Simple Plan Sets Off Summer Nostalgia at a Sold-Out Stone Pony Summer Stage
On a beautiful Wednesday night in Asbury Park, The Stone Pony Summer Stage was the epicenter of pop-punk joy. With a sold-out crowd, a boardwalk backdrop, and a four-band lineup stacked with early 2000s icons, the scene felt more like a festival than a regular show. Fans packed the venue, circled the block by mid-afternoon, and spilled into surrounding balconies and sidewalks just to catch the sound.
Simple Plan Ignites the Stage
Headliners Simple Plan brought both emotion and spectacle to close the night. Before the first note hit, those of us in the photo pit were warned by security to keep an eye on the smoke cannons. When someone asked how often they’d go off, the response was fast—“Almost always.” They weren’t kidding. The bursts of smoke punctuated nearly every chorus, adding dramatic flair to a set that was already buzzing with energy.
Opening with “I’d Do Anything,” the band wasted no time jumping into a crowd-pleasing set that balanced early hits with fan-favorite deep cuts. “Jump,” “Addicted,” and “Shut Up!” kept the pace urgent, while songs like “Untitled” and “Welcome to My Life” tapped into the feelings that defined a generation.
One of the most memorable moments came during “What’s New Scooby-Doo?” when fans dressed head-to-toe as Scooby-Doo were invited on stage to dance with the band. With even more Scoobies scattered through the crowd, it felt like a cartoon had burst into real life. The band followed that up with a mid-set mashup of “All Star,” “Sk8er Boi,” and “Mr. Brightside,” which had the entire venue shouting along.
Guest appearances rounded out the night. LOLO returned to sing her part on “Jet Lag,” and Bowling for Soup’s Jaret Reddick joined Pierre Bouvier for a rowdy duet of “I’m Just a Kid.” The set closed with “Perfect,” a slow-burning anthem that turned into a cathartic singalong under the Jersey sky.
Bowling for Soup Wins the Crowd with Laughs and Loud Singalongs
Before Simple Plan took over, Bowling for Soup delivered a masterclass in crowd connection. The Texas pop-punk veterans brought both their music and trademark wit, turning the stage into a comedy show with guitars.
They opened with “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” and plowed through fan favorites like “High School Never Ends,” “Ohio (Come Back to Texas),” and “Punk Rock 101.” A highlight came when they played “Stacy’s Mom,” a song famously misattributed to them. Jaret Reddick addressed it head-on: “It’s kind of like ours now,” he laughed. And judging by the crowd’s reaction, it might as well be.
Their ironic cover of Nickelback’s “Photograph” became a surprise singalong moment—what started as a joke turned into one of the most unifying songs of the night. The band could do no wrong. Even the people watching from the Watermark bar deck got a nod, with Reddick joking, “I’ll be sending you a bill after the show.” In truth, every surrounding surface, hotel balcony, and boardwalk and patch of grass was packed with people who just wanted to be part of the music.
3OH!3 Brings Electro Chaos and Big Hooks
3OH!3 flipped the energy switch with a set that turned the boardwalk into a dance party. The Colorado duo, known for their bombastic mix of electronic beats and pop-punk attitude, wasted no time throwing down hits like “DONTTRUSTME” and “Starstrukk.”
Their stage presence was wild and unpredictable, and their performance was pure chaos in the best possible way. With fists in the air and bodies bouncing to every drop, the crowd embraced the madness and partied like it was 2008 all over again.
LOLO Opens with Soul, Grit, and a Big Voice
Opening the show, LOLO made the most of a short but impactful set. Her mix of soulful vocals and punk-tinged rock cut through the early evening air. Originally Hailing from Tennessee, she commanded the stage with emotional honesty, and her performance stuck with the crowd long after she walked off—especially when she returned later for her duet with Simple Plan. A powerful start to the night.
A Crowd That Dressed Up and Took Over the Boardwalk
From the second the doors opened, the crowd brought its A-game. Fans wore Scooby-Doo onesies and Perry the Platypus hats, nodding to both Simple Plan’s and Bowling for Soup’s ties to pop culture. Generations collided—teens next to their parents, longtime fans reliving their youth beside kids discovering this music for the first time.
But the sold-out crowd wasn’t limited to ticket holders. Every area that could carry sound—sidewalks, rooftops, the beach — was filled with people dancing, singing, and just happy to be part of it. The Stone Pony Summer Stage felt less like a venue and more like a pop-punk block party.
