Show Review: Simple Plan and These Silent Waves at Festivent in Levis

Review by Caitlin Grimes

Last Saturday night, I was back in Lévis for the Festivent. Clear skies, amazing weather, and a line-up like These Silent Waves and Simple Plan, called for a night that would not disappoint.

These Silent Waves got us started on a high note. This rock band from Quebec City got the crowd clapping from the very first song. They fed off the crowd, their high energy blazing all through their set. They really seemed genuinely happy, even ecstatic to be there, something we don’t see much. I don’t think their smiles left their faces even once. They pleased the crowd with a recent radio hit from Flo Rida, a cover of “Whistle” which got everyone singing and dancing. However, it was their cover of “It’s my life” from Bon Jovi, who made their way to the Festival d’été just last month, that surprised me. I don’t think there was one person who wasn’t singing along, punching their fists in the air, the band giving it all they had. These Silent Waves really know how to captivate a crowd and I don’t think we are done hearing about these guys just yet. A great way to start off the night!

If you’ve ever been to a Simple Plan show, you know that one of the things that makes the show that much more memorable, is the interaction the guys from Montreal have between each other. From inside jokes, to stating the obvious, they really make you feel like you are a part of their show. I don’t even think the first notes of the first song were heard before the screaming and clapping started. Instant smiles came across everyone’s faces as soon as the lights were shined on Jeff, Chuck, David, Sébastien, and Pierre. When “Shut Up” started, we knew we were in for a good time as the crowd jumped up and down. With their “Party Song” mash-up of “Dynamite”, “Moves like Jagger” and “I’m sexy and I know it”, and the guys showing off some moves, how can you not feel the need to dance along? They truly know how to get a party started. It is in the encore when Pierre grabbed a guitar and did an acoustic rendition of “Crazy” where I found myself lost in my own thoughts. What you cannot help but admire about these guys is how they have stayed grounded even after all these years. After 10 years of performing, not one of them even seems close to getting tired of it. Every single time, they come out with something new. They have a refreshing way of performing. They have stayed true to who they are and they know where they come from. When they take the time to sing songs like “Summer Paradise” and “Jet Lag” in French, it really makes you wonder if it has hit any one of them of how big their international success is. Taking the time to do something like that, means so much to their fans, from the ones who have been there since the very beginning, to the new ones they will continue to make along the way. Simple Plan has proven that even after 8 million albums sold worldwide, you can still be just a kid. The night had to come to a close and it is to the song “Perfect” the crowd say goodbye, but not for long. The guys still have two dates in the region this summer, in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Gatineau before heading off to Mexico and doing a South American tour.