The O2 Apollo in Manchester was a complete sell-out for Avril Lavigne last Saturday night when the pop-punk princess brought her ‘LOVE SUX’ tour to the UK. A nostalgic video montage was displayed on the back screen; highlighting moments in her career varying from different music videos before her silhouette appeared holding big balloons, resembling her Love Sux album cover.
She appeared on the stage riser behind the drums and kicked off her set with lead single ‘Bite Me’ before diving into 2011 hit ‘What The Hell’. Next was her massive debut single ‘Complicated’ which she dedicated to the day 1 fans in the UK for sticking with her all this time, 21 years to be exact. It got a huge reaction from the crowd and was already one of the highlight’s of her set.
She also had a few words to say about YUNGBLUD before she started ‘I’m A Mess’ which features the Yorkshire singer, “Yungblud is so fucking amazing, so talented” and it wasn’t long after the crowd were shouting the lyrics back to her. Next was a (surprising to say the least) Spice Girls cover of ‘Wannabe’, bringing support Phem to perform with her, “I’ve loved Spice Girls since I was a little kid and this song is about girl power and friendship, so I want to bring my girlfriend up here”. This was received well by the crowd; everyone was singing and dancing to the British classic which was synchronised on stage as the pair took over the stage, feeding into the energy.
Album title track ‘Love Sux’ featured Avril on drums which brings something extra to the set; it showcased how multi-talented the Canadian musician is and it was just really awesome seeing her smash the drums!
Another moment of anticipated wistfulness was due when an epic instrumental intro began for big hit ‘Girlfriend’, allowing for thousands of women to relive their childhoods with this legendary track and her vocals sound just as incredible as they did back then. She mixed it up with ‘Love It When You Hate Me’, the second single from her seventh studio album Love Sux.
“20 years later and I still like skater boys…” was the introduction when we were right back to 2002; ‘Sk8er Boi’ started, the crowd erupted, the lights were synthetically erratic and Avril was rocking with radiance – a moment not to be missed!
She left the stage and the encore began with a very different, solemn mood. An artful video played before she was back hitting us with incredible vocals for ‘Head Above Water’ and huge single ‘I’m With You’. The crowd are roaring the lyrics again and it feels like a heavy yet stunning atmosphere with the blue symbolic lighting and her gorgeous voice.
The set ended with ‘Here’s To Never Growing Up’ and she’s left the theatre in complete astonishment. It’s been just over two decades since her defining career began and I think it’s safe to say she is the Pop-Punk Queen.