Photos + Review: Blink-182, Simple Plan @ Budweiser Stage

Photos by: David Scala –
Follow @davidscala

Review by: Curtis Sindrey –
Follow @Aesthetic_Mag

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

Toronto was treated to a double dose of 2000s pop-punk on Sunday (July 7) night as Blink-182 celebrated 20 years of their classic 1999 album, Enema Of The State, by playing it in its entirety.

It’s a bittersweet experience when band members leave, especially when they helped craft the blueprint that is modern pop punk. While it was a treat to hear songs that the California-based trio rarely if ever perform live, fans yearn for the return of founding member Tom Delonge. While current singer/guitarist Matt Skiba did a commendable job at making each song his own, the songs that could very well define a genre, yet alone a generation, really should have been kept in the past because it’s just not the same.

Beyond that, the current incarnation of the pop-punk icons sounded as tight as ever as they smashed through a 22-song set that spanned practically every corner of their career. One of the most notable moments on this night was the drum solo by drumming wizard, Travis Barker, as he drummed within a contraption that spun around. Despite everything’s he’s been through, Barker is at the peak of his powers.

Halfway through the set, Skiba and singer/bassist Mark Hoppus joined fans on the lawn for a two-song acoustic set that showed they can sound just as good unplugged as they played a goosebump-inducing version of “Down”, along with early career cut “Wasting Time”.

Overall, despite puzzling not playing any new material, including the previously released singles “Blame It On My Youth”, “Generational Divide”, and “Happy Days”, Blink-182 enthralled both long-time and new fans alike with their signature snotty lyrics, and infectious melodies.

Montreal-based rockers Simple Plan played a hits-heavy set that gave the sizeable crowd a energetic prelude to Blink 182. While hearing 2000s cuts as “I’m Just A Kid”, and “Shut Up”, is always a joy, it’s about time they release a follow up to 2016’s Taking One for the Team.

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Blink-182
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Blink-182 performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

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Simple Plan
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)

TORONTO, ON – JULY 07: Simple Plan performs at Budweiser Stage in Toronto on July 07, 2019. (Photo: David Scala/Aesthetic Magazine)