Concert Review: Avril Lavigne at Xfinity Theater
After over 20 years of rocking out across stages worldwide, Avril Lavigne is back having her own Era’s tour moment on her Greatist Hits Tour. Equipped with her beloved, chart-topping catalog featuring hits like, “Sk8ter Boi,” “Girlfriend,” and “Complicated,” Avril is more than ready to show audiences how the shelf life of her discography has stood 2 decades strong since beginning her career at 16. Stopping at the illustrious Xfinity Theater in Hartford, Connecticut, this tour gives Lavigne and her fans the chance to embrace nostalgia and reconnect with the music that may have shaped some of the most important moments of their lives. Dawning their crafty black and pink Avril-themed outfits and color-dyed hair, fans of all ages filed into the theater excited to dance the night away to their favorite hits from Avril.
Right out of the gate, Avril Lavigne set the tone for an unforgettable night, opening with a nostalgic flashback video that took the audience through her early days in the music industry. As the screen faded and the lights dimmed, Avril hit the stage on a platform wearing an outfit layered with symbols and words from her biggest hits—like “WTH” for “What the Hell” and “MFP” for her iconic “Motherf***ing Princess” persona. Behind her, played visuals of a bright pink and plaid skull and cross bones, a consistent symbol throughout her career. She kicked things off with an energetic performance of “Girlfriend,” pyro, and flashing the infamous lyrics instantly electrifying the crowd, before moving into fan-favorite “What the Hell.” Her voice carried through effortlessly as she followed with the emotional “Complicated,” bringing both intensity and nostalgia. By the time she hit “Smile” and “Here’s to Never Growing Up,” the audience was fully immersed in the magic of the night, transported by Avril’s rebellious yet heartfelt performance.
Out of the darkness, a Facetime call from, you guessed it, Avril quickly popped up on the main screen. Answering the call was the opening band for the tour, Simple Plan, which quickly leaned into a fun comedic skit leading them to join Avril on stage for a duet of Simple Plans track “Addicted.” Following the members as they ran from backstage, it wasn’t long before they burst out from behind the curtains and it was finally Avril’s “favorite part of the show.” 2 adults and 2 younger fans were chosen from the crowd to receive special gifts, including some skateboards and photos with the artists! Then together, with the help of an energetic crowd, they delivered a thrilling performance of “Addicted”, with the added touch of more pyro, before moving on to play “Bite Me” and “Love It When You Hate Me” off of her latest album “Luv Sux,” along with a song that needs no introduction, “Sk8ter Boi.”
For her dramatic closer, Lavigne whisked onto the stage in an all-white hooded cloak that trailed a glorious train behind her. Ghostly and ethereal, Avril gave the crowd an emotional encore of “Head Above Water” and “I’m With You.” As visuals of crashing waves played behind her, Avril’s high notes echoed eerily clear throughout the theater. Singing the chorus of “Head Above Water,” there was no denying her acute breath control and ease in maneuvering her vocal range dynamics. Closing out with “I’m With You,” pieces of white confetti began to trickle down onto the audience, mimicking an icy, peaceful winter scene.
Lavigne’s Greatest Hits tour is a true celebration of years of hard work, personal evolution, and the longstanding connection she has with her fans that has spanned across generations. Avril and her team have left no detail on the table for this tour, with the extensive set design, colorful visual flashbacks, wardrobe, and makeup,..all of it creating an extensive, immersive extension of her story that undeniably reminds everyone truly who the princess of pop-punk is.
If you haven’t seen it already, experience Avril’s Greatest Hits Tour as she continues to play across North America and concludes in Canada this September.
For more photos of Avril Lavigne at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut click here.
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