Interview by Angela Croudace
After seven years Simple Plan are finally returning to Australia’s Good Things Festival, and guitarist Jeff Stinco couldn’t be more excited to be back.
Speaking ahead of the festival lineup announcement, Stinco admitted he couldn’t believe it had been seven years since the band last played Good Things. What he remembers most is the festival’s diverse lineup, which allowed him to discover and enjoy artists from across different genres. But above everything else, he says, returning to Australia is the highlight.
“It’s amazing to be back in Australia,” Stinco said, describing the country as somewhere he has always loved visiting. From the food and sights to reconnecting with fans, Australia holds a special place for the guitarist, who even admits he could have imagined living here.
Simple Plan’s return also comes after decades of highs and lows, something Stinco says has taught him an important lesson: resilience. The band experienced unsuccessful records, difficult tours and even periods where they returned to playing smaller Australian clubs. Rather than giving up, they continued pushing forward.
That determination remains part of Simple Plan’s identity today. Stinco says the band still operates with a surprisingly small team, with the members heavily involved in everything from social media to their stage production. For him, maintaining that hands-on approach helps preserve the band’s authenticity.
And fans attending Good Things can expect a celebration of Simple Plan’s entire history. Stinco promises they are “pulling all the stops,” bringing everything from the band’s history to its funnier moments, while also revealing that they are working on new material. He stopped short of promising new songs at the festival, but teased that the set will be longer and packed with the classic Simple Plan experience.
“It’s going to be pretty fun. It’s going to be a big party.”
After seven years away, it sounds like Simple Plan are ready to make their return to Good Things one worth remembering.
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