MGM Music Hall at Fenway was filled with hundreds of fans eagerly waiting for Sum 41 to take the stage during their farewell tour, which was announced in 2023. The punk rock band first won over fans when they got their start in the mid-90s, so they were in for a night of nostalgia not only for long-time fans but also for younger generations who could be seen enjoying the angsty lyrics and powerful vocals of Deryck Whibley. The year-long “Tour of The Setting Sum” is meant to celebrate their eighth and final album, Heaven :x: Hell, but also marks the end of their remarkable career.
After a vibrant performance by ska-punk group, The Interrupters, no time was wasted as Sum 41 dove right into their explosive show with hits like “Motivation” and “Over My Head.” They kept the audience jumping and headbanging throughout the night, putting on fantastic displays of fireworks, smoke, confetti cannons, and throwing giant balloons into the crowd throughout their extensive setlist. Fans could also be seen crowd-surfing during the show.
The band encouraged fans to start a mosh pit to the song “We’re All To Blame,” which was dedicated to the metal heads in the room and demonstrated the band’s strong ability to convey a story of anger, fear, and war, as they have never been ones to shy away from speaking about real world issues and politics. Switching to a happier tone, they proudly played one of the very first songs they released at the beginning of their musical journey, “It Makes No Difference to Me,” and other successes like “Still Waiting,” and “Fat Lip,” a song that blends old school rap with their signature punk rock sound.
While fans showed much enthusiasm as they sang along to Sum 41’s classics, they were also treated to some of the new songs off their latest album, such as “Landmines” and “Waiting for a Twist of Fate.” An old drum set was also brought to the stage at one point to give the audience a glance at what it was like to create music in their basement back in the day. They even performed a cover of “We Will Rock You,” by Queen which was met with a combination of stomping and clapping.
Lead singer Deryck Whibley, consistently expressed his gratitude between songs saying, “I don’t wanna forget this night, ladies and gentlemen, I gotta take this all in. Honestly this means a lot to us, you being here, spending this night with us. It’s a special night, it’s a celebration.” He went on to thank his fans for the many years of love and support before asking everyone to sing along one more time and get crazy together as the band played another fan favorite, “In Too Deep,” from their very first album.
After the final song was played, the band stood emotionally on stage, thanking the crowd and watching their adoring fans applaud them for the memorable songs many of them grew up with. The entire night, Sum 41 gave off the same infectious energy that has propelled them through the years. One thing is sure: if the rest of the tour is anything like the Boston show, it’s a safe bet that Sum 41 plans to go out with a joyous bang.
Sum 41 Online: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music
PHOTO GALLERY BY: Maria Jose Torre
