Goo Goo Dolls Bring 90's Rock Back to Victoria

Concert ReviewMarch 6, 2014Ocean 98.5

What’s 90′s rock? Well, it’s the music you forgot all about…Gin Blossoms, Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow, Soul Asylum, Collective Soul and yes — the Goo Goo Dolls. Remember them? You guys were close, you sang along to their songs on the radio for 12 years and maybe even went to the odd concert. It’s the CD’s that your thoughtful 90′s boyfriend stuffed in your Xmas stocking — so he could hear you sing it some more…or not.

I’m always thrilled when these bands tour, often with a new album to show off — but sometimes they’re just hitting the festival circuit. I want them to bring back some memories, tunes I knew and loved….show me some new stuff, but mostly – make me feel like I’m 24 again, please. So of course I wanted to check out the Goo Goo Dolls at the Royal Theatre when they booked a date with Victoria March 5th. The last time they were in this town, it was 1988 — back when you were likely picking out your puffy-sleeved grad dress.

The crowd at the Royal was a varied one. Women who Just. Love. John Rzeznik (the muscular, guitar-playing once-baby-faced singer). Thirty-something guys that like that 90′s rock, it reminds them of their old girlfriends. Couples that clearly were enjoying the powerful rock ballads that were “their songs”. And a random collection of concert-goers that love going to shows….so they can take selfies. Seriously, during a lull in the show — when the bassist took the mic, a couple of young ladies stood up in the theatre with a friend snapping away — pictures of them right in the middle of a band playing and guys singing their guts out. Facebook is bound to be ripe with these selfies today, enjoy.

I did enjoy the Goo Goo Dolls show. The tight band, the great guitar playing and Johnny Rzeznik’s vocals — and of course those crowd antics that make a live show…live.

In other news, they also let me shoot some photo’s — which is my second favourite thing to do next to singing along to great live music.

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