There’s always a feeling of excitement when you find out you’re finally seeing an artist or band live for the first time. A smaller, more intimate setting makes the experience more real, making you feel like a part of the performance rather than just a spectator. This was the case with the Simple Plan’s First Listen event at the CBC, and it was like no other performance out there.
Most times, you don’t expect a band you’ve waited almost half your life to see doesn’t just casually walk down the hall, or to be three feet away during the performance.
Simple Plan opened the performance with “Opinion Overdrive”, a song from their new album Taking One For The Team. It was the perfect opening song, with the same explosive energy as we remember hearing it for the first time. With some artists, they sound totally different life. This isn’t the case with Simple Plan. They topped every studio version of their songs tonight, showing their skill through both instruments and solid vocals-but not without joking around with the audience between songs.
“Welcome To My Life”, a fan favourite came next. This was one of the songs that drew listeners worldwide in, being able to immediately relate to the song. Being able to hear it live was amazing. It showed that all the times we’d turned this song up to deal with whatever was going on in our lives, to power through had all been worth it. With audience participation clapping and singing along, it was truly an unforgettable experience.
“Kiss Me Like Nobody’s Watching” was another song from the new album. With a strong bass line opening up the song, it was an immediately energetic, pulling the mood back up. It’s definitely the type of song that you’ll sing to, dancing around your room. It’s about being so in love with somebody that you don’t care who knows it. It’s not a simple plan album without at least one song with Pierre singing at rapid speed. It was uplifting. After perfoming the song, Pierre revealed that it had a deeper meaning. Not only was it a jam, but it also represents those in relationships considered unconventional by society.
“You should not be afraid to show the world.”
-Pierre Bouvier
As if we didn’t love this band enough.
The band then played some other energetic songs, “Boom!” and “I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed”. A highlight was hearing “Summer Paradise” from Get Your Heart On! We’ve heard so many variations of this song with our favourite artists, but seeing the band perform this live was an incomparable experience. Plus, we found out that David does the intro whistling, and the wooden block beat. One of our biggest questions have been answered.
After performing “Farewell”, another song off their new album, the band wrapped up perfectly with throwback tracks, “I’d Do Anything” and a special addition for the fans, “Perfect World”.
After the performance, the band stuck around for a while to talk to fans. The CBC First Listen event proved that not only are they still insanely talented, but at the end of the day, they’re still the same down to earth band who’ll go above and beyond for every performance, no matter how big or small it may be.
The album Taking One For The Team is now out on iTunes, Spotify, and your local music store!