Uncut Collective Media
Simple Plan Brings Pop-Punk Nostalgia to Life in Phoenix
August 15, 2025 • by Phyoe Thaung
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, pop-punk veterans Simple Plan brought one of the most anticipated tours of the year to Phoenix, filling the Arizona Financial Theatre with nearly 5,000 fans for their biggest headlining show in the state to date. The Canadian band delivered a career-spanning setlist that kept the crowd engaged from the first note to the final confetti drop.
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The night kicked off with LØLØ, who wasted no time winning over the audience with her upbeat presence and catchy hooks. Her set included the debut of a new track, “The devil wears converse,” alongside a lively cover of Icona Pop’s “I Love It,” setting a high-energy tone for the rest of the evening. Bowling For Soup took over next, bringing their trademark humor and singalong anthems. They opened with “Girl All The Bad Guys Want” and wrapped with their hit “1985,” mixing in favorites like “Punk Rock 101,” “Almost,” and the instantly recognizable Phineas and Ferb theme “Today Is Gonna Be A Great Day.”
The atmosphere shifted into full party mode when 3OH!3 hit the stage, launching into the pounding synth of “PunkBitch.” With a full backing band, including powerhouse drummer Jess Bowen from The Summer Set, Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte delivered an electrifying run of hits such as “Starstrukk,” “Touchin On My,” “My First Kiss,” and the shout-along staple “Don’t Trust Me.”
When Simple Plan finally took their turn, they came out swinging with “I’d Do Anything,” “Shut Up!” and “Jump,” immediately transporting fans back to the early 2000s. The band’s upgraded production was a noticeable leap from the smaller venues they headlined not long ago, adding even more impact to their performance.
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Of course, their set wouldn’t be complete without “What’s New Scooby Doo?,” the theme song that became a generational touchstone. They played it with a wink and a smile, joined by fans dressed as Scooby, striking the perfect balance between fun and precision.
A surprise medley offered deep cuts rarely heard live, from “The Worst Day Ever” and “My Alien” to “God Must Hate Me,” “Grow Up,” and “Vacation,” the latter from the Mary-Kate and Ashley movie New York Minute. They also slipped in crowd-pleasing covers, giving their spin to Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi,” and The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.”
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Closing out with the timeless “I’m Just A Kid” and the heartfelt “Perfect,” Simple Plan left the audience buzzing as confetti filled the air. More than two decades into their career, the band continues to prove they’re not just holding their ground—they’re still climbing.
