Goo Goo Dolls at Huntington Bank Pavilion, Chicago, IL, USA, July 24, 2017

Long Way Home Summer Tour with Phillip Phillips

Review by: Jake Warkel

The Goo Goo Dolls John Rzeznik and Robby Takac are back on tour. These two Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls has hit the road this Summer for their third headline run,  since the release of their latest album Boxes.

Phillip Phillips

Phillip Phillips

Joining the Goo Goo Dolls is American Idol season 11 winner Phillip Phillips as the opening act. Phillip Phillips played a quick 8 song set starting with “Lead On” from the 2014 sophomore album “Behind the Light” which seemed to get the crowd into the groove right away as the ladies in the crowd started dancing.

A newer song that he performed live back on tour in 2016, simply titled “Miles,” was the second song on the night.  Followed by “Gone” “Magnetic” and his biggest hits “Home” that obviously the crowd really was able get into because if you weren’t a Phillip Phillips fan or never followed him you at some point at least more than likely heard this song before and you can tell everyone knew this song.   “Don’t Tell Me” “Raging” and “My Name” would finish the night for Phillip Phillips.  I thought he performed great, sounded great and I was surprisingly impressed with the instrumental arrangements by Phillip and the rest of the band.  The biggest surprise was the trumpet that gave it more meaning to some of the songs.  Phillips is currently working on his third full length album.  The fans were happy and enjoyed Phillip Phillips as so did I as I had no idea what to expect but now it’s time for the Goo Goo Dolls.

Goo Goo Dolls released a new 5 song EP entitled “You Should Be Happy” back on May 12th via Warner Bros. Records.  There has been mixed reviews on this album but fans I think are all that matter when it comes down to it and the fan census seems to be very in favor with this album.  I’ve asked some fans tonight what song off the “You Should Be Happy” album will the Goo Goo Dolls play and it was definitely a mixed batch of answers but as the show is about to begin we shall see.  Beautiful Chicago night with perfect weather for concert on the Lakefront no better way to spend a Monday evening as the Goo Goo Dolls hit the stage they started off the night with “Tattered Edge” which is one Off the “You Should Be Happy” album and then the 12th song in the set “Use Me” was the other song they played from that album as well.  Chicago has always been a special place for the Goo Goo Dolls as the Metro was one of their favorite places in Chicago to play and respected Chicago for having loyal fans before they hit it big. The fans tonight are loud and off the wall excited.  The setlist is of coarse as its from all areas of their successful career.  John and Robby both are energetic all over the stage right out of the gate.

The energy from both of them is definitely making the women in the crowd get crazier.  Nothing had the crowd than the 3rd song “Slide” which was at one time a #1 top 40 Billboard chart hit in 1998.  This packed crowd tonight has seen a great performance so far from these boys from Buffalo that formed the group back in 1986 and has seen success that most bands only dream of such as they have scored 14 Top 10 radio hits (more than any other artist in the history of the Hot AC format), including “Name,” “Slide,” and “Iris,” the latter spending nearly 12 straight months on the Billboard charts and holding the No. 1 position for 17 consecutive weeks.

Trust me these guys are great performers and artists that know how to put on a show for their fans.

John wasted no time bullshitting on the mic with the crowd they performed song after song giving their fans what they came for a brilliant show.  Robby even sang a few of his tunes “Lucky Star” “Free of Me” and “Already There” which equally had fans up and moving.  All and all the Goo Goo Dolls will be kicking ass for many years to come as the fans tonight had a blast and will always be here for them as long as the Goo Goo Dolls keep showing up.

Setlist

  • Tattered Edge / You Should Be Happy
  • Home
  • Slide
  • Big Machine (with ‘s***y world’)
  • Over and Over
  • So Alive
  • Black Balloon
  • Lucky Star
  • Free of Me
  • Here Is Gone
  • Come to Me
  • Use Me
  • Name
  • Already There
  • Bringing on the Light
  • Flat Top
  • Acoustic #3
  • Better Days
  • Broadway
  • Long Way Home
  • Iris

Encore:

  • Give a Little Bit (Supertramp cover)

[srizonfbalbum id=30]

Goo Goo Dolls Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Goo Goo Dolls at UnRated Magazine

Goo Goo Dolls Tour

Phillip Phillips Website | Facebook | | YouTube | Instagram | Google Plus | Phillip Phillips at UnRated Magazine

Goo Goo Dolls “So Alive” music video: