SLIDE INTO SUMMER ANTHEMS: GOO GOO DOLLS DELIVER A TIMELESS SET IN PHOENIX

It was one of the most nostalgic nights in the music scene of Phoenix when Goo Goo Dolls hit their second leg at the Valley last July 13th at the Arizona Financial Theater for their Summer Anthem Tour with the support from Dashboard Confessional. The venue was filled with so much joy from fans who haven’t seen them since their last tour in 2023.

Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional started his set by giving anecdotes about Arizona weather in the summer and how they got lucky to perform at an indoor venue. Beginning with “Don’t Wait” then traveling through fan favorites like “Saints and Sailors” and “Screaming Infidelities,” the band’s 45‑minute performance balanced vulnerability and energy. The set highlights “Vindicated” and “Hands Down” which elicited loud sing-along moments that highly complimented Chris’ powerful vocals as he climbed the high notes of those songs with the Financial Theatre immediately filled with emo vibes from anthems we used to listen from our high school playlists.

It was a long interval between the sets but it was worth the wait. With his confident command that comes from decades of performing, John Rzeznik, his long time bandmate Robby Takac, and the Goo Goo Dolls exploded into the song “Not Goodbye,” marking the first live performance of the song and setting the tone for an expansive, 25-track setlist for the evening. Within seconds, the atmosphere shifted from soft confession to full‑on rock exposition.

The band showcased its golden catalog, playing hits like “Naked” and “Name” from A Boy Named Goo into chart-toppers such as “Slide” and “Nothing Lasts Forever.” One of the highlights of the night was when they performed “Black Balloon” and the crowd erupted with joy as they released black balloons for them to toss around during the song. Also, it was noteworthy that they have curated their setlist to put all their acoustic tracks in the middle of it, and when they performed “Broadway”, John pulled out his harmonica to show that he still got it.

Rozzi’s vocals slid effortlessly between songs but nothing compares to his vocal power as he sang the crowd-pleaser “Iris,” which closed the set. This legendary ballad, still resonant after two decades and took us back to lots of memories tied to this hit. It was really a night to remember as we witnessed a powerful yet nostalgic show from legends that’s been making music for almost four decades.