Sum 41 Say Farewell To Reading, PA With Electrifying Performance

Tour Of The Setting Sum

What started in 1996 as some highschool kids playing music has spiraled into a long, successful and impactful career as rockstars. Sum 41 inked their record deal in 1999 and burst onto the scene with their fast-paced, attitude-driven brand of punk rock somewhere between 80’s metal and the TRL era of Nu-metals rise of bands like Limp Bizkit and Korn on MTV, 5 Toronto teenagers shook things up. 

In 2001 the band released their debut record, All Killer No Filler, mainstream success followed thanks to their first single “Fat Lip” and the rest is history. Since their arrival, the road hasn’t always been smooth but through it all multiple albums and sold out tours across the world make Sum 41 not only culturally respected in the punk scene but also a household name. 

Deryck Whibley who has played the role of the band’s frontman for the past 25 years has survived line-up changes, record label switches, and his own personal battles, one being a divorce very much in the spotlight. To say Whibley has sacrificed and struggled for Sum 41 is an understatement; he almost died not once but twice and yet today Sum 41 stands tall and proud as his testament to survival. Last month he also hit the amazing accomplishment of a decade of sobriety.

Back in May of 2023 the band announced their time was coming to a close and after a tour supporting The Offspring last summer the band is now on the road in support of their final album Heaven :X: Hell which was released back in March of this year and Tour of The Setting Sum is the band’s final celebration and they brought the amazing Interrupters to join the party.

Wednesday night May 8th, the band took to Reading, Pennsylvania’s Santander Arena for the first and now last time. 

Kicking off the night were the legendary Los Angeles natives The Interrupters, who are always an absolute blast to see live.

Led by singer Aimee Interrupter the band began their set with “Take Back The Power” and “Title Holder” Before going into an amazing rendition of Bob Marley’s “Judge Not”.

The band is out in support of their latest album In The Wild which was released back in 2023. 

The band’s energy was infectious, relying on musicianship and their love for the songs. The set is very straightforward and driven by passion and fun rather than flashy production tricks.

As always, whether playing a cover by Van Halen or even Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” the band sounds huge, and clear and owns the stage with a commanding stage presence only Aimee can deliver. 

Whipping out fan favorites like “Kiss The Ground” and “Gave You Everything” Reading, PA was just as much out there to see The Interrupters as they were for Sum 41. One of the best things about seeing the Interrupters is how much fun the band is having playing these shows. Aimee’s interactions with the crowd are everything and the energy is tangible between the band and the crowd.  

They absolutely crushed their set and were a perfect balance and addition to the show, the crowd was definitely warmed up for the headliners after their 45-minute set. 

Now it was time for the bittersweet moment, it was time to celebrate the incredible career of Sum 41 but also sing along to these amazing songs one last time. If you’re like me and without aging myself, Sum 41 was a big part of my upbringing.

As an angsty team and still to this day much of the band’s songs and very well Whibley’s lyrics still very much resonate whether in the modern day or as a memory of our youth. 

Sum 41 spared nothing on this tour, Santander is an arena and the band brought full arena production. Pyro, confetti, plastic beach balls, and laser lights galore. The show is a complete production and a career-spanning setlist. The band kicked off their set with “Motivation” and “The Hell Song” and it was flames galore. 

Whibley and company were sonically impeccable and vocally the best I’ve heard to date, the showmanship is top notch and the energy is off the charts.

Each member commands the stage and the heat isn’t just coming from the flames. The punk rockers rip through an expansive setlist of 24 songs that, as you’re listening are really the band’s impressive collection of hits. 

For nearly 2 hours diehard fans jumped, crowd surfed, and screamed to songs like “Fat Lip”, “In Too Deep”, “Still Waiting”, “Over My Head” and “We’re All To Blame” just to name a few, not including the awesome cover of Queen’s “We Will Rock You”. 

Just like that after 21 songs and a 3-song encore, I said goodbye to my younger years. I feel a sense of appreciation, a sense of gratitude, and a sense of hope for the future. 

Thank you Sum 41!!!

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!

If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see. 

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