Throwback Thursday - Goo Goo Dolls - Iris (In The Pouring Rain In Their Hometown of Buffalo)
In terms of surreal, "had to be there" music moments, this one has to rank up there in the single digits.
There are concerts you attend. And then there are concerts that become legendary, etched into the collective memory of a city, a band, and its fans.
The Goo Goo Dolls’ Fourth of July performance in Buffalo, 2004, was the latter.
I wasn’t lucky enough to be there in the rain-drenched streets of Niagara Square. But I’ve watched it, rewatched it, and dreamed of what it must have felt like to be a part of that torrential, euphoric storm.
Johnny Rzeznik, soaked and grinning like he knew something the crowd didn't, asking for power for his guitar. While the crowd, 60,000 strong by some accounts, didn’t run for cover as the downpour occurred. They stood, and sang/chanted along. Arms raised for what looked to be the entirety of the song.
The guy on the mandolin fucking killed it.
But not like the Buffalo crowd.
Pretty insane when Rzeznik stretched the mic out, hearing the crowd sing back like that. Goosebump city.
What a moment. Jealous of anybody who got to be at this show.
Don't you fuckin love music?
And wouldn't you love some good playlists? I'm going to get these going again on Thursdays and build our Backstage spotify account.
Advertisement
Throw some suggestions in the comments and keep on rockin in the free world.
p.s. - if you love alternative rock, classic rock, and indie, here's a mix I made a few years ago that cracks.