It’s been too long since Bowling For Soup have been in Australia. Ten years in fact. See… too long. So here for Good Things we are lucky enough to have a sideshow in Sydney and that’s where we are tonight.
Taylor Acorn is opening the show tonight and I’m stoked as her trip here in March was awesome so I’m expecting same tonight. Running into the stage and bursting into ‘Final Nail’ and this is huge. Up next is ‘I Think I’m In Love’ and this extremely accurate pop rock goodness is just what we need tonight. ‘Sticking Around’ keeps that energy up and when done with some excellent guitar flips this one was huge. A song about bullying called ‘High Horse’ sends its message and ‘Coma’ is next and what a voice Taylor has and she is belting these songs out in a big way. ‘Wishing You Hell’ keeps the tempo up and now with ‘Certified Depressant’ and what a tune. But ‘Greener’ is a stand out that’s for sure it’s evolved from when she played it here in March and is absolute fire. ‘Shapeshifting’ keeps the tempo up and as the drums ring in the next track it’s time for the closer and ‘Psycho’ and with that she’s done. What a fun and powerful set!! You really should go and see Taylor Acorn if you get a chance.
The best intro song ever rings through and as Bowling For Soup wave their way on to the stage Jaret starts with ‘My Hometown’ and it’s on, then immediately taking it into ‘Emily’ and that was a great surprise this early on as I’ve always loved that track so it was super rad to hear. Some amazing banter that BFS are known for settles in and it’s time for ‘Almost’ and the crowd loved this one a lot and were yelling it back and loudly. You can see how much the band loves and appreciates it. No way! ‘Trucker Hat’ and that was awesome. What a choice and one I didn’t think we’d hear. Some more amazing banter and some love for Chris Burney and we also miss and can’t wait to see him.
‘The Bitch Song’ sounds amazing and Rob’s harmonies are perfect. An awesome impromptu song to intro ‘Ohio’ and this has always been a favourite that’s for sure as shown by some outstanding crowd work and you can feel the love for this band. My cheeks hurt from smiling and I needed this so much. Celebrating 20 years of their killer album ‘A Hangover You Don’t Deserve’ they play ‘Two Seater’ and I wasn’t expecting this one so this is a treat. They’re really delivering a set for fans tonight this is awesome.
Playing ‘The Last Rock Show’ for Sum 41 and into ‘Punk Rock 101’ including the absolutely amazing photo opportunity mid song which is absolute classic BFS and even better it was done to ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ including some choreography which was just perfect.
I love it when they do ‘Stacey’s Mom’ pun intended, but the song they never wrote that everyone thinks they did is a treat and they absolute smash it. Then into their biggest hit which happens to be the Phineas and Ferb theme song ‘Today is Gonna be a Great Day’ and I must say hearing everyone sing that was great. Rob starts a joke that gets cut off hilariously and instead it’s a joke competition that Gary won in a landslide. Back to the music and ‘Out the Window’ and then ‘High School Never Ends’ and what a song that is. It’s so damn catchy and a pleasure to hear it and tell it back to the stage.
Oh fun some stools have made it to the the front of the stage as they just have a drink. I’m guessing this is the break before the encore ha ha yeah it was as explained by Jaret. Man the timing and delivery of every joke and bit tonight has been stupendous. They’re back well with instruments now and ‘Shut Up and Smile’ was fun, but ‘Girl All The Bad Guys Want’ was amazing, and hearing everyone sing the lines back was a buzz for me and I can’t even imagine what it’s like for the band. What a song. Closing the show with of course ‘1985’ and the one that everyone knew the words to. Everyone is honestly so happy right now. As a three piece while Chris is away I have to give credit to the guys as they delivered. Like on time delivered not this 3-4 week shipping thing like this was same day delivery.
I said it before but I needed this show tonight, my cheeks are sore from smiling, and I can’t wait until Bowling For Soup are back in Australia so it can happen all over again.
What a night.
Essential Information
Venue: The Metro Theatre – Sydney
Date: December 10, 2024
Promoter: Destroy All Lines
Set List:
My Hometown
Emily
Trucker Hat
Almost
The Bitch Song
Ohio
Two Seater
The Last Rock Show
Punk Rock 101
Stacey’s Mom
This is Gonna be a Great Day
Out the Window
High School Never Ends
Shut Up and Smile
Girl All the Bad Guys Want
1985
