Avril Lavigne rewarded fans at the kickoff of her 2025 Greatest Hits Tour on Sunday (5/18) with a live debut and more than enough proof that after two decades hell yeah, she still the MFing princess.
The sold out gig at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, opened with "Girlfriend" followed by "What the Hell," "Complicated," and "Here's to Never Growing Up."
It's an opening quartet of hits most other artists would gladly end a show with, but for Avril, it was just the beginning.
The 40-year-old singer/songwriter ran through 20 songs from her seven studio albums.
She also treated the crowd to several covers from Billy Idol, Nate Smith, and even a Midwest Princess.
"It's awesome being back in Canada. Obviously it's my home country. Moncton, I love you guys so much," she said while seated on a chair before playing on an acoustic guitar.
Avril explained how when she did the Greatest Hits Tour last year "it was probably the most fun tour I've ever had in my life." She explained that maybe it was because she was getting older that she appreciated it more.
She added that she wanted to do something a little different than last year. And she broke into a cover of Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club."
Then when the audience least expected, she blended it into her tune, "Warrior" from her 2019 LP Head Above Water. It was a beautiful way for her to show off her vocal chops, which are as strong as ever.
Although it's listed in our database as a cover, Avril also played "Breakaway," the song Kelly Clarkson took to #6 in 2004, but she co-wrote for her debut.
Lavigne explained to the crowd that when she didn't put it on Let's Go, "I gave it to Kelly Clarkson and she made it a huge hit." She then brought out an interesting detail. Avril wrote that she would look out from her window growing up in Canada, and watch the snow fall. But when Kelly sang it, she changed the snow to rain.
When she's not creating hits for herself, Avril has also co-written “Daydream” and “Dancing Crazy” for Miranda Cosgrove, “All Because of You” and “I Don’t Wanna” for Puffy AmiYumi, and “I Will Be” for Leona Lewis.
"Do you guys want to hear a brand new song for the first time?" Avril asked before breaking into "Young And Dumb," a tune she says she wrote for the tour.
And as a very polite Canadian she did something it would be great if all artists do for live debuts like this, or new songs they want fans to sing along to: she put the lyrics on the video screen behind her. Genius.
Earlier this month she released the music video for the song which features Simple Plan (who are opening for her on the tour).
In just a few weeks the video has already been viewed nearly 5 million times which shows your girlfriend's still got it.
She followed that by getting behind the drums to play and sing the title track from her 2022 album Love Sux. The LP went to #9 on the charts, making it her 6th album to crack the top 10 in the US.
Avril Lavigne is no stranger to stepping behind the drum kit during her concerts.
She first showcased her skills on a cover of Blur’s “Song 2” during the 2004–2005 Bonez Tour, then kept the beat on Toni Basil’s “Hey Mickey” in her 2008 The Best Damn Tour. Over the years, she’s also played drums during live performances of her own song “Runaway,” and, as she reminded fans again on Sunday, she can still tear through “Love Sux” just like she did throughout her 2022–2023 Love Sux Tour.
Avril will be touring North America through the end of June with stops at Madison Square Garden, Bonnaroo and wrapping it up at the All My Friends Fest in Ontario.
Get your tickets on Avril's website.
Avril Lavigne's 2025 Greatest Hits Tour
May 20 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre
May 23 – Boston, MA – Boston Calling Music Festival
May 25 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
May 27 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
May 28 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
May 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
June 3 – London, ON – Canada Life Place
June 4 – Niagara Falls, ON – OLG Stage
June 5 – Niagara Falls, ON – OLG Stage
June 7 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
June 8 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
June 10 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
June 12 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
June 14 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
June 17 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
June 18 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
June 20 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 21 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
June 23 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily's Place
June 26 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
June 27 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
June 29 – Oro-Medonte, ON – Burl's Creek Event Grounds (All My Friends Fest)
