It’s Thursday night in Camden Town and just a little north of the market area is the Roundhouse venue hosting US Melodic Rockers the ‘Goo Goo Dolls’. Warming up proceedings are the 4-piece UK rockers ‘Valeras’ 2 girl/2 boy outfit, who softly build up their half an hour slot and find themselves well received by the Doll’s audience.

The ‘Goo Goo Dolls’ are on their 2020 album ‘Miracle Pill’ tour some 34 years on since vocal/guitarist Johnny Rzeznik and bass/vocalist Robby Takac formed the band. Tonight is a 21 song set while only airing five songs from the latest release, opening with ‘Indestructible’ while airing ‘Miracle Pill’, ’Fearless’, ’Life’s A Message’ and ‘Autumn Leaves’ later.

The band obviously know their fan base that wants the favourite numbers from over the years and there is a varying age of punters in the place tonight who got what they wanted. The big hitters like ‘Name’, ’Naked’, ‘Slide’, ’Home’, and for me, the tune of the night ‘Big Machine’ from the ‘Gutterflower’ album - were all enthusiastically received in the house.

‘Iris’you cry? Yes, the penultimate song of the evening extended with this crowd participation sing-a-long, ending with ‘Broadway’ also off 1998’s ‘Dizzy Up The Girl’ long player! Not uncommon nowadays is the end of the planned encore, especially when you’ve given the people what they want, hence the band departs and the lights come on. Basically it’s job done all round and a job done well.

Geoff C.