The excitement was building up at Glasgow’s largest indoor venue, the OVO Hydro, as Sum 41 took the stage, promising an unforgettable night of throwback memories and sheer punk rock. Opening for them, ‘The Bronx’ set the tone with an epic performance that had the crowd’s attention within moments. Their infectious energy prepared us and built up the anticipation of the main event.
When Sum 41 kicked off with “Motivation,” the atmosphere kicked off. The pyrotechnics added a dramatic flair, perfectly complementing the energetic riffs and breakdowns that had fans jumping and singing along. They transitioned into “The Hell Song,” where a confetti cannon showered the crowd, creating various colours amidst fantastic laser lights.
Lead singer Deryck Whibley engaged the audience, encouraging everyone to raise their hands as they launched into “Over My Head,” where the crowd surfing began, showcasing the band’s ability to connect with their fans. The excitement intensified with “Screaming Bloody Murder,” touted as their most requested song of the year, complete with an impressive guitar solo.
Next was “Underclass Hero,” a track that invited everyone to jump and celebrate. Whibley, reflecting on nearly 30 years of Sum 41, encouraged the audience to sing back at him, creating a powerful sense of unity. After a brief breather with a slower-tempo song, “War,” the band returned to high-energy “Rhythms.”
They played “Land Mines” from their latest album, a fresh addition that resonated with fans. The crowd enthusiastically participated, with balloons bouncing around the venue as Whibley guided them through voices-only segments, inviting everyone to embrace the moment with “Dopamine.”
The shift into heavier material brought “We’re All to Blame,” prompting a circle pit that illustrated the diversity of their audience—“elder emos” mixed with younger fans alike. Whibley shared a personal story about recovering his cherished guitar, stolen years ago, which endeared him further to the crowd. “F*ck that guy!” echoed from the audience as they launched into “Walking Disaster,” complete with vibrant confetti and a change of backdrop.
The energy peaked with “Fat Lip,” turning the venue into a sea of hands and voices harmonizing back at the band.
As the main set concluded, Whibley announced a moment of intimacy, commanding to keep the house lights on and stripping back the production for a raw connection with the audience. The first encore kicked off with “Summer,” and ended with “In Too Deep.” added with the confetti shower at the end which was a fitting peak to the night.
Just when it seemed the show might wrap up, Whibley called for the doors to be shut for a second encore dedicated to the fans who stayed, concluding with “So Long Goodbye.”
In conclusion, Sum 41 delivered one of the best shows of the year, blending nostalgia with energetic new material.