GOO GOO DOLLS LIVE!! | REDHAT
Goo Goo Dolls Live at Red Hat Amphitheater – August 23, 2017
Venue: Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC
Tour: Long Way Home Summer Tour 2017
Support Act: Phillip Phillips
Under the warm Carolina sky, the Goo Goo Dolls delivered a powerful and emotionally resonant performance that blended their classic hits with newer material from their 2017 EP You Should Be Happy. The Red Hat Amphitheater, nestled in downtown Raleigh, was alive with fans spanning generations—some reliving the soundtrack of their youth, others discovering the band’s magic for the first time.
The band’s setlist was a journey through their discography, featuring 22 songs that showcased their evolution from gritty alt-rock to polished pop-rock balladry. Highlights included:
“Slide” and “Black Balloon” from Dizzy Up the Girl
“Name” and “Flat Top” from A Boy Named Goo
“Sympathy” performed solo by John Rzeznik
“Iris” as the emotional centerpiece of the encore
Newer tracks like “Tattered Edge / You Should Be Happy” and “So Alive” added fresh energy to the set
The encore featured “Iris” and “Boxes,” closing the night with a mix of timeless emotion and forward-looking optimism.
John Rzeznik and Robby Takac were in top form, trading vocals and banter with the crowd. Rzeznik’s acoustic solo on “Sympathy” was a quiet, heartfelt moment that contrasted beautifully with the full-band anthems. Takac’s energetic delivery on tracks like “Free of Me” and “Use Me” kept the momentum high.
The amphitheater’s intimate layout allowed for a close connection between band and audience. Fans sang along, swayed to the ballads, and erupted during the iconic opening chords of “Iris.” The band’s introductions during “Broadway” added a personal touch, spotlighting the musicians behind the magic.
For longtime fans, this show was a full-circle moment—proof that the Goo Goo Dolls still have the power to move hearts and fill venues. For newer listeners, it was a masterclass in songwriting and stagecraft. The concert was more than a performance; it was a celebration of resilience, artistry, and the enduring power of live music.
