It’s hard to believe that The Offspring have been making punk rock classics for around forty years and are still going strong. Starting the Australian leg of their Supercharged tour at Adelaide’s Entertainment Centre, they had the sold-out crowd bopping and singing like it was their first time.
The opening band, Canadian rockers Simple Plan played a solid and infectious set. They confessed that they love Australia and clearly Aussies love them in return. With 20 years of music and some six albums under their belt, they opened with “I’d do Anything” from their 2002 album No Pads, No Helmets .. Just Balls before “Shut Up”” and “Jump” from the 2004 release Still Not Getting Any..
Singer Pierre Bouvier has an infectious way with the audience that kept the momentum going, particularly getting the whole crowd jumping for “Jump.” What was particularly endearing about the band is that all members contributed to the energy. Guitarists Sébastien Lefebvre and Geoff Stinco were both charming and engaging.
Plenty of visuals and pyrotechnics kept the interest up, even beach balls bouncing out into the crowd for “Summer Paradise.” It felt as if the band was having more fun than the audience, with a seemingly endless supply of good times energy. At one stage, drummer Chuck Comeau swaps places with Bouvier then jumps into the crowd for a crowd-surf.
All in all, it was just was a rock and roll should be – entertaining, fast and furious and not taking itself too seriously. After a short break, the excitement increased as the audience waited expectantly for the main act. A gigantic video game style presentation kept the mood light before suddenly the band burst onto stage with “All I Want” from 1997’s Ixnay on the Hombre. This was quickly followed by “Come Out and Play” from their 1994 best selling album Smash. The songs spanned the range of hits including “Want You Bad”and “Staring at the Sun” before introducing “Make It Alright” from their latest album Supercharged.
It was if the boys in the band had a new lease on life. Drummer Brandon Pertzborn was particularly notable for his non-stop intense drumming style. Founding members, lead singer Dexter Holland and guitarist “Noodles” both gave performances that felt as fresh and enthusiastic as if they had just started out. Noodles showed his prowess with a medley of “Smoke on the Water”, “Iron Man” and “The Trooper” before the band launched into covers of “Hall of the Mountain King” and The Ramones “Blitzkrieg Bop.”
The lighting and pyrotechnics show were sensational, with streamers, confetti, CO2 and fireworks punctuating the show. Giant video screens captured the stage performance with a range of rotoscope and video game style visuals. Giant blow up characters from the Supercharged album dominated the stage mid show. The lights dimmed before Dexter appeared seated at a piano in monochromatic lighting to sing “Gone Away.” It was a gentle yet passionate rendition, proving that years of dedication to their craft means that they can successfully push the boundaries.
Naturally the finale was a quick fire of hits such as “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)”, “The Kids Are Alright” and “Self Esteem”. By now strangers were dancing with strangers, people were covered in confetti and some punters had snagged giant blow up beach balls. Suddenly the house lights come on and the show is over. The audience files out to the strains of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, exhausted but happy. An incredibly joyful night of rock and roll.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Offspring Supercharged tour continues into Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Reviewer attended 4th May, 2025
Limited tickets still available here
