Bowling For Soup have cultivated such a wonderful global reputation (the last time we saw the band was at The Showbox in Seattle, funnily enough), since the early 90s when they burst onto the scene with their unique and comical take on pop-punk. Indeed, few bands from that genre have lasted as long, or entertained as many people across age groups (there are many parents and kids here tonight), or have travelled as extensively as Bowling For Soup. Here we are in Hull, East Yorkshire, typically not seen as a destination tour date for American bands (with notable exceptions – Corey Taylor and The Offspring have stopped in at Connexin Live (formerly Bonus Arena) before now.
The city may have taken the longest to sell-out on this tour, but my lord are ‘Ull out in force for this show – from the DJ (legendary Matt Stocks) to the fun, upbeat country rock of Vandoliers (‘Every Saturday Night’ is such a banger). The band also wow with a great cover of ‘500 Miles’ by The Proclaimers to close out their set, thanking everyone for showing up for the opening band.
Following that, East Yorkshire is treated to Less Than Jake’s now iconic ska-tinged punk sound (‘All My Friends Are Metal Heads’ is still an proper anthem for the underground). As the band launch into ‘The High Cost Of Low Living’ they share how they’d stayed at the local Ibis, where all hotel rooms were £400 if they bought drinks at the bar! Glamorous! ‘Gainesville Rock City’ and ‘The Science Of Selling Myself Short’ are particular highlights tonight, as one might expect!
It is clear as we get ready for the headliners to take the stage, that this tour and bill will go down as one of the area’s biggest gets of the 2024. Each band, and artist is on top form, creating lasting memories for families, punks and metalheads from across the North of England.
Now on to BFS, who, earlier in the day, enjoyed breakfast wraps at the local Wetherspoons, in order to really take in Hull, a proud former city of culture!
In all seriousness though, Bowling For Soup is a band that has brought hope, humour and pop-tinged punk bangers for as long as much of this crowd has been alive. As much as ‘Punk Rock 101’ and ‘Girl All The Bad Guys Want’ hit hard to whip the crowd into a frenzy, emotive anthems like ‘Turbulence’ remind of the band’s collective songwriting chops, and ability to really connect with their supporters. On that note there are some touching moments here – congrats to Hannah for winning a signed guitar, and to John for beating cancer, and getting on stage with the band! Ahh yes, and to the young lad (Jake) who’d held up a sign the whole night to perform ‘Girl All The Bad Guys…’ with the band, and actually got to do it!
Long may BFS live, to bring joy to the masses. The legacy of the group will be as one of those special bands that made so many people, so very happy. Not just with their songs, but the overall vibe of the show – the inclusivity, passion and energy, just as much as those trademark punchy riffs. Bloody brilliant all round.
