Sum 41 Go Out on a High (Concert Review)

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Iconic pop-punk band Sum 41 are currently embarking on their final tour. Tour of the Setting Sun see the band end their career which has spanned almost thirty years. I saw their gig at Co-op Live Manchester last Monday. Whilst I missed the opener, The Bronx, I saw the full setlist for the headlining band. I stood around the centre of the pit and got a good view of the act.

The band has been together since 1996 when they formed in Canada. Anyone who’s attended an alternative club night or grew up flicking through Kerrang!’s TV channel will know their hits. Particularly, ‘In Too Deep’ and ‘Fat Lip’ have become staples in this subculture.

Firstly, the sound quality throughout was impressive. Above all, the band can play just as well as they do on their records. Moreover, Deryck Whibley’s voice is still as good as it was on the band’s earlier records as well as being a great frontman. I always appreciate a lead who seems genuinely passionate and wants to be there. The crowd was very enthusiastic, with plenty of pits forming for their heavier songs. The crowd interactions from Deryck went down well. He was consistently friendly and upbeat.

Songs were played from a variety of the group’s eras. ‘All Killer, No Filler‘ and ‘Does This Look Infected?‘ are the two albums I primarily know. Overall, I wasn’t disappointed by what I heard. With this being the last tour before the band calls it quits, I think there’s a mutual understanding that the fans want to see some of the older tracks and bigger hits one last time. As usual, they opened with ‘Motivation’ which is a crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect song to get everyone in the mood for an electric gig. With a setlist of over thirty songs including two encores as well as a few partial covers, there was definitely something for everyone.

In conclusion, I’d highly recommend anyone who has the chance to grab a few tickets to do so. The band has been a staple for many people in the pop-punk and alternative rock scene. I also hope this isn’t a forever goodbye for Sum 41. Whilst it is currently looking this way, recent years have proved bands do sometimes change their minds about calling it quits. However, it is looking like this is the end. I hope they continue to deliver memorable shows for the rest of this tour.

Sum 41 is on Instagram, X, and TikTok. You can read more concert reviews here and listen to their music below. Tickets for the rest of their tour are available here.

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