Bowling for Soup Turns a Monday Night Into a Pop-Punk Party

Photojournalist: Sophia Bronwyn

Monday nights aren't typically known for packed concert venues and high-energy crowds, but First Avenue was anything but quiet when Bowling for Soup rolled into Minneapolis. The room remained full and energetic throughout the night, proving that a Monday couldn't keep fans from showing up ready to sing, laugh, and relive some of the band's most memorable songs.

The band wasted no time getting the night started, entering to their unmistakable Bowling for Soup theme song before launching into “Almost.” The opening notes were enough to send the crowd into motion, with fans immediately singing along and setting the tone for the rest of the evening.

Of course, a Bowling for Soup show wouldn't be complete without a little nostalgia. The band brought the Phineas and Ferb theme song into the set, giving the already-energized crowd another reason to sing along. The moment became even more memorable when members of the audience dressed as characters from the show were invited onto the stage, turning the performance into a celebration that felt just as much about the fans as it was about the band.

But beneath the jokes, nostalgia, and high-energy pop-punk, Bowling for Soup also made space for something much more important. Mental health advocacy has long been an important part of the band's connection with its audience, and throughout the night, they made sure to remind fans of the importance of taking care of their mental health and looking out for one another. It was a meaningful reminder that concerts can be more than just an escape for a few hours; they can also create a space where people feel seen, connected, and less alone.

That message extended beyond the stage as well. Punk Rock Saves Lives was at First Avenue as part of the tour, giving fans and myself an opportunity to get involved with its work, including signing up for the bone marrow registry and participating in cheek swabs to see if you could be a match for someone waiting on the registry. It was another way the evening encouraged fans to turn the community built around music into something that could make a difference beyond the venue.

The nostalgia continued into the encore, which became one of the most memorable moments of the night. Bowling for Soup returned to the stage with a cover of Wheatus' “Teenage Dirtbag,” giving the crowd another song to shout back at the band before closing the night with their own massive hit, “1985.” Hearing the familiar opening of the song sent the room into one final burst of energy, making it a fitting way to close out an already lively Monday night.

While the set leaned heavily into the songs and moments that have made Bowling for Soup a lasting part of pop-punk nostalgia, there was also a hint of what could be next. Lead singer Jaret Reddick mentioned that the band has new music in the works, giving fans something new to look forward to while they continue celebrating the songs that have stayed with them for years.