Sum 41 and The Interrupters @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre, Charlotte, NC 5-15-24

It’s been a little over a year since Canadian pop-punk legends Sum 41 shocked the music world by announcing their disbandment following the release of their last album. The double album ‘Heaven :X: Hell’ dropped at the end of March and the band has been busy hitting the road on their final tour playing to capacity crowds across the country on The Tour of the Setting Sum. Their recent tour stop in Charlotte is proof that although the band may be saying goodbye, they are definitely going out with a bang.

The evening got off to a slow start as we were in the midst of a full-on rain delay due to heavy rain and lightning in the area. Luckily, the skies started to brighten up as we anxiously awaited any word on whether the show would go on, and things were cleared to continue. Kicking off the evening’s festivities was the ska-punk band The Interrupters. Now, if you’ve never seen The Interrupters, let me tell you, you’re definitely missing out. The band brings a great energy and their music is a very cool blend of ska with all the crunch of punk rock. Led by lead vocalist Aimee Interrupter, the band got the crowd going with a rousing set that had guitarist Kevin Bivona and bass guitarist Justin Bivona leaping and jumping all over the stage while Aimee interacted with the fans up front. It was a fun time had by all and a great way to brighten our spirits and get the show started. If you’re heading out to see the tour this fall, be sure and get their early enough to catch this amazing live performance.

After a short break for the stage to be prepared, it was finally time for the main event. The stage went dark as the strains of AC/DC’s “T.N.T.” began to play, before I knew it we were caught up in a whirlwind of excitement as the band came out with “Motivation.” There was cryo cannons going off like wildfire as the pyro blazed across the stage. There was a riser upon which sat Frank Zummo’s drumkit as guitarist and keyboardist Tom Thacker flanked the other side. Down front were guitarist Dave Baksh and bassist Jason McCaslin on each side of the stage with lead vocalist Deryck Whibley in the middle of the madness.

The band sounded amazing and Deryck has never sounded better as he led Sum 41 through a set that took us to Heaven, Hell, and back again with all the classics fans could ask for mixed in between. We had medlies, covers, and even some touching moments with Whibley strapping on an acoustic guitar bathed in blue and white lights.

It was an evening to remember with a huge stage production, but most of all those magical audience-artist moments where we all come together as one, swaying, clapping, and singing along. After a full set, Sum 41 returned for a three-song encore giving the audience every ounce of energy they could muster and leaving us all “In Too Deep” one last time.

It’s the end of an era as the band bid their musical adieu to Charlotte, but the legend that is Sum 41 will live on.