July 20, 2025 @ Ascend amphitheatre

Summer Anthem Tour 2025

On a perfect Sunday evening, the Goo Goo Dolls delivered a sold-out performance to a crowd of 6,800 at Nashville’s beloved Ascend Amphitheater. Joined by tourmates Dashboard Confessional, the iconic American rock band proved that nearly four decades on the road hasn’t dimmed their fire. With a dynamic setlist blending timeless classics and fresh new tracks, the Goo Goo Dolls brought energy, emotion, and nostalgia to the stage, captivating fans of every generation.

Opening for the Goo Goo Dolls, Dashboard Confessional delivered a powerful and emotionally charged set that immediately captured the crowd’s attention and set the tone for the night. Formed in 1999 by frontman Chris Carrabba, the band brought a balanced mix of joy and melancholy, drawing fans into a wave of nostalgia and connection from the first note. Their setlist, featuring beloved tracks like “Stolen,” “Vindicated,” and the fan-favorite “Hands Down,” sparked a whirlwind of emotion that the audience fully embraced.

A heartwarming highlight came toward the end, when Chris invited his son onstage to join on drums, seamlessly fitting into the band and delivering a standout performance. Closing with “Hands Down,” Carrabba shared a tender moment, revealing it was written about the best day of his life—leaving fans moved and deeply connected. As the lights dimmed and the stage began to shift for the headliner, the air buzzed with anticipation.

At exactly 9:00 PM, the rock legends took the stage one by one, launching into a 23-song set that electrified the eager crowd. Wasting no time, the Goo Goo Dolls opened with fan favorites like “Naked,” “Slide,” and “Think About Me,” instantly drawing the audience into the energy of the night. Frontman John Rzeznik commanded the spotlight with ease, his vocals and stage presence as powerful as ever. Midway through the set, the band welcomed a surprise guest, Colbie Caillat, who joined Rzeznik for a stunning duet of “Give a Little Bit,” elevating the performance with a heartfelt, unexpected twist.

Immediately after Caillat took the stage, Rzeznik shared a sweet antidote about a man he spoke with whose wife's favorite song was "Come to Me," by the band, which she made him go see despite the man's aversion to "soupy songs." Rzeznik replied, "You're supposed to do that, my wife made me see Enrique Iglesias!" The crowd laughed,as the band continued their performance. The night culminated in the band’s iconic anthem, “Iris,” a song that has become a cultural touchstone. As voices rang out in unison across the amphitheater, the Goo Goo Dolls gave their fans a perfect blend of nostalgia, emotion, and unforgettable live music.