In an age where pop-punk nostalgia is as hot as ever, Simple Plan’s “Bigger Than You Think!” Tour proves that growing up was never the plan—and in Irving, Texas, that sentiment was practically tattooed on the crowd’s collective chest. Playing to a sold-out crowd at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, the energy was undeniable from the moment doors opened. Celebrating 25 years of music, Simple Plan returned to headline U.S. stages with a stacked lineup: hometown heroes, Bowling for Soup, energetic 3OH!3 and rising star LØLØ. Together, they delivered more than just throwback anthems; they brought a full-on pop-punk revival, complete with confetti, crowd-surfing, self-deprecating humor and emotional depth.
Opening acts often struggle to command early-arriving audiences, but LØLØ proved more than capable. Her vocals were clean and emotive, but it was her connection with the audience — laughing off technical hitches and inviting crowd participation — that set the tone for the night.
The second act brought a sudden gear shift, as if someone turned the chaos dial to 11! 3OH!3 blasted onstage to “Don’t Trust Me,” unleashing a wave of late-2000s energy that transported everyone back to the days of neon shutter shades and MySpace. With their mix of electro-pop and tongue-in-cheek absurdity, Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte whipped the crowd into a party-fueled frenzy. They closed with their set with their 2008 hit “DONTTRUSTME,” sarcastically introducing it as their “favorite Simple Plan song.” Between songs, they cracked jokes, flirted with the crowd and made it clear: they know their place in the pop-punk universe — and they’re having a blast with it.
3OH!3
No band blends humor, heart and hooks quite like Bowling for Soup, and their hometown crowd gave them the welcome they deserved. With decades of experience under their belt, the band leaned into both nostalgia and their signature sarcasm, delivering a set that felt like a perfectly timed punchline. Launching into “Almost” and “Punk Rock 101,” the band immediately struck a balance between tight musicianship and hilarious between-song banter. Frontman Jaret Reddick joked about their age, the Texas heat and their legacy (“We’re the reason your parents still think you listen to dumb music”), but the music spoke for itself. “1985” was a crowd anthem, complete with hundreds of phones in the air! And most importantly, they highlighted their charity work and mental health advocacy, with Reddick sharing a heartfelt message: “It’s okay to not be okay.”
Then came one of the night’s funniest curveballs: Bowling for Soup broke into “Stacy’s Mom”—yes, the Fountains of Wayne classic that they’ve been mistakenly credited with for years. As soon as the opening riff hit, the crowd erupted. Jaret laughed mid-verse, joking, “You all still think we wrote this damn song, so we figured—why not?” It was a hilarious, crowd-pleasing moment that blurred the line between myth and meme. Fans didn’t care who wrote it. They just wanted to yell “Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on” with thousands of other people.
Bowling for Soup
The moment Simple Plan took the stage, the energy shifted. A massive LED screen lit up with the band’s logo, and as the opening chords of “I’d Do Anything” rang out, the crowd exploded. What followed was a masterclass in pop-punk longevity—proof that 25 years later, Simple Plan still knows exactly how to work a stage. This wasn’t just another tour stop — it was a celebration of Simple Plan’s 25th anniversary, and they made sure the audience felt it. Between songs, Pierre thanked fans who had “grown up with them, or never really grew up at all,” and that sentiment carried through the entire night.
The setlist was a greatest-hits parade: “Shut Up!” “Welcome to My Life,” “Jump,” “Addicted” and of course “I’m Just a Kid,” which triggered an arena-wide sing-along so loud it nearly drowned out the band. Pierre Bouvier’s voice hasn’t lost a step, and his energy was relentless — climbing speakers, throwing giant beach balls and pulling fans on stage in costumes for a Scooby-Doo-themed moment of madness.
Simple Plan
A standout moment came when they performed “Jet Lag,” their duet about long-distance love. LØLØ returned to the stage to sing the female vocal parts, and the crowd went wild — not just for the harmonies, but for the hilarious luggage-themed prank that unfolded mid-song. As Pierre sang about “missin’ your bed,” the crew rolled a fake airport baggage cart across the stage, tossing suitcases marked with lyrics and random inside jokes. It was silly, theatrical and completely on-brand for a band that’s always balanced emotional sincerity with self-aware humor. Another fan-favorite twist came in the form of a medley mashup of Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi” and The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.”
The show hit its emotional peak as Simple Plan launched into “I’m Just a Kid,” triggering a wave of nostalgia that swept through the audience like a warm flood. Phones lit up the venue, and the crowd sang in unison, reminded that no matter how much time passes, those teenage feelings never truly fade and “It was never just a phase!”
The night closed with the deeply moving “Perfect,” introduced by Pierre with a heartfelt speech about family, mental health and the power of music to make you feel less alone. Thousands of phone lights filled the venue like stars, and the chorus rang out like a collective therapy session — a perfect end to a night that balanced youthful rebellion with mature reflection.
The “Bigger Than You Think!” Tour is more than a nostalgia trip — it’s a reminder that pop-punk never truly died. It just grew up, got funnier, louder and refused to let go of its heart. For the crowd in Irving, it wasn’t just about reliving the past — it was about proving that pop-punk is still very much alive. And for those who grew up on these songs, one thing became crystal clear: it’s bigger than nostalgia. It’s bigger than you think.
All Photos by Mehreen Rizvi
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