Music > Live Reviews

Goo Goo Dolls

The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA

08/10/16

Ten songs into their set and John Rzeznik is telling us how, as college students, he and Robby Takak decided after a night on the weed to form a band. He had the drugs and Robby had a car. They had no instruments, no songs, and had never performed before. The Goo Goo Dolls are proof, Rzeznik modestly tells us, that you do not need talent, instruments nor material to become a successful rock and roll band. After ten years perfecting their craft they had the breakthrough hit that changed their destiny. That song was Name, which the band has since been playing live for the last twenty years.

I do a quick piece of mental maths, and realise that these guys are now both in their fifties but here they are, bounding across the stage like proper young 'uns, Rzeznik's blonde highlights and chiselled good looks and Takac's streak of rebelliousness wowing a packed LCR with hit after hit after hit. They are the consumate professionals, working the flanks of the stage as well as the centre, striking the poses and charming us with the between-song repartee and introductions.

They have just released their eleventh studio album, Boxes, and dutifully kick off their set with the opening track Over and Over. An hour and a half later they provide the closing track Long Way Home as an encore, but in between we get a relentless stream of classic songs, as well as another three from the new release. Crowd favourites inevitably included the big hits Iris and Slide, as well as newer songs like Stay With You and Beat. There was also a cover of Prince's Never Take The Place of Your Man.

Like at the Feeder gig a couple of nights before, this is a night not so much for the freshers as the  loyal fans of the band, each of whom has paid nearly £30 to see their heroes perform. They are the ideal 'couples' band – the sentimental love songs appealing to one partner, the loud and phrenetic excursions to the other, whilst both can commune with those good old American rock ballads.

Personally, I was there just as a Billy-No-Mates, and so simply soaked up the entire set. I'd never seen the Goo Goo Dolls live before (even though they played here three years ago), but was knocked out by the quality of the songs, the tightness of the band, and the professionalism of the entire show. This was an evening that may have been enhanced by the lights and the projections, but it shone most brightly because of the individual performances, the wonderful melodies and lyrics of the songs, and of course the enthusiasm of the audience. For the opening night of their UK tour, Goo Goo Dolls must be well satisfied with their return to Norwich.

Support for the night came from ex-Tribes front man and vocalist Johnny Lloyd. Tousled hair and a black leather jacket remind of early incarnations of Johnny Borrell, although Lloyd's style and voice are more Springsteen than Razorlight. Lots of attitude, and a new EP to boot. Should do well.