Simple Plan triumph Wembley debut with legacy-filled gig - with one setback
Updated: Oct 15
Simple Plan last reared their heads in the UK back in November, 2025, when they supported The Offspring on their gargantuan arena tour. But the Canadian quartet haven't delivered a set of headline shows since 2024's foray across some of the country's most prestigious theatres. I last saw them at London's Eventim Apollo, where I was less than impressed by their setlist choices. But, ultimately, I wondered what future they were going to weave for themselves.
As it turned out, they had their sights set on Wembley Arena. On Saturday, October 3, 2026, Simple Plan played their biggest headline show in the UK to date. In recent years, Wembley Arena has become a necessary stop-gap for rock, punk and alternative artists, before they go onto play much larger venues. Sleep Token, Enter: Shikari and Pierce the Veil, for example, are just a few major names in the scene who have used the 12,500-capacity venue in the past few years.
As a result, Simple Plan swung hard and fast as soon as the lights went down - not just musically but emotionally, too. From the first moment, the stalwart band’s narrative for the evening was aimed at their legacy; they've been around for around two decades, and they've worked hard for the privilege of tenure. Screens adorned the walls showing video clips and photos of their earlier days on the road in the early 2000s before they finally arrived on stage. When they did, wide smiles wide and amped-up guitars lead into guitars loud, before running into 'I'd Do Anything' and 'Nothing Changes'.
The latter acted, again, as the blueprint for the show ahead. Throughout the night, Simple Plan spoke of their history and how it got them to where they are today: bigger and better than ever, playing the largest shows of their career. Arguably, this is the most successful they have ever been, and the fact was made even more obvious when frontman Pierre Bouvier asked for newcomers to the band to raise their hands, prompting most of the room to wave at the silk-toned star.
The band’s saunter down memory lane continued with the 2004 hit 'Shut Up!', setting off pyrotechnics and getting everyone on their feet - further proving they know how to dominate the room. Likewise, 'Addicted' became the standout song of the night, with the crowd at one point overtaking Bouvier's vocals and demonstrating these Montreal boys really know how to write a good fucking song. The good vibes were even unstoppable during the more tongue-in-cheek tracks that skewed more Pop than Punk. "I don't know about you, but I came here to party!" Bouvier screamed, smiling, before launching into 'Jump' and 'Jet Lag'. While Simple Plan quite obviously wrote songs such as these with a view of creating top-ten hits, it's tough to argue against their popularity when over 10,000 people are screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs, despite how shallow they might feel.
Through streamers, confetti, beach balls and even more flames, Simple Plan's nostalgic-ridden Saturday-night party theme permeated through the gig. Even to the point that, when they performed 'What's New Scooby-Doo?' they invited every fan on stage who had dressed up as the famous cartoon dog. I've truly never seen anything like dozens of adults in onesies on stage with a band at Wembley, and I doubt I will again; but that's Simple Plan's charm. They're nice guys who care about their fans and their experience, a point driven home as they took (an actually annoying amount of) selfies on stage as security ushered these same fans away.
Unfortunately, despite having laid the groundwork for an easy home-run of a show, Simple Plan faltered at the last base.
After performing Astronaut (did anyone want that?) the band launched into a baffling medley of 2000s hits - identical to the ridiculous trio of tracks the band played back in 2024. Through Smash Mouth’s 'All Star', Avril Lavigne’s 'Sk8er Boi' and The Killers’ 'Mr. Brightside', Simple Plan got lost. Furthermore, their encore was plagued by an acoustic rendition of Green Day's 'Basket Case'. What was - until that point - an evening of celebration about their story and their music, they seemed to become an afterthought in their own brainstorm. It felt to me that the band had cashed in all of their goodwill of the night for karaoke hits and a triplet of cheap thrills. Thankfully, this intermission came to a close with some of their previously absent biggest hits. 'I'm Just A Kid' and 'Perfect' took the show home, leaving Simple Plan fans replete, and the band firmly solidified as veterans of Wembley Arena.
The huge venue was an enormous step for the band, and not only was it deserved but it does feel somewhat about time. Simple Plan have come far, and if anyone deserves it, they’re near the top of the list. And, despite their almost unforgivable missteps, they did their die-hard fans truly proud. With that all said, I am - once again - wondering where they’ll aim for next. They previously performed at The O2 Arena as main support for The Offspring, so perhaps, after having a taste of what it feels like to look at 20,000 people, could that be next on the list? Either way, I could see Simple Plan remaining in the stratosphere for another 20 years.
Setlist
I'd Do Anything
Nothing Changes
Shut Up!
Jump
Jet Lag
Addicted
Your Love Is a Lie
Welcome to My Life
Loser of the Year
Summer Paradise
Untitled (How Could This Happen to Me?)
Million Pictures of You
Astronaut
All Star / Sk8er Boi / Mr. Brightside
What's New Scooby Doo?
Where I Belong (Simple Plan & State Champs song)
ENCORE
I'm Just a Kid
Basket Case (Green Day cover)
Perfect
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