Greatest Hits Tour (Avril Lavigne)

The Greatest Hits Tour is the ongoing eighth concert tour by Canadian recording artist Avril Lavigne. It began on May 22, 2024, in Vancouver, Canada, and is set to conclude on September 18, 2024, in Calgary, Canada. Designed to promote Lavigne's discography, the majority of concerts on the Greatest Hits Tour will take place in North America, while her European dates will primarily consist of festival appearances.

Background
During 2022 and 2023, Lavigne embarked on her Love Sux Tour, promoting her seventh studio album Love Sux (2022). This tour spanned across Asia, Europe, North America and South America. At the end of 2023, Lavigne revealed a series of European festival dates, accompanied by select stand-alone concerts including performances in Pula, Croatia and Cardiff, Wales. In January 2024, she announced a lineup of tour dates across the United States and Canada, officially naming the tour the Greatest Hits Tour.

North America
For the opening show of the Greatest Hits tour, the Vancouver Sun's Stuart Derdeyn praised the performance for delivering a high-energy, nostalgia-filled experience that delighted longtime fans. He noted that Lavigne "really did deliver all hits and no filler", and described the show as "the kind of legacy act showcase that will paste smiles on the faces of her now 40-something fans". Reviewing the same opening night in Vancouver, Alyson Eng of BroadwayWorld commended Lavigne's vocal performance and nostalgic appeal, though she mentioned some technical issues with the sound. Eng observed that despite these problems, the concert was "a powerful testament to Lavigne's enduring connection with her fans". The first concert also received praise from Caroline Charruyer of Canadian Beats, noted that the "setlist was well-curated," with songs that "showcased her vocal prowess and emotional depth." Charruyer described the event as a celebration not only of the artist's greatest hits but also of "the remarkable journey of an artist who has remained true to herself." Each song was met with "enthusiastic cheers and fervent sing-alongs," and the crowd "erupted in thunderous ovation." She characterized the concert as "a triumphant celebration of her career, filled with nostalgia, emotion, and pure rock energy," making it "a night to remember for all in attendance."

Reviewing the Mountain View concert, Jim Harrington of the The Mercury News highlighted Lavigne's strong vocals and engaging stage presence, noting that the show featured "unfussy pop-punk pretty much from start to finish" and was well-received by the crowd of longtime fans. Santiago Hernandez of Out Magazine also praised Lavigne for her high-energy performance and nostalgic appeal, noting that "there's something magical about an entire stadium screaming a 22-year-old song". Kat Sophia of Santa Barbara Independent also praised Lavigne's energy and nostalgic performance, noting that "highlights like "My Happy Ending", "I'm With You" and "Sk8er Boi" lit up the energy in the venue in a palpable manner". Conversely, Gabe Lehman of SFGate observed that while the audience was enthusiastic and fully committed to the pop-punk vibe, Lavigne's energy did not match that of her fans, making parts of the performance feel like "Avril Lavigne karaoke". Mike DeWald of Riff Magazine, also praised Avril Lavigne's Mountain View Shoreline show, stating that she "is in the midst of a renaissance" and her Greatest Hits tour is "a smashing success". He lauded the production, noting that "it felt like a spectacle," and highlighted her interaction with the crowd. DeWald emphasized that her "biggest strengths are the songs and her voice." He also mentioned how Lavigne "thanked fans for their support over the years and reflected on her humble beginnings" multiple times during the concert. Additionally, he observed that Lavigne now appears more comfortable on stage than in her previous concerts: "Lavigne looked more at ease interacting with the crowd; before, she was more awkward."

Europe
Commenting on her first concert of the European leg of the tour at the Rock for People festival in Hradec Králové, Ondřej Hricko from Music Server praised Lavigne's vocal performance, noting that she "handled the concert vocally excellently" and lauded how she established a welcomed female counterpart amidst the predominantly male headliners. He further explains how she maintained a strong connection with the audience and showcased her charisma. Šárka Hellerová from Headliner praised Lavigne for delivering what fans expected. She further explains how Lavigne's second encore created an emotional moment, saying, "I watched some fans singing with all their hearts". However, others remarked on her getting out of breath easily and leaving the stage for an extended break.

Reviewing Lavigne's debut concert in Croatia, critics highlighted the memorable and nostalgic experience delivered by singer. Marko Bratoš of Glazba.hr praised the performance, emphasizing the powerful connection between Lavigne and her fans. Bratoš noted, "Nostalgia has rarely managed to disrupt reason and bring a huge silly smile to one's face as it did last night at the Arena". He also mentioned that the show was filled with energy and excitement, with Lavigne's strong vocal performance and infectious enthusiasm impressing the audience. Barbara Ban of Jutarnji list further lauded Lavigne's concert, noting that "the performance in Pula was a significant event for Croatian fans". Juraj Dukić Hrvoić of Sound Guardian echoed these sentiments, highlighting the impressive setlist and visual presentation. Dukić Hrvoić commented, "The concert was an unforgettable blend of nostalgia and high energy", with Lavigne captivating the audience both visually and vocally. Emanuela Plišić of Music Box further confirmed these sentiments, praising Lavigne for her ability to engage and energize the audience.

Lavigne's Greatest Hits Tour in the Netherlands received praise from the Dutch press. Roel Peijs of OOR observed that "a mature artist was on the stage", with a legacy that "fits into the pop ranks alongside Robbie Williams and P!nk". Her vocals were notably spotlighted. The publication also mentioned that "her place in this year's lineup was more than justified". Fans were able to "reminisce about their festival wild days with a touch of nostalgia" in a show that offered "a blend of comfort and adventure". Lavigne's show at the Hurricane Festival in Germany was considered by Julia Langmaack, of Stagr, as "a triumphant return". The reviewer said the singer "has lost none of her energy and stage presence". Her performance was marked by "vocals, charisma, and emotional connection". Markus Brandstetter, by Musikexpress ranked Avril Lavigne's performance at the Southside Festival in Germany as well, as one of the best of the festival. Journalists from Schwäbische Zeitung who were present as the Southside Festival wrote that, "for many people, the highlight of the night was likely Avril Lavigne", where fans "floated in nostalgia once more and enjoyed her upbeat songs".

For the United Kingdom concerts, Avril Lavigne attracted a massive audience for her Glastonbury performance. Journalists from The Guardian, covering the event, reported there was a "vast crowd are hollering it back to her. It’s so big that they’re not letting anyone else into the field from our backstage zone, a real crowd-control rarity." Many news outlets highlighted how Avril Lavigne's concert at the Glastonbury festival had main stage energy and audience size. Adam White, for The Independent, praised her show, stating she was "another artist plonked on far too small a stage." The publication rated her performance 5 out of 5 stars: "This is a brilliant show, but Glastonbury must learn lessons from a year that has vastly underestimated the appeal of pop nostalgia". Rosie Long Decter from Billboard, also stated that "Avril Lavigne played one of the most popular sets at Glastonbury" as her "performance overshadowed the main stage." The article noted that Lavigne's concert caused the main stage performer to "perform to a smaller crowd." The article concluded that "Glastonbury might have underestimated the star's contemporary appeal by booking her on a side stage, but the turnout made it clear Lavigne isn't losing her grip anytime soon." Rachel Roberts, of Kerrang!, reported that the area Avril was playing was "unbearably jam packed". The author also described how "it seems Glastonbury underestimated just how many want to see her perform" as "thousands of voices singing back to her prove just how much she has been missed". For Clash, Robin Murray, discussed how "Avril Lavigne has drawn a colossal crowd to Glastonbury’s other stage". Alexis Petridis, for The Guardian, also reviewed Lavigne's concert at a British festival, noting that the audience was not just singing, but "cathartically emoting like mad" while perched on "people’s shoulders". Petridis mentioned that Lavigne organizing a crowd singalong seemed somewhat unnecessary, given that everyone in the field was already belting out every word of her songs. Her set list received praise as well, with the publication remarking that "anyone who wasn't under her spell in the early '00s might be startled at how robust her songs sound 20 years on". They described her songs as "exceptionally well written", emphasizing that there was no drop in musical quality over the years. Throughout the concert, "certainly, there was no drop off in the audience’s enthusiasm". Overall, The Guardian gave her concert a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Wales Online reviewed Avril Lavigne's concert in Cardiff, noting that the singer "delivered one banger after another". They praised her interaction with the crowd and mentioned that when she picked up the guitar, she reminded fans she's more than just an impressive vocalist. Adam Maidment of Yahoo UK reviewed Avril Lavigne's 'Greatest Hits' concert in Manchester. Maidment noted that the setlist provoked "euphoric sing-alongs from the sold-out crowd". He also mentioned that the singer "pretty much commanded the stage from the get-go and had the crowd in the palm of her hand", with the audience "jumping, cheering, and singing out every verse at the top of their lungs". The concert structure was also praised, highlighting that "the show featured everything from confetti cannons and pyrotechnics, alongside a few inflatable balls thrown around the crowd for good measure too". The reviewer concluded that her show "is a testament that we don't necessarily have to be serious all the time", likening the classic hits in Avril's setlist to the 2024 British album 'BRAT' by Charli XCX, as both celebrate their unassuming yet irresistibly catchy nature.

MSN described how "a massive crowd gathered at the Main Stage of Rock Werchter to see Avril Lavigne perform" in Belgium. According to the article, the setlist was "enthusiastically belted out across the field" and "the crowd was instantly captivated, requiring little effort from Lavigne to engage them". Dansende Beren, also described that  "Avril drew a massive crowd to the Main Stage for her 'Greatest Hits' tour at the festival" and highlighted how she performed better now than during her last tour in the country.

Laura García Higueras for El Diario discussed the Greatest Hits concert at Mad Cool in Spain: "Avril Lavigne fulfilled her role for the festival's closing." The singer has "reemerged after more than ten years away from the spotlight" to prove she remains "capable of connecting with all generations". The concert received praise, but the review also noted that she was "considerably more limited vocally" compared to previous shows, possibly due to it being the final concert of her European tour leg. Avril's health status was highlighted by Pablo Gil for El Mundo when discussing the same concert. He described the show as "the unexpected rebirth of Avril Lavigne after 10 years of illness, conspiracy theories, and oblivion". It was also noted that "within 10 minutes, the concert had already acquired the status of a significant event", particularly considering "this wave of nostalgia for Avril Lavigne is an unexpected twist that occurs just 10 years after the artist contracted Lyme disease". Ellie Muir, for The Independent, reviewed her concert at Mad Cool in Spain, praising the "pop-punk queen" for "carrying the noughties torch". They highlighted her role in "inspiring girls' grunge phases", with fans responding enthusiastically to her set list featuring hits like "Girlfriend", "Complicated", and "Sk8er Boi". The article compared the event to "the Coachella of Spain". It also commended the festival for effective crowd control, contrasting it favorably with oversold events like Glastonbury, where Avril also performed. This provided fans with "space to dance, no queues, and reliable sunshine". Her concert at the festival earned a rating of 4 out of 5 stars by The Independent.

Set list
The following set list was taken from the show in Vancouver on May 22, 2024. It does not represent all shows throughout the tour.


 * 1) "Girlfriend"
 * 2) "What the Hell"
 * 3) "Complicated"
 * 4) "Smile"
 * 5) "Here's to Never Growing Up"
 * 6) "My Happy Ending"
 * 7) "He Wasn't"
 * 8) "Don't Tell Me"
 * 9) "When You're Gone"
 * 10) "Fake as Hell"
 * 11) "Bite Me"
 * 12) "Love It When You Hate Me"
 * 13) "Sk8er Boi"
 * 14) ;Encore
 * 15) "Head Above Water"
 * 16) "I'm with You"


 * Alterations
 * Starting with the second concert in Auburn on May 25, 2024, "Hot" and "Losing Grip" were added to the set list.
 * During the Mountain View concert on May 28, 2024, "The Best Damn Thing" was performed.
 * During the Las Vegas concert on June 1, 2024, Deryck Whibley joined Lavigne for a cover of Sum 41's "In Too Deep", performed instead of "Smile" as part of the set list.
 * During the Pula, Croatia concert on June 17, 2024, Lavigne performed a cover of Blink-182's "All the Small Things".
 * During the concert at Pinkpop Festival on June 21, 2024, Yungblud joined Lavigne for a performance of their song "I'm a Mess".
 * During the concerts at Hurricane Festival on June 22, 2024 and Southside Festival on June 23, 2024, Pierre Bouvier joined Lavigne for a cover of Simple Plan's "Addicted".