Page 49 - Black Velvet Issue 91

BV91 pg49_BV91 pg49 13/12/2016 00:40 Page 1

BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 49

GOO GOO DOLLS / JOHNNY LLOYD – BIRMINGHAM O2 INSTITUTE, 13.10.16
It’s Goo Goo Dolls’ first UK tour in support of their latest album, ing with ‘Over And Over’, the opening song from the new album is sump-
‘Boxes’. Unfortunately, support artist Johnny Lloyd may be someone you’d tuous and fits right at home in the Goo Goo Dolls set. Bassist Robby Takac
want to put into a box and store away in the attic, probably never to take is a bundle of energy, jumping up and down on his tip toes while John
back out again. He doesn’t ignite the crowd. His mellow indie rock lacks Rzeznik’s lush lyrics gently cavort over the audience. The audience is a
energy, keeping a lackluster pace. You can feel dust settling. Despite end- mixed crowd, featuring both young and old fans. The band has seen their
ing with ‘Running Wild’, there is nothing wild about Johnny Lloyd. music cross generations and managed to keep fans interested throughout
Excitement fills the air before Goo Goo Dolls take to the stage. Open- their 30+ year career. Another new song, ‘So Alive’, with its dancier beat,

is eagerly greeted, although the crowd for the most part are very chilled,
looking up at the stage rather than rocking out. Old favourites such as
‘Slide’ are much loved and go down a treat, but again fans sing and cheer
politely rather than going nuts. A fan throws a cuddly Elmo toy up to the
stage. John picks it up for a second before throwing it in the air. The band
performed ‘Slide’ on Sesame Street early in their career.
Robby takes over vocals for songs such as ‘Bringing On The Light’
and ‘Smash’. He tells a funny story relating to Sesame Street. He tried to
impress his daughter by showing her the TV clip but she was more inter-
ested in playing with her toys. “Lesson learned, don’t try to impress kids,”
he says.
The band know how to impress us though – and playing ‘The Pin’ is
a quick way to do so. This song sounds so smooth and succulent. ‘Name’,
‘Broadway’ and ‘Iris’ are three more that everyone wants to hear, the latter
getting probably the biggest cheer of the evening.
John wittily tells the audience that they played Glasgow and Man-
chester – in Glasgow he couldn’t understand a word they said, and in
Manchester he kept his mouth shut. He tells Birmingham he feels safe in
their arms. We’re very happy to hear that – and hope that the band don’t
leave it too long before returning to our arms again.
YYYY
SBV
John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) Photo By Shari Black Velvet

CONCERTS