By Matt Benton
It might have taken about 2 extra years for this tour to happen, but The Goo Goo Dolls were finally able to bring their tour through Irving, TX at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory with Blue October. The Goo Goo Dolls hail from a city that has a rich history: Buffalo, NY. Starting back in 1986, the band has a legendary discography spanning nearly 30 years and shows no signs of stopping. This to say Blue October has quite the status as well with a career starting back in 1995 in Houston, TX. Both these bands hold a special place in my heart for quite different reasons, so this stop on the tour seemed like a no brainer for me to attend and photograph.
Getting the fans ready first was Blue October. Formed by lead vocalist Justin Furstenfield, drummer Jeremy Furstenfield, and multi – instrumental genius Ryan Delahoussaye, the band has been on my rotation since high school back in the early 2010’s. I dare you to tell me if you had an “emo phase” in middle school and high school that you are unfamiliar with “Hate Me”, “Into the Ocean”, “She’s My Ride Home”, or “Calling You”. Trying to find the right words to describe the emotions I felt listening to “Moving On (So Long)” and “I Hope You’re Happy” is indescribable. You know that moment when you’re holding all the emotions of the work week in, and you come across that one person that asks if you’re okay and they’re greeted with just that messy cry? That was me and it was one of the most therapeutic moments I’ve had in a while.
Setlist (according to setlist.fm)
Coal Makes Diamonds
Oh My My
Say It
Fight for Love
Into the Ocean
Hate Me
Home
Spinning the Truth Around
This Is What I Live For
Daylight
Moving On (So Long)
I Hope You’re Happy
Up next and closing out the night was The Goo Goo Dolls. Formed by lead vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik and bassist Robby Takac. It’s funny because growing up, I never realized how often my parents would play songs by the band. You could definitely say it brought me back to “Better Days”. Watching the confidence that the band had was just next level. You could tell that they are professionals and take their craft seriously. Their seriousness even comes from the beginning of the set where the entire stage is soaked in sea of black to the band seemingly appearing out of thin air. Hey Goo Goo Dolls, I can definitely say “Yeah, I Like You”.
Setlist (according to setlist.fm)
Yeah, I Like You
Slide
Big Machine
Here Is Gone
Black Balloon
Naked
Miracle Pill
Over and Over
Lucky Star
Free of Me
Come to Me
Sympathy
Name
So Alive
War
Going Crazy
Life’s a Message
Bringing on the Light
Broadway
Better Days
Iris
Tattered Edge / You Should Be Happy
Runnin’ Down a Dream
Click link for photo gallery - https://musicscenemedia.com/goo-goo-dolls-slide-on-through-irving-tx/