Catching this tour added years to my life.
A few months ago, I was bored and curious about what concerts the Xfinity Center here in Hartford was hosting this summer. Since I was a teenager, it's been a hotspot for summer music events due to its famous (and affordable) lawn section and dirt lot fit for tailgating. Wanting to spice things up and have something to look forward to, I checked the XC Instagram page (and wondered why I hadn't done that in the past to stay in-the-know). That's when I saw that the Avril Lavigne was booked this month.
I immediately hit up my best, emo friend to ask if she wanted to go with me. Knowing she'd say yes, I excitedly awaited her text message asking me how much tickets cost, and the rest was history. Fast forward to this past Wednesday when we were in the same vicinity as the motherfucking pop punk princess. We loved it.
Girlfriends
The concert started off with Girlfriends- a band that I hadn't heard before, but was grateful to listen to. They performed a few of their songs, and I think a couple of covers before introducing the next act. They made an unfortunately relatable introduction to the song, the lead singer stating that it was dedicated to a girl from California who "demolished" his heart. Knowing that feeling all too well, and genuinely liking the song, I looked up a few words from it on Apple Music while they were still performing.
I managed to successfully find it by repeating the chorus in my head:
Life's a bitch and her name is Brittany
...and boom:
I was so happy.
Simple Plan
Next up was Simple Plan. While I didn't really listen to them that much growing up, I'm not as uncultured as it sounds. "I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare" had been on my FYP for a few weeks now, reminding me of a song that got stuck in one of my dusty brain files. It was also really nice to witness them perform "What's New Scooby Doo" in person :') Pierre Bouvier's voice is one that sticks out to me from childhood/teenage memories, and it was really nostalgic and special to hear it in person!!!!
Avril Lavigne
Now, for the princess herself- AVRIL LAVIGNE!!! She opened the concert up with "Girlfriend," probably the best choice for her set list possible. (I argue Sk8er Boi is a close second.)
I can't explain how I felt at this moment. It's like my 6 and 26-year-old self collided in the most ethereal of ways. I threw my head back while singing along, realizing simultaneously how the lyrics are much more relatable now than they were over 20 years ago.
As you can probably imagine, this happened multiple times throughout the rest of the concert. "Complicated," "When You're Gone," and "Happy Ending" sent me into quantum leaps of happiness, sadness, joy, excitement, grief, etc. etc. etc. I am so grateful to have heard that from her in person.
Had to screenshot this comment under her "Happy Ending" music video, now 13 years old. My heart screams reading that age. And it screamed all night last night along with my vocal chords at the Greatest Hits Tour in Hartford, CT.
I had no idea it was Simple Plan that sang the "Scooby Dooby Doo, I'm comin' after you" song. Hearing and seeing them perform it live was a blast to the past and a treat I didn't know I wanted or needed after not remembering many of the songs they sang. That's the thing about concerts that I will forever love- you get reminded, in the best way ever, of tunes once forgotten.
I only have two complaints- I wish I was closer and I wish she brought out Lil Mama to perform the remix to Girlfriend <3
Let Go changed many of our brain chemistries in the best ways. And I know for Avril it did the same.
LOVE U A.L.- the best pop-punk princess alive- & Simple Plan & Girlfriends) <333 xxxx
p.s. I found some archival content of AL on this cool website. Check it out :)
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