Goo Goo Dolls
24 May 2010
Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, CO
Having seen the same band ten years earlier, I was intrigued to see the audience demographic change with time. While 2000 fans centered around age 17-18, 2010 fans seem to have an age range of 15-50. Very interesting how a band that, about 10-15 years ago had perhaps somewhat unintentionally targeted a lucrative market of teenagers, now commands a more mainstream following. And, the band still isn't an oldies show; in fact the Goo Goo Dolls have hit the charts in just about every one of the last 15 years, and will likely continue to do so.
After a forgettable opening act, lead singer John Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac, and drummer Mike Malinin brought out a a keyboardist and guitarist to fill out the sound. This full lineup better succeeded in trying to resemble the sound on record, more so than the 2000 tour.
Make no mistake about how the Goo Goo Dolls are nowadays really the John Rzeznik band for all practical purposes--he is the definitive attraction, for his voice, guitar work, songwriting, and stage presence. His songs are the hits--and the band didn't leave too many such hits unperformed this evening.
An excellent opener, "The Sweetest Lie", opened their set, and possibly will open their upcoming album, Something For The Rest Of Us, due out this Summer.
The hits, "Big Machine", "Dizzy", "Slide", and "Here Is Gone" quickly followed.
Bassist Robby Takac took lead vocals for about 4 songs, fulfilling the nostalgia of him having been the lead singer over 20 years ago, before Rzeznik's talent blossomed. I just honestly don't relate to Takac as much as I can identify with the current lead singer.
The GGDs introduced "As I Am", a possible track from the upcoming album; subsequently "Black Balloon", my favorite track of theirs, appeared in excellent mix.
Then, more hits, including, "Can't Let It Go", "Better Days", "Stay With You", "Name", "Let Love In", and "All Eyes On Me".
"Iris" ended the main set. An Rzeznik-only acoustic "Sympathy", followed by "Broadway" checked the obligatory encore box.
No cover of the Supertramp hit "Give A Little Bit"; No "Feel The Silence", perhaps because it has somewhat of a musical redundancy to "Better Days".
People may question the artistic significance of this band, and that's fair. But, the melodies, vocals, and power of this band are powerfully fulfilling, enough so that I would regard them as one of my favorite bands of the last 15 year.
[****] - Steven T.