Bowling For Soup – Aviva Studios Manchester 8th Feb 2025 – Gig Review

I traveled down to Aviva Studios in Manchester after a 2-year hiatus on the music scene, due to college studies to go and see Bowling For Soups ‘A Hangover You Don’t Deserve’ Tour, which is their 20th Anniversary tour!

I was so nervous about attending a concert on my own, in a venue that I had never attended before.

I was instantly greeted at the venue by some Bowling for Soup fan club members who were like ‘Hey you on your own? come sit with us.’ These kind-hearted individuals instantly calmed my nerves. It’s true what they say BFS fans are the best in the world. They took me into their little group and the rest was history.

Having a VIP meet & greet pass for BFS I was fortunate enough to go upstairs into the arena where we were able to have 3 private acoustic songs, a professional photo and signed merch.

Then we all took our places to watch the show as the venue filled up.

The anticipation of this gig was so overwhelming, that there was a tangible energy in the venue, along with the aroma of beer which filled the air. I have never seen more bar staff in a venue than there was at this one, and the service was extremely quick to boot.

As a sea of faces quickly filled the room illuminated by the stage lights the 1st band hit the stage.

Magnolia Park are an American pop punk/alternative rock/metalcore band formed back in 2018, signed to Epitaph Records bounded out in front of the audience, and got everyone revved up.

They started the night with their song ‘Misfits’, which was released back in 2022 from their Baku’s Revenge album.

Joshua Robert’s vocals are on point throughout the band’s set, some say he has a hint of the late great Chester Bennington with his vocal ability, and I can see this here tonight.

Tonight was my 1st time at this venue and 1st time seeing this band, and Magnolia Park managed to get crowd surfers up and over the barrier much to the security dislike, and a metal mosh pit flowing with people bouncing off one another.

What I wasn’t expecting from this band as they seemed pretty hardcore was for them to do a cover of I2I, which the crowd bounced about and sang along to. The younger generation knows this as it was used in the Disney Classic – A Goofy Movie.

The band smashed this along and I greatly enjoyed their set as a 1st time newbie to this band. They are a band I will be going to see again in the future and would certainly recommend to others to check out. Check out their Facebook HERE

Yes, I probably fan-girl a little too much when they came out and hit the stage and sang my heart out to every song. It’s my era so don’t judge!

Formed in 1995 and signed to Columbia/SONY, Wheatus are predominately known for their single released in 2000, used as the soundtrack to the world-renowned comedy/romance movie American Pie ‘Teenage Dirtbag’.

Watching his band for the 1st time live for me, was incredible, being able to hear the classics such as the cover of Erasure’s ‘Little Respect’, was mind-bending.

Such a crowd-pleasing performance and Brendan got the attention of the audience from the moment he walked on stage until the moment he ended his set. Not a chord out of place.

I didn’t want this set to end, I wanted more, I wanted a full night of Wheatus at this point and had forgotten I had come to see Bowling Soup. You know when you have been eager to see a band for so long, and you finally get to see them, I was like a kid in a candy shop, I wanted everything they had to offer.
Check out Wheatus HERE

Every time I have seen Bowling For Soup live, they never disappoint!

What was amazing about tonight on their tour, they had chosen Manchester to film their latest live album! Yes, I had my fan girl moment hearing this, the crowd erupted with cheers, it was a special moment that will go down in BFS history!

The only thing missing from tonight was Chris Burney! We all miss you, Chris!

As soon as the guys stepped out Jaret started ripping it up on stage, they certainly know how to party hard and this shows on stage as they rock out hard!

When they stepped out and took to the stage kicking off with ‘Almost’ everyone erupted in cheers, a testament to this band’s great legacy.

From their classic hits to older lesser-known tracks, everyone was in high spirits.

It’s no secret this band has been a favorite of mine spanning back a decade, from the moment I heard ‘The Bitch Song’ , I was hooked.

Their infectious energy, catchy melodies, and juvenile but relatable lyrics are ones i will sing along to until im old and grey (40 is not old!) haha! That’s exactly what i did here tonight, sang my heart out and danced about like an idiot. BFS always gives you that feel-good energy, and that’s just what I got here at this gig tonight, a dose of BFS medicine which is just what i needed.

Their music continues to be the soundtrack to my youth, where radio hits such as ‘Girls All the Bad Guys Want’, will be forever etched in my mind as something we blasted out over the tannoy in college, and denied we were ever in the office for it to be us that played it.

Their music is a constant source of feel-good nostalgia, music that my now 12-year-old plays and loves. Music that we can enjoy together as a family, and when venues allow it I can take her to enjoy and experience for herself.

Let’s scrap age limits at venues and allow the younger generation to enjoy this music as well!

This magnificent venue was maxed out to capacity, all attendees mingled sporting band t-shirts and crazy hairstyles there was an electrifying buzz amongst the crowds.

They had guest appearances from John James Ryan on the saxophone, to Wheatus bassist Matthew Milligan joining BFS on stage playing the keyboard.

This show just threw everything at you, a memorizing spectacle of lights and sound, these iconic headliners delivered an outstanding set of powerful anthems that echoed throughout the night and united people from all walks of life who came together to share this incredible concert.

1)Almost

2)Trucker Hat

3)1985

4)Get Happy

5)Ohio

6)Ridiculous

7)Shut up and smile

8)Last Call Casualty

9)Next ex-girlfriend

10)A-Hole

11)My Hometown

12)Smoothie King

13)Sad Sad Situation

14)The Bitch Song (spin the wheel song)

15)Really Might Be Gone

16)Down For The Count

17)Two Seater

18)Friends o’ Mine

19)High School Never Ends

20)Today is going to be a great day

21)Girl All The Bad Guys Want