How were the Goo Goo Dolls? They can still bring the hits and joy, too: Photos

Goo Goo Dolls can bring it.

Johnny Rzeznik sounds fantastic. Robby Takac is an absolute joy to watch. They have the hits. (More hits than you think.) They have adoring fans. They have tons of fun.

For 90 minutes Saturday night in Omaha at The Astro, Goo Goo Dolls injected pure joy into the arms of a packed audience at the brand-new venue’s outdoor amphitheater space. (It was only the venue’s second show ever.)

They’ve been coming to Omaha for years, and Rzeznik had a laugh about it.

“I remember coming here and playing for like 10 people at some shitty bar. Now I get to come here and play for all of you people,” he said. “Thank you for keeping this band alive.”

Rzeznik’s voice sounds fantastic, and he led the band and the crowd through hits like Broadway, Slide, Black Balloon and Sympathy. When it came time for Name and Iris, the crowd took over. You probably could have heard the audience shouting “And I don’t want the world to see me” for miles.

Goo Goo Dolls didn’t just stick to the hits. They brought out things for long-time fans, playing new songs like Run AlL Night and some lesser-known tracks, too. And as always, Takac took the mic for songs including January Friend, Lucky Star, Bringing On the Light and Life’s a Message.

It was a blast. See the full setlist and tons of photos below.

Setlist

• Broadway
• Over and Over
• Slide
• Big Machine
• Here Is Gone
• Black Balloon
• January Friend
• Yeah, I Like You
• Going Crazy
• Lucky Star
• So Alive
• Sympathy
• Name
• Come to Me
• Dizzy
• Miracle Pill
• Run All Night
• Life’s a Message
• Bringing On the Light
• Better Days
• Stay With You
• Tattered Edge
• Iris

Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro

John Rzeznik performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

The Goo Goo Dolls perform at The Astro in Omaha on Sept. 23, 2023.

The Astro's sign hangs outside the venue.

John Rzeznik performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

Robby Takac performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

John Rzeznik performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

Robby Takac performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

John Rzeznik performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

The Goo Goo Dolls perform at The Astro in Omaha on Sept. 23, 2023.

John Rzeznik and Robby Takac perform with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

Robby Takac performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

John Rzeznik performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

John Rzeznik and Robby Takac perform with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

John Rzeznik performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

Robby Takac performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

John Rzeznik performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

Robby Takac performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.

John Rzeznik performs with the Goo Goo Dolls at The Astro on Sept. 23, 2023.