From Beach Balls to Confetti: A Night of Pure Pop-Punk Joy with The Offspring and Simple Plan in Helsinki

On a crisp October Tuesday night, Helsinki Ice Hall was buzzing with nostalgia and energy of pop-punk and punk rock in general. The Offspring and Simple Plan brought their co-headline tour to Finland, filling the sold out arena with thousands of fans eager to relive the soundtrack of their youth.

Opening the night, Simple Plan reminded everyone why they’ve endured for a quarter of a century. Celebrating their 25th anniversary as a band, the Canadian pop-punk veterans took the stage with contagious enthusiasm and an easy charm that instantly won over the Finnish crowd. Despite the years, the group radiated the same sincerity and fun-loving energy that made them famous in the early 00s. They came across as genuinely humble, down-to-earth guys simply happy to be performing again — especially after nearly a decade since their last Finnish show.

The band’s drummer Chuck Comeau especially stood out, delivering a tight, powerful performance that anchored their set with precision and passion. The singer Pierre Bouvier seemed to also be having fun running from side to side with a joy on his face. The lighting design was surprisingly elaborate for an opening act — a dazzling, professional-grade spectacle that could easily rival a headliner’s show. It’s hard to remember the last time an opener had such impressive light show.

Fans sang along to every chorus, waving arms and bouncing beach balls that flew across the crowd, creating a summer festival atmosphere despite the autumn chill outside. Chuck Comeau even crowd surfed a bit during their second last song and put on the Finnish ice hockey shirt on which for sure won some doubting crowd. There was something warm and heartfelt about the band’s presence overall and the way the audience responded. By the end of their set, Simple Plan had not only warmed up the hall but left it glowing.

Before The Offspring took over, the stage crew and video team kept the crowd entertained with a series of tongue-in-cheek “cams” displayed on the big screens: a Kiss Cam, a Headbang Cam, and even a mischievous “Fuck You Cam”. The audience loved it, laughing, cheering, and waving as cameras panned across the sea of faces. It was a clever and hilarious way to bridge the transition between acts — part comedy sketch, part crowd bonding exercise.

Then came The Offspring. As the Californian punk icons hit the stage, the first confetti cannons fired within half an hour, marking the beginning of a wild, high-energy ride through their decades-spanning catalogue. The band paid tribute to their influences with snippets of Black Sabbath’s “Electric Funeral” and “Paranoid,” as well as a spirited nod to Ozzy Osbourne with a taste of “Crazy Train.” It was a playful gesture from one set of rock legends to another — and the crowd roared in approval.

The Offspring’s young drummer Brandon Pertzborn was another drummer standout of the night — a powerhouse performer whose energy, speed, and precision brought a fresh spark to the classic material. Watching him attack the kit was pure fun.

As the set progressed, the band skillfully built momentum toward an explosive finale featuring all their biggest hits — “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy),” “Why Don’t You Get a Job?,” “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” and “Self Esteem.” The Ice Hall turned into one massive sing-along, voices echoing through the rafters as confetti rained down again in a perfect blend of nostalgia and celebration.

Both bands proved that pop-punk and punk rock are far from dead — they’ve simply grown up with their fans. Simple Plan’s warmth and professionalism paired perfectly with The Offspring’s raw, seasoned energy, creating a night that felt both classic and freshly alive.