The Goo Goo Dolls brings their Big Night Out Tour to Sand Mountain

The Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R. united for their thrilling Big Night Out tour at the Sand Mountain Amphitheater in Albertville, AL. Despite the scorching heat and high humidity, both bands put on an unforgettable show. The venue was packed to near capacity, with seats filled and the lawn adorned with chairs and eager spectators, all ready for an electrifying evening of music.

O.A.R. took the stage first, kicking off with the powerful “About an Hour Ago”, led by Marc Roberge’s impressive vocals, never missing a beat. The band’s energy was relentless, and the crowd’s enthusiasm reached its peak during the performance of the hit “Shattered (Turn the Car Around).” The vibrant saxophone solos by Jerry DePizzo added an extra layer of excitement to their set. As they closed with the energetic “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker,” the amphitheater was left buzzing, eager for more.

At 9:00, The Goo Goo Dolls graced the stage to thunderous applause. Their nearly two-hour performance began with classics like “Broadway,” “Over and Over,” and “Slide”. John Rzeznik’s passionate delivery and mix of beloved classics and fresh material, like the unreleased song “Use Me,” kept the audience engaged. Robby Takac surprised everyone with a punk-fueled rendition of “Lucky” and a couple of other songs, adding to the night’s excitement.

Further surprises awaited the crowd, including Jim McGorman’s captivating piano performance of “Symphony” and a “new” member of the band, known as Tapey. The enchanting atmosphere continued as John serenaded with his acoustic guitar, launching into “Name” and witnessing the entire audience joining in for the chorus. The crowd’s camaraderie and the band’s infectious energy made the experience even more memorable. The Goo Goo Dolls followed with a trio of hits, from “Give a Little Bit” to “Stay With You” leaving the amphitheater thoroughly satisfied.

As tradition dictated, the band returned for an encore, inviting Marc Roberge on stage for a stirring rendition of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” with both John and Marc taking turns on various parts of the song. The encore left the crowd in awe, but the Goo Goo Dolls had one more surprise up their sleeve – their biggest hit, “Iris.” The audience erupted in excitement, and the venue was aglow with hundreds of swaying cellphone lights. It was a spectacular end to a night of pure musical magic. Both The Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R. prove that as time has gone on, they have not missed a beat!