...And this on is for the kids
There's a lot to be said for a pop punk that maintains its fan base today in this fickle world of "scene" and hype. Simple Plan have sold out two nights at the Astoria-and it's their first time ever playing two sold out nights at the same venue in a row, regardless of whether you're a fan of their sugary pop punk, that is impressive in any context.
The boys make it very clear why and how they've carried out both endeavours in their live show-they are exceedingly good at making their crowd happy. They bounce around like it's their first show, they deliver their music to the screaming mass of kids bounding on the floor of the venue with enthusiasm, if not a slight cheesy air about them. However one must keep in mind 80 % of tonight's crowd is under 15, the other 20% is filled up with their parents, so their kid friendly demeanour is not gone under appreciated-the kids lap it up. All of Simple Plans songs are preformed with professionalism and a degree of enthusiasm to match that of the crowds energy, bearing in mind that these kids have been queuing outside from about 1 this afternoon, they were there to make the most of this show and on both parts of crowd participation and performance, they delivered.
The shrieks of girly feverishness rivalling that of any home grown boy band that could ever tread the Astoria boards-all their hits are played to great reception and some surprises were creatively sprinkled in for good measure-a cover of The Turtles 'Happy Together' and a mash up of sorts which had singer Pierre rapping Jay Z, 50 cent and Lil Jon. I've never heard anything quite like this pop punk rap hybrid and though in jest it may have been, it was more bizarre than anything else-a certain memorable moment that's for sure. Merry versions of I'm Just A Kid, Shut Up, the Bon Jovi-esque Me Against the World, Grow Up, I'd Do Anything all made there way across the spine of the Astoria keeping the energy levels of these adolescents at an all time high-like entertainers at a childrens party drawing high pitched squeals upon every move, jump and call to the crowd.
Like it or not, there is no doubt that Simple Plan are very good at what they do-they keep their fans happy, and they know how to give them what they want and more-leaving them all smiling wide and sweating profusely. One can't help but think they could very well be the Bon Jovi of their genre-the guilty pleasures that know how to serve themselves as a gateway drug in a fine tuned specified manner. Simple Plan are exactly what they seem-simple, fun and kid friendly in all aspects of their anything but sub par pop party performance.