Lisa Loeb and The Goo Goo Dolls Entertain Students

by Rebecca Clark

Tuesday night November 5, the Utica auditorium had a remarkable experience for all who attended. The Goo Goo Dolls finally came back to Utica, NY putting on a staggering performance. Having the very talented Lisa Loeb as their opening act.

  The crowd looked small in the big venue, but the there was an intense feeling of excitement lingering in the air. There was plenty of room to move about, but eager fans were packed together in front of the stage, getting close as possible for a gratifying view.

  Starting off the night was Lisa Loeb. It was an intimate performance with a microphone, a guitar and Lisa. Lisa is a very talented singer, which was evident as she sang. Showing humor in her talent she sung a song that she wrote about voting and how impossible it can be, making the audience laugh with amusement. Constantly interacting with the audience during her set, fans kept asking if they could have a guitar pick and one even asked to have her shirt. “I kind of need that right now, but next time I come to Utica I will bring a closet full of stuff and we can have a yard sale right on stage, won’t that be fun? And we’ll have pizza and push-ups,” Loeb told the audience. Performing her classic song that started it all “Stay” and new songs off of her new album “Hello Lisa,” including her new single “Under Dog,” “You don’t know me,” and “Did That.” During Lisa’s incredible set, the audience a chance to connect with her, having a personal club feeling.

After Lisa’s set fans began to inch closer and closer to the stage, the anticipation was intensifying and the excitement was on the rise.           

Suddenly, the lights went out and the audience began screaming. The energy was intense as strobe lights flickered and the Goo Goo Dolls hit the stage diving right into “Naked.” Smiling from ear to ear, it was evident the Goo Goo Dolls were enjoying every minute of performing for their fans, even though the venue was not packed full of people. The feeling of excitement and energy was running through everyone and just spreading like wildfire.

John and Robby conversed with the audience, talking to them about stealing beer from their parents and watching Caddy Shack for the first time. Bras started to fly on the stage and John said, “Damn, this has a lot of padding! This reminds me of when I was dating this one girl and she had one of those water bras. One night I put it in the freezer and then put it back before she woke up, the next day we weren’t dating anymore.” Personalizing the set gave the show a personal feeling, enhancing the whole show.

Their set had a an assortment of songs from their albums, the Goo Goo Dolls performed an exceptional set, giving the radio friendly fan a real taste of their music. Robby and Johnny both took turns in the spotlight of singing songs. Playing their notorious songs “Iris,” “Name,” “Dizzy,” “Here is Gone,” and “Slide.” The Goo Goo Dolls also played other songs such as “Amigone,” “All eyes on me,” “Sympathetic,” “Big Machine,” and “Tucked Away.” Their set was full of surprises including their touring mate John, who spiced up the music by playing the saxophone, keyboards and the accordion.

Teasing the audience by leaving the stage and the venue dark, the Goo Goo dolls came back to play an encore performance. When John came back on the stage he jokingly said, “sh*t, you knew we were coming back.” The Dolls played an encore of four songs along with “January Friend.”

The Goo Goo Dolls are amazing performers and know how to entertain a crowd of hungry fans. Seeing them live is an experience any rock fan should do, fan or not they will “Dizzy up” your world.