All-star punk rock tour stops in Cincinnati with The Offspring, Simple Plan, Sum 41

THE OFFSPRING, SUM 41,

SIMPLE PLAN
RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER
CINCINNATI, OHIO | AUGUST 30, 2023

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

Long time punk rockers The Offspring have captivated fans with their live shows for more than three decades and they continue to do so with spunk and vigor.

Last night at Riverbend in Cincinnati, a packed crowd—the band mentioned it was like a Saturday night crowd on a Wednesday night—rocked out with original vocalist Dexter Holland and guitarist Noodles alongside a full band.

With a ten album catalogue, the Cali based band choose mostly hits to perform as well as the title track from their most recent album Let The Bad Times Roll, released in 2021. The setlist included: “All I Want,” “Gotta Get Away,” “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy),” “Come Out And Play,” “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid,” “Gone Away” (during which Holland took to a piano for a stripped down, emotionally charged version), “Self Esteem,” “Why Don’t You Get A Job” and many others that carried into the 90-minute set.

Holland and Noodles had humorous asides between each other during the set; humor that matched the pre-show audience cams (Kiss Cam, Booty Cam, F-You Cam, Headbang Cam) that were hosted by the Ixnay On The Hombre “Intermission” voice.

Although fans didn’t hear a cover of The Clash, the audience did hear a well-received version of The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop.” A memorable night of punk rock by talented musicians that continue to generationally keep punk alive and well.

Canada’s punk rock four-piece Simple Plan’s energy was contagious with their splintering jumps and kicks. The band released Harder Than It Looks in May, their first album since 2016, and from it they performed “Iconic;” however, they stuck with hits from previous albums that included “Addicted,” “I’d Do Anything,” and “Welcome To My Life.”

Halfway through, the band released beach balls and blended somewhat of a party punk-pop crowd sing along medley of familiar songs “Sk8er Boy” (Avril Lavigne), “All Star” (Smash Mouth) and “Mr. Brightside” (The Killers). They also brought out an energetic costumed Scooby Doo during a performance of “What’s New Scooby Do?” A fun set with a lasting impression.

Recently announcing that they are disbanding after 27 years, this tour could possibly be a final ride on the road for Sum 41.

Opening the tour, the punk rock attitude was alive and well with frontman Deryck Whibley’s aggressive motions and antics. Hailing from Canada the band took radio by storm in the early 2000’s and they repped that time period well on stage with performances from albums All Killer No Filler and Does This Look Infected.

It felt like they aren’t going anywhere as their energy and connectivity matched that of their Vans Warped Tour 2001 performance. Despite the band ending, we at least have one final (double) album to look forward to: Heaven x Hell.

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THE OFFSPRING (click photos to enlarge)