Words and Photos: Kyle Mueller
At the historic Rave, Sum 41 brought their “Tour of the Setting Sum”, the band’s final tour before calling it a career. Playing to a sold-out show, the energy was buzzing before the lights went down for the openers.
Joey Valence & Brae
Taking the stage first, these guys brought you right back to the late ’80s – early ’90s hip-hop sound. If you’re aware of who they are, then you already know the Beastie Boys comparisons. Even so, they sound great and can really work a crowd. Circling the stage by either jumping or running, each took their turns rapping their parts of the song on what seemed like a conveyor belt, neither missing their spot. Just make sure to wear your raincoats if you’re in the first couple of rows; they’ll literally be spitting bars.
The Interrupters
The Interrupters took the stage next. The California ska-punkers wasted no time bringing in the energy, starting their set with “Take Back the Power” from their 2014 self-titled album. “Title Holder” and a cover of “Judge Not” came next, with each band member moving across the stage to greet the crowd.
Frontwoman Aimee Allen gave an unforgettable performance. When she isn’t singing, she’s smiling from ear to ear, engaging with the crowd. The other three members, guitarist Kevin Bivona and his twin brother Jesse and Justin (drums and bass respectively), were also very engaging. And can you be a ska-punk band without a horn? That’s where touring member Billy Kottage comes in, playing the trombone in style with his Wayfarer shades.
After an 11-song set, including many fan favorites and a cover of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” we said goodbye to The Interrupters, for now, as they promised to venture back to Milwaukee in the near future.
Setlist:
Take Back the Power
Title Holder
Judge Not (Bob Marley cover)
On a Turntable
Kiss The Ground
Easy on You
Afterthought
She Got Arrested
bad guy (Billie Eilish cover)
Gave You Everything
She’s Kerosene
Sum 41
Now it was time for the main event. The reason everyone was at The Rave: Sum 41 taking the stage for the last time in Milwaukee. The stage covered by a big black tarp, AC/DC’s “T.N.T.” starts playing, with everyone chanting “Oi,” waiting for that tarp to hit the floor. Moments later, the tarp drops and Sum kicks right into “Motivation.” Frontman Deryck Whibley was in his element as soon as the show started. Jumping, running, dancing, never missing a beat or lyric.
After a few other classic songs, the guys jumped into a couple of new songs, playing “Landmines” and “Dopamine” back to back from their 2024 album Heaven :x: Hell. Every fan knew the songs word for word and matched the band’s energy. “Walking Disaster” started with a batch of giant balloons getting tossed into the crowd to pass around. Some made it around, others were grabbed right away. Deryck ended the song by punching and popping one of the stragglers, spraying a few rows with pink confetti that the balloon was filled with.
Slowing down the set, the band gave us our last live listen to “With Me.” The energy kicked back up right after that with “Makes No Difference.” Lead guitarist Dave Baksh, bassist Jason McCaslin, guitarist Tom Thacker (the very same from Gob), and drummer Frank Zummo put everything they had into their performances. Finishing up their set (before encore of course) with high-energy fan favorites and a couple of covers, the lights went off, and Sum 41 walked off stage.
After a few minutes of loud cheering, they came back for an encore. Playing “Summer” from their very first EP “Half Hour of Power,” thanks to a fan with a sign simply reading “Play Summer,” we got to go all the way back to the beginning. Followed by “Waiting on a Twist of Fate,” the first track off their latest album. Finishing off with “In Too Deep” and “So Long Goodbye,” we came to the conclusion of the show. With a few moments of waving and saying our goodbyes, we gave a final forty-one sum salute, and the band walked off stage.
Just like that, the Sum set in Milwaukee. Being their final tour, I’d recommend getting out to see them on any of their last remaining dates. If you wait and think “they’ll be back at some point,” you may miss your chance of seeing a great rock show from a band who has been doing it for nearly 30 years.
Setlist:
Motivation
The Hell Song
Over My Head (Better Off Dead)
No Reason
Underclass Hero
Some Say
Landmines
Dopamine
We’re All to Blame
Walking Disaster
With Me
Makes No Difference
My Direction / No Brains / All Messed Up
Drum Solo*
Preparasi a Salire
Rise Up
We Will Rock You (Queen cover)
Ring of Fire (Merle Kilgore cover)
Pieces
Fat Lip
Still Waiting
Summer
Waiting on a Twist of Fate
In Too Deep
So Long Goodbye
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