Some 40-years of memories and iconic hits made for one huge backyard party Saturday night at the Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The Goo Goo Dolls brought their Summer Anthem tour along with special guests Dashboard Confessional to freedom Hill for a sold-out show making it a perfect night to just “Slide.” Goo Goo Dolls shows never disappoint they shine, they rock, they leave you feeling like damn, that was awesome!
Kicking off a beautiful night of music was the band from Boca Raton, Florida Dashboard Confessional who are no strangers to the big stage. Lead singer Chris Carrabba and the boys open with “The Best Deceptions” off the bands 2001 album The Places You Fear the Most. The 40-year-old singer wowed the diehard fans throughout the set. At one-point Carrabba drew a huge crowd reacting when he hit a high note so high it definitely could have broken some drinking glasses, good thing drinks are served in plastic cups at venues. The one-hour set kept the folks rocking and singing all set long the only thing missing was a giant bonfire pit in the middle of main floor.
Who would have thought you would be greeted with a storyteller in between songs. Thats what you get with Chris Carrabba who chats it up with his fans telling some interesting stories by the way. Getting back to the set DC played its most famous song from their 2006 album Dusk and Summer “Stolen” an emotional track indeed. The highlight from the set was the ending a song being played for the first time on the tour “The Swiss Army Romance.” Dashboard Confessional is fueled by their fans and stops at nothing for their beloved followers for the past 20-years.
The sellout crowd was ready to fire on all cylinders, and they didn’t have to wait long. John Rzeznik and the boys, hit the stage with a thunderous roar and ear popping whistles opening with “Naked” off the band 1995 album A Boy Named Goo. Rzeznik looking younger than ever hit the stage like the energizer bunny, wired up and ready to kick some ass. Bass player Robby Takac was his usual self, engaging with the crowd throwing fists in the air encouraging all in attendance to get off your ass and ride! By the way the “Summer Anthem” EP is due out August 22nd. Rzeznik fired up the crowd even further with “Slide” one of my faves and crowd favorite to sing along with. Before I go any further the Goo Goo Dolls were down a guitar player (Brad Fernquist) due to shoulder injury and called upon Detroit guitarist from the band Citizen Zero Sammy Boller to fill in. Boller had opened a few days earlier for Lord Huron now playing on the big stage with the GGD in his hometown talk about a pinch me moment.
The band kept the crowd on their feet with “Name” and “Dizzy” before dialing it back with “Acoustic #3” a song written about todays struggles in the world we live in. A moment to reflect on how we made it and the struggle to keep fighting on helped along the way with the power of music. Rzeznik was all smiles on this night telling the Detroit crowd we love you, and love playing here in Michigan let’s get this party going and that he did with “Broadway” and “January Friend.” The firecracker we know as Robby Takac took over the leads on a few tracks which included “Life’s A Message” and “Bring on the Light” the crowd soaking it in singing along with arms held high swaying side to side. Getting back to Detroit guitarist Sammy Boller who’s living on cloud nine these days let it rip with Rzeznik during “Miricale Pill” and “Think About Me” looking like a kid on Christmas day with a smile from ear to ear.
The 23-song set had genres all of ages singing and dancing to their favorites, a can’t miss setlist for a band that never misses. A cool visual from the set happened during “Black Ballons” which had black ballons dropping from the ceiling and being thrown around throughout the venue. The band did a classic cover from the one and only Tom Petty “You Wreck Me” Rzeznik displaying some killer guitar rips during the song. Before ending the night on the lighter side of things the Goo Goo Dolls thanked everyone for coming out and we look forward to seeing you again real soon. Once the cheering toned down a little the band hit the fans with “Not Goodbye” before ending the night with their smash hit “Iris.” Rzeznik asked the crowd to join in with him, like that wasn’t going to happen. Rzeznik leads the crowd on and then forcefully rips the mic from the stand, the music stops for a brief moment, the crowd in unison belts out the chorus “And I don’t want the world to see me ‘Cause I don’t think that they’d understand When everything’s made to be broken I just want you to know who I am.” Rzeznik saying yeah, that’s it come on! Wow, just wow! “Iris” just hits different live leaving you with goosebumps it’s no wonder it’s the last song of the night. Talk about a backyard sing-along with a few thousand of your closest friends what a way to end an incredible night here in Michigan.
The Goo Goo Dolls Summer Anthem tour is making its rounds across the US with stops in a city near you. If you’re into massive sing along and good times, with music that feeds the soul, then this tour is for you. Thanks for stopping by and keep rocking America!
Goo Goo Dolls “Summer Anthem” tour live at the Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre August 16, 2025
