Despite a cold and rainy Saturday, May 4th, 2024, the spirit of Asbury Park’s Stone Pony Summer Stage remained undamped. Dedicated fans, bundled in rain gear and jackets, packed the venue for Sum 41′s farewell performance on their “Setting Sum” tour, proving that a little bad weather couldn’t keep them from celebrating the band’s legacy.
Taking the stage around 8:40 pm, Sum 41 launched into a nearly two-hour set that crackled with raw energy. The legendary New Jersey venue pulsed with a vibrant mix of generations, all united in their love for the Canadian punk rockers.
From the opening chords of “Motivation” to the final notes of “Still Waiting,” the crowd sang along at the top of their lungs, a testament to Sum 41’s enduring anthems.
The band delivered a powerhouse performance, showcasing their tight musicianship and undeniable chemistry. Dave Baksh and Tom Thacker’s electrifying riffs ignited the mosh pits, while frontman Deryck Whibley’s charismatic stage presence kept the audience captivated.
Drummer Frank Zummo also unleashed a thunderous drum solo that punctuated the energy further, showcasing his technical prowess and adding another layer of excitement to the set.
The setlist itself served as a satisfying journey through Sum 41’s career, featuring beloved classics like “The Hell Song,” “Fat Lip,” and “Pieces,” as well as newer tracks like “Landmines,” “Dopamine,” and “Rise Up” from their latest album, “Heaven x Hell.”
One of the most heartfelt and touching moments came when Whibley strapped on his prized “White Gold” guitar for a rendition of Merle Kilgore’s “Ring of Fire” in the style of Social Distortion.
He explained the guitar’s significance, noting how it was used on Social Distortion’s White Light, White Heat, White Trash, an album that profoundly impacted him.
The energy remained electric as the band launched into their first of 2 encores featuring two beloved tracks “Summer” and “In Too Deep” sandwiched between the new song “Waiting on a Twist of Fate.”
Just when the crowd thought the night was over, the band surprised them with a double encore, returning for a poignant performance of “So Long Goodbye.” Whibley’s emotional vocals and the song’s slower tempo created a bittersweet yet fitting closure to the evening.
The band’s gratitude for their fans was palpable throughout the show. Whibley acknowledged the effort it takes to attend a concert, thanking everyone for their unwavering support over the years.
He mentioned the challenges of high-priced tickets, travel, and parking, emphasizing that being there together was the most important part.
Despite the initial chill and rain, the crowd’s energy remained infectious, creating a warm and lively atmosphere. Mosh pits erupted, bodies crowd-surfed, and voices chorused in unison, a testament to the shared love for Sum 41’s music.
The band’s infectious energy and the crowd’s enthusiastic response made this a truly unforgettable night.
While the news of Sum 41’s farewell tour may bring a touch of sadness, this Asbury Park performance served as a powerful reminder of their enduring legacy.
For those who missed the show, the band continues to tour until January 2025, offering one last chance to catch their electrifying live show (dates below). If you’re a fan, don’t miss this opportunity to see Sum 41 one last time before they “Set Sum” for good.
Sum41 Tour Dates
Tri-state area fans can catch Sum 41 in May with support from The Interrupters this May. On Wednesday, May 8th they will be in Reading, PA and then on the 18th, they will be playing Philadelphia. See full dates below and get more information at their official website.
May 8 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena^
May 9 – Raleigh, NC – The Red Hat Amphitheater^
May 11 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy^
May 12 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville*
May 14 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium^
May 15 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre^
May 17 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple*
May 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at The Mann^
May 19 – Norfolk, VA – Chartway Arena^
June 14 – Hradec, Czechia – Rock For People*
June 15 – Nickelsdorf, Austria – Nova Rock*
June 16 – Derby, United Kingdom – Download Festival*
June 19 – Dublin, Ireland – Fairview Park
June 21 – Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany – Southside Festival*
June 22 – Lyon, France – Slamdunk*
June 23 – Schneesel, Germany – Hurricane Festival*
June 26 – Viviero, Spain – Resurection*
June 28 – Ysselsteyn, Netherlands – Jera on Air*
June 29 – GeiselWind, Germany – Mission Ready*
June 30 – Marmande, France – Garorock*
July 4 – Nantes, France – La Nuit de l’Erdre*
July 5 – Werchter, Belgium – Rock Werchter*
July 6 – Belfort, France – Les Eurockéennes*
July 7 – Hunxe, Germany – Ruhrpott Rodeo*
July 9 – Milan, Italy – I-Days*
July 11 – Argeles sur mar, France – Les Deferlantes*
July 12 – Madrid, Spain – Madcool*
July 13 – Lisbon, Portugal – Nos Alive*
August 1 – Rimouski, Quebec – Parc Beausejour
August 7 – Saguenay, Quebec – La Baie’s Harbor Village Agora*
August 8 – Québec, Quebec – Quebec City Old Port Agora*
August 9 – Victoriaville, Quebec – Rock La Cauze*
September 4 – San Francisco, CA – Masonic Auditorium^
September 6 – Portland, OR – Alaska Airlines’ Theater Of The Clouds^
September 7 – Seattle, WA – Wamu Theater^
September 8 – Boise, ID – Revolution Concert House and Event Center^
September 10 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Lot at The Complex^
September 11 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre^
September 12 – Des Moines, IA – Vibrant Music Hall^
September 14 – Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple^
September 15 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center^
September 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – UPMC Events Center^
September 23 – Miami, FL – The Fillmore Miami Beach^
September 24 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Amphitheater^
September 28 – Austin, TX – H-E-B Center at Cedar Park^
September 29 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall^
September 30 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory^
October 2 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre^
October 3 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater^
October 5 – Las Vegas, NV – Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino^
November 23 – Nanterre, France – Paris La Défense Arena – SOLD OUT
January 30, 2025 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena – FINAL SHOW
* Festival Appearance | ^ with The Interrupters
For more information on Sum 41 and their tour check out their official website, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). Find their music streaming now on Amazon and other platforms.
About Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of Deryck Whibley (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards), Dave Baksh (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jason McCaslin (bass, backing vocals), Tom Thacker (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals), and Frank Zummo (drums, occasional backing vocals).
