From hard rock beginnings on the monster album Dizzy Up the Girl to 2010’s Something for the Rest of Us, Goo Goo Dolls have successfully remained relevant – an achievement most groups of the late 80s/early 90s could only aspire to. Promoting their new album, Magnetic, the Dolls closed a special UK eight-show run (their first appearance in three years) at the Hammersmith Apollo last night.

For a group of men in their late 40s, the band had the packed venue eating from the palms of their hands – frontman John Rzeznik in particular took to the stage like a young Jon Bon Jovi, only with less arrogance.

The band showed no signs of inflated ego with a set that catered solely to the fans and their enjoyment, including the hits Slide, Better Days and the song that topped Billboard’s Top 100 Pop Songs 1992-2012 chart, Iris. That said, the heavily engaged crowd rejoiced in the inclusion of newer material such as new singles Rebel Beat and Come to Me, singing along in unison as if these were among the band’s aforementioned staples.

As with their music, the Dolls’ appearance has altered over the years to suit a more contemporary look. The same could not be said, however, for the electrified audience, with many dressed in vintage 90s garb that really hammered home the nostalgia.

A short encore featuring a cover of Supertramp’s Just a Little Bit closed what was a surprisingly crisp show. A few flat tunes that may end up as the backing for a Kodak advert in the near future were the only downside to the night. Fortunately they were buried by the overall cool, fresh and record-clear sound of the Dolls.

  Jack Hill