blend of pop punk to the forefront, the crowd was immediately ignited with unrelenting energy. I’ve seen State Champs a few times over the years and their energy and stage presence never fails to impress, they really know how to work a crowd of fans and new listeners alike.
Their set list incorporated the perfect blend of songs including some old school State Champs anthems like “Elevated”, “All you are is history” and “secrets” – which were of course huge crowd pleasers. They ended their set with “Everybody but you”, a huge track of their most recent album “Kings of the New Age” which had the crowd – including myself – screaming at the top of their lungs with the songs catchy lyrics we could all relate to, with everyone having an ex lover or friend in mind. Before leaving us they even teased a new album was in the works, we cannot wait to hear it! The cathartic power of pop punk was present throughout and the tone was firmly set for the rest of the night as one to never forget.
By the time Mayday Parade took to the stage the crowd was positively warmed up and ready for a set of emo throwbacks. This was my first time seeing Mayday Parade after being a fan for over 10 years and it felt long overdue. As the first notes of “Oh Well, Oh Well” filled the venue, it was evident that the night was going to be a celebration of the band’s enduring legacy immediately setting an emotional tone that would resonate throughout their set.
The band effortlessly transitioned from one hit to another, creating a musical narrative that spanned their impressive career. The crowd, a mix of long-time fans and newcomers, responded with fervour, singing along to every word as if transported back to the moments when these songs first became the soundtrack of our lives.
Highlights of the set for me had to be “Jamie All Over” and “I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About” with them being anthems of my teen years. Having been a fan for so long and finally seeing them live, they exceeded all expectations with their performance and presence.
To end the perfect night of early 2000’s nostalgia, Simple Plan brought a wave of pop-punk to London in a high-energy live performance that had fans singing, dancing, and reliving the good ol’ days. To my surprise, the band came onto stage with the Star Wars theme song blasting which definitely picked any potential tired fans right back up and built up an unrelenting anticipation for what we were all about to witness.
Their set kicked off with the explosive “I’d Do Anything,” setting the tone for a trip down memory lane. Simple Plan’s energy was infectious from the start, with the band’s camaraderie evident as they seamlessly transitioned from one hit to another. The crowd roared in approval as the unmistakable riff of “Shut Up!” filled the venue, followed by “You Suck at Love.” The setlist perfectly showcased the band’s evolution over the years, with the emotional ballads like “Your Love Is a Lie” and “Addicted” eliciting heartfelt sing-alongs from the crowd. Simple Plan’s ability to balance high-energy tracks with emotionally charged ballads kept the audience engaged and emotionally invested throughout the night.
“Welcome to My Life” and “Iconic” maintained the momentum, with the crowd enthusiastically joining in on the anthemic choruses. The band even surprised fans with a medley that seamlessly blended “All Star,” “Sk8er Boi,” and “Mr. Brightside,” creating a nostalgic mashup that had the audience singing along with every word. To add to the list of songs you can’t help but sing along to – no matter how hard you try – we had “What’s New Scooby Doo”, it wouldn’t be a Simple Plan show without it, and everyone dressed up as the mystery gang would certainly not have left disappointed.
Another standout moment occurred when Derek DiScanio of State Champs joined Simple Plan on stage for a powerful rendition of “Where I Belong”, the collaboration adding an extra layer of excitement to the night, highlighting the sense of unity within the pop-punk community that was very much present in the audience.
As the set drew to a close the quintessential Simple Plan anthem “I’m Just a Kid,” brought the night to a triumphant close, leaving fans with a sense of nostalgia and satisfaction.
In conclusion, the night was a testament to the enduring appeal of the iconic pop-punk and nostalgic emo sound. State Champs, Mayday Parade and Simple plan had all perfectly curated a setlist, spanning their careers and blending old favourites with new gems, which created a well-rounded and exhilarating concert experience. Simple Plan’s ability to connect with the audience through their infectious energy and timeless hits made this London show a celebration of the band’s legacy, leaving fans with a renewed appreciation for the enduring power of pop-punk.
Check out the rest of the photos from all bands captured throughout the night!
Josephine Best
Photographer & Music Journalist based in East London
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