Simple Plan finds a new generation of listeners
A massive wave of new fans is discovering Simple Plan decades after their mainstream breakthrough, with drummer Chuck Comeau telling Billboard that some shows now see up to 85% of the crowd hearing the band live for the first time.
The Montreal pop-punk group is experiencing a demographic shift where listeners who were not even born when “I’m Just a Kid” debuted in 2002 are now filling venues. This surge in interest is being driven by a mix of original fans bringing their children to shows and a viral TikTok trend that encouraged users to recreate childhood photos using the band’s music.
Comeau described the TikTok momentum as a “gigantic gift.” He noted that while the platform is new, the band has always maintained a digital presence, sharing backstage footage through their own website and DVDs long before the rise of short-form video social media.
Genre boundaries dissolve through streaming
The band's current touring schedule reflects how music consumption is changing. They are set to perform at the Good Things Festival in Australia this December, appearing on a lineup that blends pop-punk with nu-metal and hardcore. The festival will visit Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Dec. 4, the Sydney Showground on Dec. 5, and the Brisbane Showgrounds on Dec. 6.
The lineup includes Limp Bizkit, Spiritbox, the All-American Rejects, Bad Religion, and MxPx. Comeau admitted that such a diverse billing might have been intimidating 25 years ago, but he credits streaming services with breaking down the rigid scene boundaries that once separated different rock subgenres.
“At first, you’re a little terrified,” Comeau said, referring to sharing stages with heavier acts like Slipknot. “You’re like, ‘How’s that gonna go?’ And then you actually realize that people are stoked.”
According to Billboard, this marks the band’s third trip to Australia in three years. Comeau expressed a strong affinity for the region, stating that they look for any excuse to return.
The challenge of a 25-year legacy
As the band enters its third decade, the creative focus has shifted toward longevity and intentionality. Simple Plan has begun writing their seventh studio album, with recording expected to continue into 2027. Comeau emphasized that the band has no intention of rushing the process, noting that they have released six albums over a 25-year career.
The upcoming project follows 2022’s Harder Than It Looks. Rather than attempting a radical stylistic shift, the band aims to refine their established sound. Comeau addressed the difficulty of following up on hits that defined the teenage years of an entire generation.
“When you get to this stage of your career, you’re almost playing against yourself,” Comeau told Billboard. “You’re playing against your history.”
He added that because they are no longer a “new shiny young band,” the group must work harder to capture the attention of modern audiences. This philosophy informs their refusal to set strict deadlines for new material, with Comeau observing that there is never a good time for a bad record.
Expanding the brand into literature
The band is also preparing for a milestone in 2027 that moves beyond music.
The project was inspired by the aging of their original fanbase. Comeau noted that as the fans who grew up with the band’s songs about school and friendships began starting families, the band wanted to participate in that new chapter of their lives. He described the book as being intended for both parents and children.
While 2025 will mark the 25th anniversary of their debut album, No Pads, No Helmets…Just Balls, the band is not planning a full anniversary tour. Instead, they are considering special-edition vinyl releases and select anniversary performances.
Comeau maintained that the band has never gone on hiatus or staged a reunion, and he dismissed any rumors of a farewell tour, stating that such a move is “not in the cards for now.”
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