The Goo Goo Dolls have fiercely contributed to the great American songbook with their gorgeous and soaring compositions. Even more so, the Goo Goo Dolls have played an important part at supplying music to the soundtrack of our lives.
Everyone has their own story on how they discovered the Goo Goo Dolls. Although my first listen was not so special, just hearing ‘Iris’ on the radio in my bedroom after school (I’ve never seen that City of Angels movie), and then frequently through my ex-boyfriend’s CDs (before I got my own). The Goo Goo Dolls have strongly stood the test of time through many years, and for me, many exs.
The last time the Goo Goo Dolls did a headlining tour in Australia was 26 years ago, in promotion of their iconic album, Dizzy Up the Girl. Despite providing us with a brief visit last year when they toured with Matchbox Twenty, John Rzeznik and Robby Takac knew that this was not enough. We needed a headline tour. In response, the Goo Goo Dolls have provided Aussie fans with the Australia Summer Anthem Tour, proudly promoted by TEG [Van Egmond].
In a fitting finale of their Australian tour, the Goo Goo Dolls concluded their 2025 Aussie adventure at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena. The stage set up was simple; instruments patiently waiting to be played on stage, while a black material backdrop with white text of the Goo Goo Dolls’ name was slowly raised like a flag. With no obstruction from any seat, the minimal staging only assisted to provide maximum viewing and enjoyment for every Melbourne patron.
For many in the Melbourne venue, this was their first time seeing the American band live. For others, it was sweet, sweet bliss to be reunited with these rock icons. Having purchased Matchbox Twenty tickets last year specifically for the purpose of seeing the Goo Goo Dolls live. I can happily share that I was the latter.
When the five-member touring band finally took the stage, the Melbourne audience weren’t shy to make their excitement known. This ecstatic feeling only grew tenfold when John Rzeznik began to sing.
It was so wonderful seeing Melbourne patrons jump on their feet and dance around me, with attendees of all ages proudly singing along to every word. Rzeznik affectionately shared with the Melbourne audience that he didn’t want to leave, and that it was the band’s “last night in your beautiful country”. And you know what? They definitely saved the best for last.
Cheers filled the arena whenever lead singer John Rzeznik, unfiltered, warm and genuine, actively interacted with the Melbourne crowd. The Goo Goo Dolls felt comfortable and familiar, like curling up with a nice hot chocolate at home after a long day at work, or an old friend finally visiting you after years and years of texts and a bunch of long email threads.
There was an excitement in the air, whenever fans would recognise the opening notes to their favourite songs. This included ‘Slide’, the emotional ‘Black Balloon’, the cleverly written ‘Big Machine’ from their album Gutterflower, one of my favourites ‘Here Is Gone’ (also from Gutterflower), ‘Name’ which wonderfully began acapella, and the forgivable ‘Sympathy’ where Rzeznik bashfully admitted to the Melbourne audience that he had forgotten the lyrics, playfully chuckling that he is “just a man”. However, the devoted Melbourne crowd did remember the lyrics, and together, we made it to the end of the song.
Robby Takac also had his chance to shine, when not actively pacing around, animatedly jumping about and gleefully strumming his bass guitar, Takac sung ‘Smash’, ‘Life’s a Message’ and ‘Bringing On the Light’, which was received with loud supportive cheers from die-hard fans. His energy was infectious, not to mention I was envious of his lovely pink hair.
Highlights of the evening included when John Rzeznik performed the Goo Goo Dolls’ 2023 tune, ‘Run All Night’ which started off softer while Rzeznik wielded an acoustic guitar. This quickly switched to an electric guitar mid song, much to the surprise of Melbourne patrons (including myself). The song itself is an underrated gem, and I daresay, one of the Goo Goo Dolls’ best. ‘Come To Me’ was also a lot fun to sing along to and had patrons jumping about in joy by the end. I also adored watching Rzeznik surprisingly pull out a harmonica during ‘Broadway’, showing that he’s a man of many talents (just in case you weren’t aware already).
Encores are a strange thing. Audiences have gotten used to seeing artists disappear before coming back for a booming finale. The way that the Goo Goo Dolls orchestrated this expected tradition was with the Melbourne stage being intimately lit for a moment. However, the music on stage never really stopped. Before we knew it, the Goo Goo Dolls were back to give Melbourne fans their ultimate anthem.
Everyone collectively gasped upon hearing the opening notes to ‘Iris’ before John Rzeznik gifted the Melbourne audience the final song of the night, filling the Melbourne venue with his smooth and soaring vocals. Holding his microphone stand in the air, Rzeznik encouraged the Melbourne crowd to sing along, “I just wanna go home with all your voices ringing in my head.” Let’s just hope that Melbourne left a fine impression, as in this special moment, our voices marvellously combined into one glorious and incredible sound.
The Goo Goo Dolls were mighty impressive in a headline Australian tour that was long overdue. Grateful to their long-supporting Aussie fans and evidently enjoying every moment that they shared the room during their Melbourne concert; one would only hope that we don’t have to wait another 26 damn years before another Goo Goo Dolls Australian concert tour. Honestly, what a fucking fantastic show!
Music can be a fickle beast, but the Goo Goo Dolls make it look easy. It’s super impressive that the Goo Goo Dolls have been around for decades with their unique, irresistible songwriting and anthemic tunes. How lucky are we that we get to see the Goo Goo Dolls live, that they’re still sharing their music with the world, and are masterfully tugging at our heart strings! I only hope that the next time that they tour Australia, my ultimate favourite Goo Goo Dolls song, ‘Hate This Place’ will be part of their setlist. Hey, a girl can dream!
The Goo Goo Dolls toured Australia as part of their 2025 Australia Summer Anthem Tour, proudly presented by TEG [Van Egmond]. The tour concluded in Melbourne at Margaret Court Arena on Sunday the 2nd of March 2025.
For more information, visit:
https://www.tegvanegmond.com/events/googoodolls2025
https://www.googoodolls.com
https://www.instagram.com/googoodollsofficial
Photography by Grant Alexander.
