Wednesday night The Offspring took the stage at a packed Bonnette’s Energy Centre in Grande Prairie and safe to say the show was smash hit amongst those in attendance. I was taken a back a bit at how many teenagers and even kids were the show, I didn’t realize how much those ages enjoy their music.
The merch line was the longest and sustained line I have ever seen at a concert, the concession was really lined up the only thing that wasn’t lined up, strangely was the bathroom line. I did feel a minimum of $65 for a t-shift was a bit much, but like I said that was a massive and sustained line up that the fans didn’t mind. I managed to grab a shirt before I left (despite not wanting to drop that kind of money) and they only had 1 style of shirt in my size.
The Offspring would have Bad Religion as an opener, a group I knew the name of but not familiar with. Their style of music wasn’t to my personal taste but a few songs stood out quite well to me.
Prior to The Offspring hit the stage they had a blimp flying around and plenty of fan engagement with many “cams.” These “cams” were your kiss cam, dance cam, booty cam and another one I can not name for the language used. I enjoyed the fan engagement in the intermission between the acts but felt they were just one right after another, with no break between them. It became hard to deal with.
When The Offspring took the stage and the crowd was into it from the get go and they never lost the crowd once during their set. Playing classics like “Come Out And Play” and covers of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”, Black Sabbath’s Paranoid” long with some Ramones thrown in for good measure. A piano was brought out near the end for a piano rendition of “Gone Away” which would turn into a cover I never thought I would hear at their show “Hey Jude”. The performance of “Hey Jude” led to everyone in the crowd singing along, which I liken to the “Hey Jude” scene in Ted Lasso. For me I longed to hear them play “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” which was my introduction to the band. In the encore is where they would play “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” and “Self Esteem.”
I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Offspring at this show, but I can say that I will await their return to Grande Prairie, which I am sure they will return after the success of this show. Next time I may skip the merch next time given the high costs. But you will want to be at the their next GP show.
Check out photos from the show below:
– Everett
