Bad Religion - Montreal 2026

Bad Religion walked into Montreal's Centre Bell with the unenviable job of opening for The Offspring, but they certainly didn't perform like an opening act. They came out, ripped through a one-hour set, and reminded everyone exactly why they remain one of the most important punk bands of the last four decades.

There was very little wasted motion. Bad Religion doesn't need elaborate production or a giant stage show. The formula is simple: get onstage, play incredibly fast, and hammer the audience with one great song after another. Greg Graffin remains one of punk's most recognizable voices, while the band sounded tight and aggressive throughout the set.

The setlist was loaded with exactly what longtime fans wanted. "Recipe for Hate," "Los Angeles Is Burning," "21st Century (Digital Boy)," "Do What You Want," "No Control," "Infected," "Sorrow," and "American Jesus" all made appearances. There was barely time to breathe between songs.

What made the performance work so well was the complete lack of nostalgia-act energy. Bad Religion may have been around since 1979, but they didn't perform like a band celebrating its past. They played like a punk band that still had something to prove.

The one-hour set flew by, which was probably the biggest complaint. Bad Religion could have easily played another hour and the crowd would have happily stayed. They may have been the opening act, but for plenty of people in the building, they were the reason to get there early.