Avril Lavigne is currently on the road celebrating her Greatest Hits with a gigantic headline tour. The tour, which originally kicked off on May 22, 2024 in Vancouver, BC is set to wrap up on September 10, 2024 in Chicago, IL. She brought along an incredible line up for this tour. For the first set of dates, All Time Low and Royal & the Serpent opened all dates. Now since we’re nearing the end of the tour, Simple Plan and girlfriends are opening up on all remaining dates.
We were beyond excited for the opportunity to catch two dates on this tour here at I’m Music Magazine. On September 1, 2024, Avril Lavigne rolled into PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, NC. She performed for just one of many fully sold-out crowds on the tour so far.
We arrived at the venue a little worried due to some heavy thunderstorms in the forecast, which resulted in a delay of doors. But not to worry, the clouds soon cleared and gates were opened up for the 18,000+ fans that night to come in and watch the show. A really awesome note is, we do this all the time and usually a huge delay like this means we miss some bands. Not the case! This tour swung into gear to make sure the fans got the show they came in. girlfriends hit the stage immediately following the doors opening. It was almost like they got to greet the crowd, some still finding their way to their seats. It really set the tone for the night, everyone was immediately up and excited. girlfriends had no problem getting this huge crowd riled up.
There was only a very short set change before Simple Plan hit the stage. Simple Plan is just one of those bands that can easily fill a set with just hits. They’ve had so many over the years, and every new song that comes up people are immediately singing along. The band also just has so much energy and the audience really feeds off of it. Simple Plan put on an absolutely headline worthy set in their time slot and it was incredible.
Moments before Avril Lavigne hit the stage the huge heart with cross bones displayed across the back of the stage started lighting up. Fans were already all on their feet, but now they’re also cheering like crazy knowing Avril is on her way. It turned into a screen which displayed years worth of old videos plus concert footage. The band started into the opening notes of “Girlfriend” and a short time later we’d see Avril walking out onto the platform above the band to perform.
Avril Lavigne put on an incredible 17-song set list for the fans. No one in the crowd wanted to sit down all night, they were up and cheering, jumping, everyone loved every minute of this show. Avril treated the audience not just to all of her Greatest Hits, but also invited the opening bands back on stage for a couple of covers. Simple Plan would join her on stage for their song “Addicted.” Then Simple Plan and girlfriends joined in for an awesome cover of blink-182‘s “All The Small Things.” This was a great night beginning to end.
I‘m Music Magazine Associate Editor/Photographer Daphne McKinney
Simple Plan:
girlfriends:
