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A Proposal A Gender Reveal and Simple Plan at FIC Amphi

Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater Nampa, ID
Simple Plan, 3Oh!3, Bowling for Soup
August 2, 2026
     Another hot summer day and another big show at the Ford Idaho Center. The smoke has been looming from the surrounding fires, creating its own haze for the show. Whether we want it or not, it's what we get. As I walked up to Will Call to get my pass, I immediately noticed a line stretching from the concourse down to the parking lot. I get excited when I see large crowds. The energy often becomes palpable. So many excited fans ready for a night with Bowling for Soup, 3oh!3, and Simple Plan.

     I arrived a little early. Much sooner than I had wanted, but traffic was fair all the way to the show. I was ready for a night full of my pop-punk favorites. To my surprise and many others I talked to, Bowling for Soup was up first. We all thought it was going to be 3oh!3. We aren't complaining, though. We are all here for great music, and the night was stacked. 

     Bowling for Soup came out with all the energy you expected, and with great crowd interaction. The comedic relief was top-notch; if I wasn't singing, I was laughing. I loved getting to photograph my favorite song of theirs from the barricade. By the way, my favorite song of theirs isn't “1985,” “Punk Rock 101,” or even the “Phineas and Ferb Theme Song,”  It’s “High School Never Ends.”  They played those first two songs and many more of their hits. The amount of energy just for their set was going to keep growing through the night too.
      So many of my friends were at this show. It was needed too. With recent events, the Treasure Valley needed a positive night out. Sometimes you just need a night of punk rock to take your mind off things. During the intermissions, I like to wander; it’s a good time to meet new people and grab a water. Take a peek at the merch if it's not too crowded. Speaking of which, Simple Plan’s tour poster is getting framed and going up on the wall with my pass and favorite picture. Intermission over now back to the show. Next was 3oh!3, which I wasn't initially excited about. Then I listened to their music on the way to the show and had my moment of epiphany. I know a lot of their music!

3oh!3 took the stage, and the crowd erupted. I smiled and took my spot, ready to capture some more of the show. They came out high-energy and high-vis. Clad in clothes you often find at construction sites or on your local garbage collector. They definitely were not hard to see on the stage. Their drummers' energy is off the charts; Jess Bowen, also the drummer for Summerset, is up there killing it. So much intensity, so much energy. They all had energy to match, though. I knew most of the music they played, but I had to wait till later in their set for the songs I really knew and may have also danced to a little. “My First Kiss” and “Don’t Trust Me” weren’t performed until the last half of their set, with the latter being the last song.
      You could sense the anticipation for Simple Plan to start; I was definitely anticipating it. There was confetti, streamers, beach balls, and some cryo…and a proposal and a gender reveal!? Wait a minute, those last two were not on my bingo card. Here we are, a night full of surprises. The set kicked off, and for me it was a whirlwind. Ever have those moments where you feel like no matter where you go, you feel like you're in the way? That was this moment; although it was brief, it seemed to last forever. But being right next to those confetti cannons is always exciting. I don't know a single crowd that hasn't loved stage effects. I'm right there with them. 

     This set was eventful. They brought with them more production than I had expected. Light boards displayed the band name and other animations that ran in support of their music. Throughout the show, they set off the confetti cannons. It also wasn't just straightforward confetti either. They had broken hearts, a cloud with lightning and rain,  and a blue sad face all mixed with the standard confetti. Launching little trinkets for fans to take home. This wasn’t the only thing some fans got to take home with them. When they brought out the giant beach balls during “Summer Paradise,” the fans were able to keep them. One of them was even signed.
     Just before they played “A Million Pictures of You,” they brought a couple on stage. This was the first of two surprise moments. This was the marriage proposal. She said “Yes!” and then they finished watching the show from the side stage. Congrats, you two. In between the surprises, Pierre Bouvier came out into the crowd and played “Untitled” on the piano. This was one of those moments when they slowed it down. Then came the next surprise; this was to be a gender reveal. It took place right after they brought on dozens of fans dressed as Scooby Doo to dance to the "What's New Scooby Doo” theme song.  Which it’s BOY!!! Also, the lights could have turned blue for that, but who was prepared for a gender reveal? I wasn't.
     As we progressed toward the end of the set, one more moment was set to take place. During "I'm Just a Kid,” the drummer Chuck Comeau came down from his kit to crowd surf while Pierre played drums and lead singer Jaret Reddick from Bowling for Soup sang the song. It was a quick surf, so much fun to catch that moment. They finished up with “Perfect” and showered the amphitheater with one last blast of confetti.    Tonight, after the show, I sat and reflected on the night as I waited for the traffic to clear. This show was high-energy, well put together, and amazing to see. Every one of the performers is a master up there on stage, and I look forward to them coming back again. This was a great way to spend a Sunday night in the Treasure Valley.
 Photography and review ©Justin Webb
Simple Plan
3oh!3
Bowling For Soup
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