Dashboard Confessional put on such a captivating performance that I completely forgot they were the first act. From the moment they opened with ”The Best Deceptions” the crowd was in a trance. This song set the tone perfectly with its slow start and strong, passionate end. They followed this with one of my favorites, “Southbound and Sinking.”
There’s something really special about seeing Dashboard Confessional live. The band is so energetic and powerful yet gracious and down to earth. When front man, Chris Carrabba, spotted some kids in the audience holding a “first concert” sign he did not hesitate to bring them up on stage, giving them an unforgettable first concert.
Goo Goo Dolls has been a bucket list concert for me for a long time so I had high expectations.
If their frontman, John Rzeznik, wasn’t in Goo Goo Dolls, I think he’d be a comedian. He was cracking jokes the whole set right from the beginning.
Before “Sympathy,” he overheard a fan asking a question in the crowd and jokingly replied “We’ll do the Q&A after this.” Then he got serious and had a heartfelt moment with the fan, both parties thanked the other for being there that night.
Also- just to be safe, before playing a love song, Rzeznik did a quick “CEO check” just to make sure there was no funny business going on in the crowd.
The night ended with the band’s iconic song, “Iris.” Everyone in the venue was up on their feet singing every word, it was everything I’d hoped it would be. Goo Goo Dolls not only met my expectations, they exceeded them. They were well worth the wait and I hope I get to see them again soon.
Review and Photos by Paige Flournoy
