By Christina Marchioni – Special to SWOMP
Generations of pop punk princesses and princes descended on Canada Life Place in London, Ontario, for a sold-out show that celebrated the enduring legacy of one of pop punk’s greatest stars — Avril Lavigne. Currently touring across North America, Lavigne is lighting up arenas with her Greatest Hits Tour, proving that her rebellious spirit and emotional anthems still strike a chord with fans of all ages.
Lavigne, who helped define the pop punk scene of the early 2000s, has left an indelible mark — her legacy was reflected in the crowd: striped armbands, studded wrist cuffs, pink hair streaks, and plaid skirts paid tribute to a time when eyeliner and angst ruled the airwaves.
Kicking off the evening was Florida based pop-rock band We the Kings, best known for their breakout hit “Check Yes Juliet.”
Despite a minimalist stage setup and subdued lighting, the band delivered a dynamic and high-energy performance that immediately ignited the crowd’s excitement. With infectious enthusiasm, they launched into well loved tracks like “When We Were Young,” “Skyway Avenue,” and “I Feel Alive,” setting the tone for a night steeped in nostalgia.
Canadian rocker Fefe Dobson followed with an electric set.
Though her stage setup also remained minimal, the energy was anything but.
As the intro to the all-time classic “My Way” by Frank Sinatra played through the speakers, Fefe burst onto the stage beneath vibrant colored lights, donning a studded cap and a dramatic leather coat—her flair for fashion on full display. Her setlist included fan favorites like “Ghost”, “Bye Bye Boyfriend”, and “Take Me Away”, all delivered with powerful vocals and fierce energy that kept the audience on their feet.
But it was Avril’s entrance that sent the arena into overdrive.
Kicking off her set with “Girlfriend”, a hit from the 2007 album The Best Damn Thing, she appeared in front of a massive pink heart-and-skull design, bathed in bright pink lights as she danced across the stage.
As she greeted the sold-out arena, Avril also gave a shoutout to the London Knights, honouring their recent Memorial Cup victory and sending the crowd into an even louder roar of hometown pride.
She rolled through her classic tracks like “Complicated”, from her 2002 debut album “Let Go”, to popular releases like “Here’s to Never Growing Up”, from her 2013 self-titled album Avril Lavigne, “My Happy Ending” from her 2003 album Under My Skin and even treated fans to a cover of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony” Club.
A touching moment came mid-set when Lavigne brought her mom, Judy, on stage, introducing her to the audience with warmth and gratitude.
She recalled how Judy had recognized her potential as early as age two and her parents always encouraged her to pursue a music career, which eventually led to Avril signing a record deal at just 16 — a heartfelt reminder of the support behind the scenes that helped shape her journey.
The night continued with emotional performances of “Don’t Tell Me”, “Keep Holding On”, and “Breakaway”—a song Avril originally wrote but passed on to Kelly Clarkson. The set also featured a powerful drum solo from her drummer Chris, and the live debut of her new song “Young & Dumb”, recorded with Simple Plan.
During the performance, she invited several fans onstage and surprised them with autographed skateboards.
As the show continued with “Bite Me”, from her seventh studio album Love Sux, a sea of red and black balloons flooded the arena, bouncing through the crowd in a whirlwind of energy.
Avril closed the night with her defining anthem, “Sk8er Boi”, leaving not a single voice silent in the arena.
Billed as “The Greatest Hits Tour,” the show delivered exactly what fans were hoping for—a set packed with Avril Lavigne’s most iconic songs from across her career. With her signature edge, infectious energy, and undeniable stage presence, Avril united multiple generations in a nostalgic, high-energy celebration.
Fans sang along to every word, reconnecting with the music that defined their youth in what felt like a full-circle moment.
More than just a Canadian icon, Avril remains a timeless voice for those who live for rock and roll with a touch of glam—and continues to reign as the undisputed queen of the pop punk genre she helped shape.
Here the photos captured by Christina Marchioni:
Avril Lavigne
Fefe Dobson
We The Kings
