Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte Bring a Night of Nostalgia, Heart, and Heavy Metal to Montreal
The Bell Centre was packed to the rafters on August 8 as Montreal welcomed Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte for a sold-out night that delivered everything from early-2000s nostalgia to full-blown modern metal spectacle. With Jayden Hammer opening the evening, followed by a video performance of Avenged Sevenfold’s STATICA EP, the stage was set for a marathon night of music, emotion, and plenty of sing-along moments.
Jayden Hammer Sets the Tone
Jayden Hammer got the evening underway, warming up an already eager crowd before the massive production began to unfold. The anticipation inside the Bell Centre only grew as fans waited for the two headlining acts to take over.
Before Good Charlotte hit the stage, Avenged Sevenfold’s STATICA EP was presented as a video performance, adding an unexpected and cinematic element to the evening. It was a fitting bridge between the opening act and what would become a spectacular double-header.
Good Charlotte: Better Than Ever
Good Charlotte came out swinging with an absolute banger, opening their 18-song set with “The Anthem.” The response was immediate. The Bell Centre erupted, and from that first song onward, the Madden brothers had the crowd firmly in the palm of their hands.
What made this performance particularly special, though, was the genuine compassion and gratitude Joel and Benji Madden showed throughout the set. They weren’t simply performing for Montreal—they were connecting with it.
One of the night’s most powerful moments came when Joel spoke directly to the crowd about being there for one another. He reminded everyone that if they were going through a difficult time, an entire arena of people would be there for them. As Good Charlotte launched into “Hold On,” the sentiment became something much bigger than a song. It was a reminder that everyone matters.
Then came one of the night’s biggest surprises: M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold made a cameo appearance to sing his verse on “The River.” The unexpected collaboration was an absolute highlight and had the crowd losing its mind.
Good Charlotte eventually brought their set to a huge finish with “I Just Want to Live” and “The Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous,” leaving the audience buzzing.
Having now seen Good Charlotte five times, I can confidently say this was their best performance yet. The band continues to get better, and Saturday night proved that their songs have lost none of their power.
Avenged Sevenfold: A Massive Metal Spectacle
If Good Charlotte brought the nostalgia and heart, Avenged Sevenfold brought the sheer scale.
Opening their 12-song set with “Nightmare,” M. Shadows and company immediately had the entire Bell Centre eating out of their hands. The production was enormous, featuring a massive stage and huge screens filled with beautifully crafted visuals. This wasn’t simply a concert—it was a full-blown metal spectacle.
Synyster Gates was absolutely on fire throughout the night, while M. Shadows delivered a remarkably solid vocal performance. Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ helped keep the band locked in, and together, Avenged Sevenfold were on a heater from start to finish.
“Afterlife” was a standout, but for me, the night’s biggest moment was “Hail to the King.” Hearing thousands of Montreal fans singing along to one of the band’s biggest anthems was something special. The song sounded massive, and the crowd made it even bigger.
Then came “Bat Country,” and it was deliciously chaotic in all the right ways.
During “Unholy Confessions,” the band brought a young fan up on stage, and he absolutely killed it. It was another memorable interaction that showed just how much these songs continue to mean to the people who grew up with them.
Avenged Sevenfold closed the night with “Cosmic,” bringing an epic evening to a fitting conclusion.
It was a great set and, more importantly, it was great to have Avenged Sevenfold back in Montreal. The relationship between this band and this city is undeniable. Montreal loves Avenged Sevenfold, and judging by the deafening response inside the Bell Centre, that love is very much mutual.
Two bands, two very different approaches, one sold-out arena—and a night Montreal won’t soon forget. Good Charlotte delivered the heart and nostalgia, while Avenged Sevenfold brought the fire and spectacle. Together, they made August 8 a hell of a night at the Bell Centre.
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