Saturday night at the Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre was the usual type of Goo Goo Dolls concert, a sellout. Fans from all around and some from out of state were lined up for miles waiting to get in and party on a great weather night in Michigan. The “Big Night Out Tour” didn’t come alone joining the tour special guests O.A.R. who by the way opened things up. The Maryland band O.A.R. took the stage about 7:15 opening up with a couple of classics “City on Down” and “This Town.” O.A.R. is a very well-balanced group delivering a 14-song setlist a delightful one hour and forty-five minutes worth that had a little bit of everything. The fans danced, while cheering and stood for most of the set, a very entertaining set it was. I have covered O.A.R. twice now and I recommend you get out a see for yourself.
Looking around the venue and seeing a packed hill gives you that I’m ready to party vibe which was about to take place very soon. The 9:00 hour chimed in and so did the Goo Goo Dolls to a very loud pop from the crowd opening with “Broadway” This show hit different early on the crowd was extremely vocal and very loud. Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik very high energy level may have added to it, ok it did. This is my third time covering the band and this by far has been the most amped up show a total banger. One of my favs like everyone else “Slide” took front and center right from the first strike of the crowd the goosebumps set in and the crowd went nuts. After “Slide” Rzeznik stop and took a moment with a young fan. John asked, you want a selfie is that what you want well come on up. The young fan hopped over the barricade and onto the stage ready to snap away. John said to the young fan wait turn around and take the pic with everyone in it, a loud roar ensued and the cell phone went burst mode taking the photos. This kind of interaction is such badass making an everlasting memory to the young fan all while strengthening the connection with the band and their fans.
The 25-song set had a few highlights that I like to mention first starting with a rousing performance by Jim McGorman on piano playing “Symphony” wow can you spell goosebumps. Not really sure if the crowd could handle anymore we would soon find out. Rzeznik breaks out the acoustic and delivers with “Name” helped out by the packed house joining in on the chorus. The hit barrage continued with classic after classic from “Run all Night” to “Big Machine” and more. The one two punch highlight of the night was the last two encore songs starting with a Tom Petty cover “I won’t back Down” Rzeznik inviting the multi talent vocalist Marc Roberge frontman from O.A.R. to join in just wow! Ending a fantastic night with their iconic hit “Iris” swaying cell phones could be seen for miles. In a good way I’m glad the night was ending I don’t think anyone could take anymore.
The summer tour is in support of the Goo Goo Dolls’ 2022 LP Chaos In Bloom. O.A.R. also dropped their album, The Arcade, earlier this year. This massive summer tour still has a few dates left and I recommend you snatch up some tickets in a city near you and show your love for these two great artists who have aged like a fine wine. Below is my Goo Goo Dolls gallery.
Goo Goo Dolls sell out the Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre
