With the announcement over a year ago that Sum 41 would be disbanding following the release of their final album “Heaven x Hell” and the headlining tour to coincide with the release, I fully anticipated a packed crowd at The NorVa in Norfolk, VA on May 19. Even with the concert falling on a Sunday with the work week looming ahead, fans showed up for a concert to remember.
Before the Ontario based rock band took the stage, the crowd was treated to a highly energized performance from the ska punk band The Interrupters. Not only did the band manage to get the crowd hyped up early on, but their interactions with the crowd were top tier. At one point during the performance, singer Aimee Interrupter’s microphone power cut out, but the crowd didn’t miss a beat and picked up the vocals until the power came back. Once the set was over, the band continued to engage with the crowd by greeting fans along the barricade, passing out guitar picks and drumsticks, as well as signing anything fans had to offer.
Right before Sum 41 took the stage, I looked out over the crowd. I have never seen The NorVa quite so packed in all my times of attending shows there. It was clear no one wanted to miss the chance to see Sum 41 perform for what may be the very last time as a band.
Once the lights went down indicating the band was about to take the stage, the energy from the crowd never dwindled the rest of the evening. Sum 41 made sure they were going to go out big, offering not only hit after hit of both older and newer songs, but they were bringing out all the effects, such as confetti, streamers (which did end up getting caught in the giant metal fan spinning directly above the floor of The NorVa), lasers, smoke, and even giant balloons.
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Singer Deryck Whibley kept the crowd energized and moving by encouraging jumping in place, as well as opening up pits on the floor, all while he was running from one side of the stage to the other. The energy from both the crowd and the band never faltered the entire night through what was an incredible setlist.
The first leg of the final tour featuring US tour dates wrapped up with this performance in Norfolk, but a second leg will begin later this summer. They will also be touring in the UK starting in June. If you are able to make it to one of Sum 41’s final performances, I highly recommend you do so for a fun and unforgettable event.
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