SIMPLE PLAN - AFAS Live , Amsterdam | 2026

There is a particular kind of crowd that only pop-punk can assemble. Thirty-somethings in faded band shirts from their first gig, standing next to teenagers who found “Welcome to My Life” through their feeds. On Friday 9 October 2026 at AFAS Live, Simple Plan brought both generations under one roof for their Bigger Than You Think! tour, and neither left disappointed. Pics by Anne Kouyzer

Straight into the hits

At 21:15 the lights dropped and Simple Plan kicked off with “I’d Do Anything”, followed straight away by recent single “Nothing Changes”. Then came the one-two of “Shut Up!” and “Jump”, and the entire floor turned into one bouncing mass. Pierre Bouvier sounded remarkably close to the records, and the band played with the looseness of people who genuinely still love doing this.

A hiccup that only made it louder

Charlotte Sands returned for “Jet Lag”, which had to be restarted after technical issues. Rather than killing the momentum, the hiccup only made the crowd louder the second time around. “Addicted”, “Your Love Is a Lie” and “Welcome to My Life” kept the singalong going, while “Last One Standing” and “Boom!” gave longtime fans the deeper cuts this anniversary tour promised.

Alone at the piano

The emotional centre of the night came when Pierre moved to a B-stage in the middle of the hall, alone at the piano, for “Untitled (How Could This Happen to Me?)”. Thousands of people, phones in the air, carrying every word. It was a reminder that beneath the bounce and the jokes, this band has always written about things that hurt.

Karaoke chaos and Scooby Doo

Of course, Simple Plan never stay serious for long. “Grow Up / Vacation” led into the cover medley of “All Star”, “Sk8er Boi” and “Mr. Brightside”, which was pure karaoke chaos in the best possible way. “What’s New Scooby Doo?” followed with fans dressed as Scooby Doo joining the band on stage, as ridiculous and joyful as it sounds. “Where I Belong”, their collaboration with State Champs, closed the main set.

An encore that sums it all up

During “I’m Just a Kid”, Pierre took over the drum kit while Chuck Comeau crowdsurfed through the hall for the final chorus. “Perfect” closed the night, starting acoustic for the first verse and chorus before the full band crashed back in, and the room sang it back like it was 2002 again.

Verdict

Twenty-five years in, Simple Plan understand something many of their peers have forgotten: these songs were never really about being a teenager. They were about feeling like an outsider, and that never goes out of style. With a euro from every ticket going to the band’s own foundation, it is clear the heart behind the music is still in the right place.

A celebration that felt less like a farewell lap and more like proof the party is far from over.