The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMusicLive music

Goo Goo Dolls at the Hammersmith Apollo

Goo Goo Dolls at the Hammersmith Apollo | Live review
29 October 2013
Jack Hill
Avatar
Jack Hill
29 October 2013

From hard rock beginnings on the monster album Dizzy Up the Girl to 2010’s Something for the Rest of Us, Goo Goo Dolls have successfully remained relevant – an achievement most groups of the late 80s/early 90s could only aspire to. Promoting their new album, Magnetic, the Dolls closed a special UK eight-show run (their first appearance in three years) at the Hammersmith Apollo last night. 

For a group of men in their late 40s, the band had the packed venue eating from the palms of their hands – frontman John Rzeznik in particular took to the stage like a young Jon Bon Jovi, only with less arrogance. 

The band showed no signs of inflated ego with a set that catered solely to the fans and their enjoyment, including the hits Slide, Better Days and the song that topped Billboard’s Top 100 Pop Songs 1992-2012 chart, Iris. That said, the heavily engaged crowd rejoiced in the inclusion of newer material such as new singles Rebel Beat and Come to Me, singing along in unison as if these were among the band’s aforementioned staples. 

As with their music, the Dolls’ appearance has altered over the years to suit a more contemporary look. The same could not be said, however, for the electrified audience, with many dressed in vintage 90s garb that really hammered home the nostalgia. 

A short encore featuring a cover of Supertramp’s Just a Little Bit closed what was a surprisingly crisp show. A few flat tunes that may end up as the backing for a Kodak advert in the near future were the only downside to the night. Fortunately they were buried by the overall cool, fresh and record-clear sound of the Dolls. 

Jack Hill
Photos: Helen Parish

For further information and future events visit Goo Goo Dolls’ website here.

Watch the video for Come to Me here:

Related Itemslive musicreview

More in Live music

Bicep at Saatchi Gallery Online

★★★★★
Jessica Wall
Read More

Laura Mvula – Under a Pink Moon

★★★★★
Sylvia Unerman
Read More

Tom Grennan live in concert – online

★★★★★
Georgie Cowan-Turner
Read More

The Cinematic Orchestra at the Southbank Centre

★★★★★
Dan Meier
Read More

Vienna New Year’s Day Concert at the Musikverein

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

Rufus, Martha and Lucy Wainwright Present: A Not So Silent Night “Virtually Together”

★★★★★
Francis Nash
Read More

Pete Tong and the Heritage Orchestra: Ibiza Classics – O Come All Ye Ravers at the O2 Arena Online

★★★★★
Dan Meier
Read More

Courtney Barnett live from the Royal Exhibition Building Melbourne

★★★★★
Georgie Cowan-Turner
Read More

Gorillaz: Song Machine Live

★★★★★
Sylvia Unerman
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • The Toll
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Maximo Park – Nature Always Wins
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • I’m Your Man (Ich bin dein Mensch)
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Your Honor
    ★★★★★
    sky
  • Spotlight: Lauren Everet and Soup Kitchen London, striving for food security and social equality
    Food & Drinks
  • Celebrate International Women’s Day with a Bombay Sapphire Cocktails & Create masterclass
    Food & Drinks
  • Postdata – Twin Flames
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Daniel Brühl on his directorial debut Next Door: “It was magical; I didn’t get a ‘no’ from anyone.”
    Berlinale
  • Introduction (Inteurodeoksyeon)
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Moxie
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Souad
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • We (Nous)
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Bicep at Saatchi Gallery Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Winter Lake
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Deaf Havana at the Roundhouse | Live review
The Circus of Horrors at the Lyric Theatre | Theatre review