Since Affinity Place opened in 2011, it has been the site of some loud, boisterous and energetic concerts that have delighted spectators.
But Saturday night’s concert at the events centre, featuring The Offspring and SUM 41, might have been the loudest yet.
A large crowd attended Saturday night’s show, and the majority of the fans were on the floor of the arena. There weren’t any floor seats for this particular concert, which allowed fans to stand and dance, jump up and down and even crowd surf.
The concert started with opening act Dinosaur Pile Up, and the group did their part by delivering an energetic performance for the crowd.
Then SUM 41 took to the stage for their performance. The veteran Canadian punk-rock group opened their set by playing Turning Away, The Hell Song and Motivation. There were recent songs like Out for Blood and A Death in the Family, and a cover of Queen’s We Will Rock You, before they launched into some of their biggest hits like Pieces, In too Deep, Fat Lip and Still Waiting.
And throughout their set, SUM 41 was interacting with the audience, telling the crowd how eager they were to be in Estevan.
The event wrapped up with long-time American punk-rock group The Offspring. They opened by singing Americana, All I Want and Come out and Play. Then they played their latest song, It Won’t get Better, before playing hits like Want you Bad and Original Prankster.
They also had a cover song with Whole Lotta Rosie by AC/DC.
While they had their comedic interactions with the crowd, there were also poignant moments, such as when lead singer Dexter Holland played Gone Away on the piano as a tribute to people he knows who have died too young. Spectators turned on their cell phone lights and other lights during the song.
Beach balls bounced around the audience during the playing of Why Don’t You Get a Job. Their set concluded with a couple of their biggest hits Pretty Fly (for a White Guy), the Kids Aren’t All Right, and the encore songs were You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid, followed by Self Esteem.
The members of the Offspring noted they have passed through Estevan in the past, but this was their first time performing here. They were quick to add it won’t be their last.
The next edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
