I went to see Sum 41's final show in Manchester and it was the perfect farewell

At the Co-Op Live arena, the band pulled out all the stops on the stage in a two-hour set that featured a whopping 32 songs. It was a visual masterpiece too as pyro, lasers, balloons, confetti and even a giant skeleton were used throughout the evening, in a fine display of showmanship that celebrates the band’s contribution to the punk rock scene and the incredible legacy that will live forever.

To reach almost 30 years together as a band is an incredible achievement, and a testament to the longevity of the Canadian punk rockers. To celebrate their final show in Manchester, everyone got a chance to shine. Dave Baksh produced a riveting performance on the electric guitar, Frank Zummo took centre stage for a drum solo and Jason McCaslin led the band in a rendition of Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood’. And then there was frontman Deryck Whibley.

Sporting a Black Sabbath t-shirt, Whibley was at his imperious best and was a huge highlight on the evening. The frontman’s energy was infectious, he raced around the stage throughout the evening and cut a genuine figure on stage as he expressed his love and gratitude for the fans, who he affectionately referred to as his “family”.

Throughout the evening, Whibley was in a candid mood as he reflected on the band’s legacy and suggested that “the world has had enough of Sum 41”, but the chorus of boos that followed hinted otherwise. However, this was a perfect and bittersweet farewell for the band, especially given Whibley’s wish for the punk rockers to go out on a high, and it’s safe to say they did so.

After an opening set from LA punk rockers The Bronx, the band took to the stage as AC/DC’s ‘TNT’ boomed out in the background and the legendary band’s track set the stage for what was to be an explosive performance from Sum 41.

With the audience’s voices suitably warmed up following singalongs of ‘American Idiot’, ‘The Anthem’, ‘All The Small Things’ and ‘Misery Business’ in the interval, the Canadian rockers got off to a red hot start as Whibley belted out ‘Motivation’, ‘The Hell Song’ and ‘Over My Head’ to an electric response from the Mancunian audience.

Whibley expertly controlled the pace, the mood and the crowd throughout the evening as the band shifted from uplifting, rousing and energetic songs that had the crowd punching the air in unison and saw the walls of the auditorium bouncing with the likes of ‘Welcome to Hell’, ‘No Brains’ and ‘Walking Disaster’ to reflective, thought-provoking and delicately paced tracks such as ‘With Me’, Some Say’ and ‘Pieces’.

It is very hard to pick one moment that stood out to me the most in a show full of highlight moments. ‘Makes No Difference’ was a moment of unrivalled joy, ‘Summer’ brought an electric singalong, ‘The Long Goodbye’ was a fitting and eye-watering farewell, ‘Landmines’ was a moment of euphoria and one that saw me temporarily lose my voice and Whibley playing the role of conductor as the audience belted out ‘Fat Lip’ was another major highlight.

However, for me ‘In Too Deep’ was the biggest highlight from the evening. Every soul inside the arena was singing their heart out, everyone was bouncing and knowing it was the final time we’d ever see it made it even more special.

Sum 41’s tour of the UK wraps up with dates in Nottingham, London and Cardiff, and needless to say if you are able to see them you should take the opportunity with both hands. You won’t regret it!