The Czar Is Alive: I Wanna Wake Up Where You Are Johnny!!!!

Last night, one of my favourite bands of all time came on stage at the O2 academy here in Leeds. Who might that be? Well unless you have been living under a rock the past two decades and have not heard of 'Iris', then you might as well stop reading.

It's the Goo Goo Dolls!!!!

YAY!

It was definitely a surreal feeling seeing one of the bands I grew up listening to live. Even more so for those middle-aged couples who were also present actually! Though to be honest, I wasn't surprised that the majority of the turn out were mostly older peeps because they were the teens who jammed to the Goo Goo's way back when. If anything it felt weird for me because it's almost as though I was a late-bloomer compared to the others but I didn't care. We were all there for the same reason. Nostalgia, fun and good music.

So I went with my friend Wednesday (who's actually Lucy, but since last year there were about 7 Lucy's in my building, we had to come up with nicknames!), who I always go to gigs with, the last one being Josh Radin and Lissie. We did go with another Lucy then but she couldn't make the evening so it was just a date between me and W, and it was FUN! We met up at the Parky Steps in the freezing cold at 8pm because we didn't want to be there too early. It was actually a good call since the Goo Goo's didn't come on stage until around 9:30. So instead we took our time walking to the O2, complete with Tesco sandwiches because we were feeling peckish.

Once we got there, the place was packed. We go some drinks (Diet Coke for us. Me because I rarely drink, and her because she made a vow not to get drunk..), and made our way near-ish the front. We actually stood at a good spot! We were far but not too far. I didn't have to zoom too much which was good for the photos and videos. They weren't distorted or anything.

Me and Lucy (Wednesday)

So when we got there, a Glaswegian alternative band called Unkle Bob was on set. They were opening for the Goo Goo's and I really didn't have an idea as to who they were. They were good though, so it didn't matter. I always like listening to new artists, and Unkle Bob was a pleasure to listen to. Their sound is a fusion between early 90's rock and our new wave of indie-folk, which is a great combo. I was just thinking about how they would sound great in a soundtrack for Grey's Anatomy, when they finished off with a single called 'Swan' and the lead said that it might sound familiar. Lo and behold! It was used in a Grey's episode! I knew I heard it before, so really in the end, they weren't new to me. I was just re-introduced to them, and I was happy that I was.

So they finished around 8:45, and we had another 45 minutes to spare before the main act went on stage. W and I ended up talking about other musicians we both listened to exchanged names so we can add to our playlists. It's always good bonding with somebody who has more or less the same taste in music as you because it makes it all the better going to gigs and stuff. We both appareciate and enjoy the music, and last night was definitely one of THE best gigs I have ever been to.

So around 9:30, the lights we're dimmed and the bass started booming. Phones were lit, hands were thrown in the air, and screaming voices filled the place. They're here! Good ol' Johnny Rzeznik and the Gang! AHHHH! I was 13 again! They opened with a new single from their new album 'Something For the Rest of Us', and it was called 'Sweetest Lie'. Their sound has not changed one bit I thought, but the funny thing was, they didn't sound dated at all. Some people might say the Goo Goo's are practically relics from the nineties, but in all seriousness they sounded as fresh and relevant as they did back then. Johnny's vocals were en point, and so was Robby's craziness (Oh that man! Crazy eyes all night!!! He would have given me nightmares easily if I had seen him when I was a child. He looked like a cross between Edward Scissorhands and Grimas from the Two Towers!)

The whole set was jam-packed with some of their greatest hits including Big Machine, 'Black Balloon', 'Here is Gone', and 'Slide'. There was a dozen songs in the set, easily, probably more to be honest. They hardly took a break! They performed song after song, and all that time, all I could think of was 'How painful it must be for their fingers! Slashing the guitars song after song!' Of course, they had to perform their biggest hit 'Iris', at which point everybody in the room joined in, screaming the lyrics as loudly as they could. The atmosphere was pure rock, and I savoured every minute of it. Never mind the fact that all the way through I was lusting over Johnny a bit, which was quite funny because W pointed out the great resemblance between him and Jon Bon Jovi! They sang a couple of songs from their new album as well including the lead single, 'Home', which again was just classic Goo Goo's.

All in all it was a GREAT night. Definitely worth £27. If anything I think actually got such a great deal because we were spoiled at that gig! Some artists charge so much for so little set time, but last night we got more than we ever expected. I have to say also, that having a nightcap of cheeseburgers and chicken mayos at Maccie D's topped off the evening perfectly. You have to have something from McDonald's after a night out...it's one of the best parts!

Anyways, here are some of the shots I took from the gig. Enjoy!