THE OFFSPRING/SIMPLE PLAN
THE O2 LONDON ARENA
Canadian pop punkers SIMPLE PLAN perform to an almost full arena, and their last number, ‘Perfect,’ is lit up by a few thousand mobiles and a gargantuan sing-along. THE OFFSPRING are masters at their catchy American craft, and tonight they turn the usually sterile O2 flagship into an intimate celebration of all things ‘Spring.
OK, so when you can open with the hit you between the eyes hat trick of ‘Come Out And Play’, ‘All I Want’, and the futile majesty of ‘Want You Bad’, then you’re night’s entertainment is in safe hands. The ever-youthful-looking Dr Dexter and a skunk-haired Noodles bring their own self-styled punk meets panto smiling stage schtik as ‘Staring At The Sun’ and the glancing blow of ‘Hit That’ mixed with ‘Original Prankster’ engulf the sold-out throng. The incendiary ‘Bad Habit’ causes huge circle pits before an Ozzy tribute is rounded off with a quick and deeply emotive ‘Crazy Train’. The Ramones’ ‘I Wanna Be Sedated’ and The Beatles ‘Hey Jude’ are curious set additions before another huge hit arrives in the shape of ‘Why Don’t You Get A Job’. ‘Pretty Fly’ and ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’ send the band stage left before returning for a pair of set-closing classics. ‘You’re Gonna Go Far Kid’ gives way to the deeply emotional and cathartic explosion of the hug-a-stranger, dance like no one’s watching, and wail like a banshee, primal release that is ‘Self Esteem’. Job done and some.
The Offspring play the Crystal Palace Bowl on June 28th with support from Dropkick Murphys and Pennywise.
Tickets are available from
https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/the-offspring-london-28-06-2026/event/37006349899E4270
Words Guy Shankland
Photos Tijs van Leur