Avril Lavigne made her triumphant return to the Canadian stage and welcomed some special guests in the process.
Making a stop at Toronto’s Meridian Hall for her “Head Above Water” tour, the “Complicated” singer performed in her home country for the first time in five years on Sunday night, following a frightening battle with Lyme disease. Her 75-minute set, which was a mix of classics and new tracks, included an appearance from her cousin Bernie Lavigne — the son of her father’s identical twin brother whom, she said, looks like her own brother Matthew.
“Well, I actually am up here for a reason,” Bernie told the crowd as he walked on stage with a young woman next to him. Much to the audience’s surprise, Bernie reached into his pocket to grab a ring while getting down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend. While it wasn’t clear exactly what he said, clips show the woman nodding in response and Avril shouting, “She said yes!” before embracing her and saying, “Welcome to the family.”
Fans were also treated with another surprise during the 35-year-old’s show. Michael Clifford, lead guitarist from Aussie pop-punk band 5 Seconds Of Summer, joined Lavigne for her performance of “Sk8er Boi”. The response from fans on Twitter proved the surprise was a success.
