There are three signs that indicate a successful concert. One, the bass is so loud that you can feel it in your chest. Two, after a while, the only way you are going to hear anything is if a microphone is being used. And three, there is not one person in the house left sitting. The Grammy-nominated alternative rock band the Goo Goo Dolls provided all this and more during their concert held at Ohio University on April 6.
The band rolled into Athens to play for a sold out crowd in Templeton Blackburn Memorial Auditorium and rocked their way out of the brick city, leaving a satisfied and hoarse crowd behind. And it was not just college students in attendance. Crowd population ranged from young teenagers to middle-aged men and women.
After a great opening performance by Kingsfoil, an indie rock band from Pennsylvania (who I have not stopped playing on repeat since buying their album at the concert, by the way), the Goo Goo Dolls blasted onto the stage with more enthusiasm and heart than most bands exert these days. Maybe that is just my own Goo Goo love shining through, but I would like to believe that the people singing along around me would have agreed. The first song on the list, “Sweetest Lie,” brought the crowd to a hand clapping, toes tapping, body swaying mass of excitement and enthusiasm.
The rest of the night continued in the same fashion, including wonderful interactions between lead singer John Rzeznik and various members of the crowd in front of him. One lucky lady even received his guitar pick and a kiss after boldly proclaiming that her birthday was only a few short days away. Other crowd favorites played by the Goo Goo Dolls included some of its biggest hits. “Slide” and “Black Balloon” were among the first played and received some of the loudest cheers. However, it is only fair to say that the band’s biggest crowd pleaser of the night was “Iris,” one of its most well known tunes.
Overall, the Goo Goo Dolls, along with Kingsfoil, performed a memorable and fun show for all in attendance. For a band that has been rocking out since 1986, they haven’t lost any of their charm or style. I, personally, hope they never do. To find out more information about the Goo Goo Dolls or Kingsfoil, or to listen to a few of their hits, visit them at: http://www.myspace.com/googoodolls and http://www.myspace.com/kingsfoil
Photos by Holly Storrow