Robby Takac, vocalist and bassist, is having a great time. He’s running around the stage with a giant smile on his face. And why should he? It’s a perfect evening in Chicago at Northerly Island. His band, the Goo Goo Dolls, have been together since 1986, and is still going strong. He isn’t the only one that’s happy tonight.
John Rzeznik, lead singer and guitarist, is also enjoying himself. “This song is for you Chicago. You were one of the first cities to embrace us and pay for our rent before the rest of the world!” They go on to play “Name” from A Boy Named Goo, which came out in 1995. It still sounds great and it had the entire crowd smiling and dancing around.
Before playing a new song, he asks everyone if they can hold their pee. “I know everyone likes to go to the bathroom during the new song so they don’t miss ‘Iris’”. It’s so true! And when he does finally play “Iris” as the finale of the set, it’s a beautiful moment with everyone singing along. “Now this was a fucking rock concert!” he says.
For the encore, they play “Give A Little Bit” by Supertramp. It’s a fantastic end to a great night of music. “This was the best night of my summer!” says Rzeznik. It had been almost exactly one year since they played at Northerly Island with Tribe Society and Collective Soul opening (see the review here). Here’s to keeping this annual tradition going!
See the full setlist here.
Quinn Delaney
PlaylistHQ 