LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Avril Lavigne in Mansfield, MA (08.24.24)
image by Patrick Moran for New England Sounds
Even over 20 years after Avril Lavigne made her debut, she is still constantly reminding audiences across the globe why she’s pop-punk’s princess on The Greatest Hits Tour. Lavigne released her acclaimed first album, Let Go (2002), over two decades ago, featuring the hit single “Complicated.” Today, Lavigne has garnered 8 Grammy nominations, and Let Go has been certified seven times Platinum. The Greatest Hits Tour enables audiences to experience the magic of Lavigne’s chart-topping singles like “Sk8er Boi,” “Girlfriend,” “What the Hell,“ and more, all on the same night. In 2023, Lavigne embarked on the Love Sux Tour, making only a handful of North American appearances, including Massachusetts’ premier music festival, Boston Calling. The anticipated The Greatest Hits Tour gives Lavigne the space to express herself fully and the fans a chance to enjoy a longer set spanning her beloved 7 album catalog.
It was a breezy evening at Xfinity Center as fans entered the amphitheater in arm warmers, plaid skirts, and fishnet tights to see the sold-out show. The crowd was a sea of dyed hair and pink highlights. Guests immediately hopped in line at the merchandise stands, unable to resist nostalgic t-shirts, hoodies, and a red and black striped tie, a signature of Lavigne’s style and grunge aesthetic. The energy was high, with groups of fans excitedly exploring the venue to find the best photo op.
The anticipation was palpable as the crew revealed Lavigne’s set for the night. The back screen featured Lavigne’s heart and bones logo, and the stage boasted a platform made of pink amps. The lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted at the sight of Lavigne’s album covers and previous logos when they flashed on the screens. The band began to play the instrumental to “Girlfriend,“ and Lavigne emerged, singing on top of the platform. She immediately commanded the venue, confidently strutted around the stage, and interacted with the audience. Her wave to two girls in pink fishnet tops caused them to burst into squeals of excitement.
Lavigne sported a hooded mesh moto jacket with neon pink and green patches featuring song titles, lyrics, and symbols from all her eras. “Wow! That’s a lot of people,“ she said while placing her microphone on her light-up hot pink mic stand. She frequently stopped to chat with the crowd between songs, asking who was “crazy bitch” before transitioning into the song “Smile“ from Goodbye Lullaby (2011). The next-level production held the excitement through each song, with 12-foot strands of pink confetti shooting through the crowd and pyrotechnics starting during the song “Hot.”
Lavigne disappeared behind the stage for a costume change, while a video montage from her life, music videos, and award show appearances played on the screen. She reappeared in a black oversized baseball jersey with red and black patches, again including lyrics and song titles from the setlist. She grabbed her red sparkly electric guitar and continued to captivate the crowd with her powerful vocals. Her band delivered sharp instrumentation, propelling the setlist forward. Before playing what she declared her “favorite song“ from her first album, “Losing Grip,“ she noticed a fan in the pit blowing bubbles. She excitedly asked who was doing it, praised them for the great idea, and said it made the night more “magical.“ This personal interaction made the audience feel even more connected to the performance.
Unexpectedly, a Facetime video popped up on the screen. It was a comedic skit where Lavigne invited her opening act, Simple Plan, back to the stage to perform together. Simple Plan burst out from behind the stage, exclaiming they would bring some fans up to sing “Addicted“ with Lavigne and the band. They selected a young boy and two sisters who received signed Lavigne skate decks and selfies. It was at this point that the amphitheater reached its peak energy level. Lavigne and Simple Plan threw t-shirts into the crowd and wielded fog guns. During “Bite Me,“ orange and black confetti strands and oversized balloons adorned the crowd, adding a surprising and fun element to the concert.
Lavigne surprised fans with one more costume change, appearing in an ethereal white hooded mesh long-sleeve dress and white platform boots. She gave an emotional two-song encore, performing “Head Above Water“ while videos of waves splashed on the screen behind her and her long white train blew in the wind. She closed the show with a powerful performance of “I’m With You“ that included sparks falling from the ceiling and small white confetti bits that looked like snow drifting out into the venue. Before leaving the stage, Lavigne expressed her palpable gratitude to the crowd and wished everyone a good night.
Lavigne captured the unique aesthetics of each album in one cohesive tour. She expressed her authentic creative vision through intentional production elements, creating an immersive experience for fans who have been there since the beginning and new fans. The set design, outfits, makeup, props, pyrotechnics, and visuals facilitated natural transitions between songs, creating an unforgettable night for the audience. The concert also featured surprise appearances and interactive elements, making it a truly unique experience. If you haven’t already, make sure to catch Lavigne live before The Greatest Hits Tour concludes in Canada this September.
Photos – Avil Lavigne at Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA on August 24th by Patrick Moran:
