Live Review: Goo Goo Dolls at AIS Arena Canberra 2025 – Spotlight Report
Had it not been for February 2024’s Matchbox Twenty tour, it had been 22 years since American pop rockers the Goo Goo Dolls visited Australian shores. However, the excellent reception and 90s nostalgia lineup certainly reinvigorated their fans and gave them recourse to return to our shores so soon as a welcome surprise. Joining them on their Australian “Summer Anthem” tour is one of Australia’s best known acts Thirsty Merc as they travel across most of the country with AIS Arena Canberra hosting the first of 6 headline shows.
Thirsty Merc got their start back in 2004, and ever since have remained a staple on both our airwaves and touring Australia almost annually. Opening with their beautiful vocal harmonies on “My Completeness” that mixes both a chaotic rock energy with Rai Thistlethwayte’s fast paced vocal delivery. They keep the energy up swiftly moving into “The Good Life” with its hopping drums and clap along rhythm. “Tommy and Krista” has a swing be-bop vibe that takes us on the journey of the relationship of the titular pair, that most of us at one point or another can relate to. With Thistlethwayte encouraging the audience into a call and response scat session to close out the song.
Showcasing their ability to shift between rock energy to more heartfelt piano ballads lead vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Thistlethwayte hops onto the keys to play “Someday Someday” and “20 Good Reasons”. Bassist Phil Stack gets his moment to shine with a thumping bass solo whilst guitarist Matt Smith gets to also jam in a quick guitar solo. That then transitions into invoking the crowd to join in on the big swelling chorus in the final stanza. They close out their tight 30 minute set with the quintessential vibe tune “In The Summertime” that will never fail at putting the crowd in a good mood and raucous sing along.
After a 30 minute changeover the enormous ‘The Goo Goo Dolls’ banner is revealed and the band come out with a roaring rendition of “Naked”’ from their ‘A Boy Named Goo’ album vintage; that happens to be celebrating its 30 year anniversary this year. Barely taking a pause they move straight into radio darling “Slide” which generates many jubilant squeals from the audience. They keep the pace going with a bombastic rendition of “Big Machine” that transitions almost seamlessly into “Home”. All of these songs charged with energy that showcase how well this band has maintained their strength as a pop rock powerhouse for all these years. “Black Balloon”, “Feel The Silence” and “Better Days” are songs that highlight Rzeznik’s soaring vocal range and how these songs in their live format build over the course of the track to a full crescendo and then tapering off as they end.
Feeling suitably warmed up to the crowd he recounts how the next song was written when he was trying to get sober and how it was a pretty fucked up place to be but the upside is that he got a good song out of it. Standing on the stage completely solo he launches into an acoustic rendition of “Sympathy” a song that Rzeznik has notoriously on previous occasions messed up due to the complex chords and unusual song structure, however this time, he nailed it flawlessly.
Bassist Robby Takac also has an opportunity to step out and sing songs like “Smash” and “Bringing On The Light”, both songs that lightly harken back to the band’s early punk rock roots. And a more meaningful “Life’s A Message” which is probably the closest Takac will get to a ballad like song. Whilst Takac’s vocals are not his strong suit his charisma, constant smiles and energy on stage makes him engaging to watch.
Touring keyboardist Jim McGorman gets to lead the rousing “So Alive” while “Going Crazy” pushes the band in to a full energetic rock tilt with its fiery and fast chorus and a classic electric guitar solo. “Run All Night” with its message of hope and uplifting tone is another bold brash pop rock anthem. All these songs, one from 2016 album ‘Boxes’, another from 2022’s ‘Chaos In Bloom’, and a one off 2023 single release; never got the radio play they deserved here in Australia. But for the hardcore fans that have stuck with the band all these years, were rewarded with getting to hear these more recent songs played live.
As they move into their closing act, they execute an utterly electrifying extended edition of “Broadway” that includes a harmonica and electric guitar solo breakdown that has elevated the song to grand new heights. The show ends with the band’s iconic radio hit “Iris” with phone lights aloft and an entire room singing along to the power ballad. It may have been over 20 years for them to come back to Australian shores but we can say that it’s been worth the wait courtesy of a fully stacked set list of songs spanning a 40+ year career.
