Pop Break Live: Blame Canada Tour featuring Simple Plan & Set It Off at The Fillmore Silver Spring, Maryland – May 4, 2022
Words + Photos by David Weaver
The night was originally scheduled to be a punk rock festival of fond nostalgia with Sum 41 and Simple Plan performing at Fillmore Silver Spring, alongside openers Set It Off.
Sum 41 and Simple Plan, who are co-headlining for the first time, are celebrating the 20-year anniversary of their debut albums– All Killer No Filler and No Pads, No Helmets . . . Just Balls” respectively. It was set to be a truly epic concert. Unfortunately, due to a last-minute medical issue, Sum 41 had to cancel their performance for the night.
However, the spirit of punk rock is one fueled by perseverance and being true to yourself and your desires. Undeterred, the line of fans waiting to be let inside the Fillmore easily stretched around the block. Undeterred, the 2,000 capacity venue slowly, steadily, purposefully filled up with more and more fans. Undeterred, the crowd sang along to Fall Out Boy’s “We’re Going Down, Sugar,” while waiting for Set It Off to start the evening off.
And start it off they did, the band immediately launching into “Killer in the Mirror”–a song whose music video has garnered more than seven million views on Fearless Records official YouTube channel. Set It Off’s high energy setlist was composed of hits such as “Skeleton,” “Projector,” and “Why Do I,” off their latest album Elsewhere, which was released in March.
Set It Off’s vocalist and founder, Cody Carson, summarized the spirit of the evening best, declaring “It’s been too long. It feels great to be back!” The crowd responded with a roaring cheer, echoing the sentiment. Overall, Cody showed masterful interaction with the crowd, constantly moving from one side of the stage to the other, ensuring everyone felt included in the concert. Set It Off has developed a reputation for their high energy shows, and their concert at Fillmore Silver Spring was no exception.
Set It Off’s Full Setlist
- Killer in the Mirror
- Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
- Skeleton
- Ancient History
- Why Worry
- Different Songs
- Projector
- Dangerous
- Who’s In Control
- Unopened Windows
- The Haunting
- N.M.E.
- Hypnotized
- Why Do I
While Set It Off may have gotten the crowd energized, I was in awe of just how loudly the crowd cheered the moment Simple Plan stepped onto the stage. The sheer energy was like watching waves crash unapologetically against the beach. In response, Simple Plan started their show without pulling any punches, immediately launching into their hit song “I’d Do Anything,” before following up with the rocking combination of “Shut Up” and “Jump.” It was, honestly speaking, the hardest hitting opener that I’ve seen in years. They weren’t holding back, and the crowd wasn’t either–singing along to every song’s verse and refrain. To see such an example of how music brings people together was truly fantastic.
Simple Plan performed a great set–opening up with songs off of their albums Still Not Gettin’ Any and No Pads, No Helmets . . . Just Balls. Making a great night even better, they performed songs such as “Ruin My Life,” “Congratulations,” and “Wake Me Up” off of their new album Harder Than It Looks, which is set to be released on May 6. While the newer album moves away from the punk rock sound, the vocals on the new album are more refined, the instrumentals blend better and have a clearer ‘voice’ and, overall, the songs just hit harder. I’m impressed with how Simple Plan has grown over the years and look forward to continuing to see how they continue to develop their sound.
Growing up as a fan of the Scooby-Doo cartoons, an added treat was hearing “What’s New Scooby-Doo” — Simple Plan’s cover of the show’s theme song. Did you know that Simple Plan even appeared as guests on the ninth episode of season two of What’s New, Scooby-Doo? Be sure to check out the episode, if you haven’t seen it already, where they even did the voices for their characters, entitled, “Simple Plan and the Invisible Madman.”
Simple Plan’s setlist:
- I’d Do Anything
- Shut Up
- Jump
- Worst Day Ever
- Your Love is a Lie
- Addicted
- Congratulations
- God Must Hate me
- Take My Hand
- Welcome
- Wake Me Up
- Crazy
- Ruin My Life
- Summer Paradise
- Party Medley
- Scooby Doo
- Where I Belong
- I’m Just a Kid
- Untitled
- Perfect
While seeing Sum 41 and Simple Plan co-headlining would have been truly epic, the sheer energy and showmanship that Simple Plan brought, how naturally they got the crowd moving along to the music, how the energy in their concert never faltered . . . all of it made for a truly unforgettable night. If you have a chance to see Simple Plan in concert, I highly recommend doing so. It will be time and money well spent, and a memory that you’ll carry in your heart for years to come.
