When I arrived at the Canada Life Centre right before doors opened for The Goo Goo Dolls headlining concert on Saturday night (March 28th), the scene outside already said everything about what this night meant. The general admission line had completely wrapped around the block, and people were already lining up hours before the show. By the time the doors opened, I could see the excitement in people’s eyes, and you could feel the energy building even before stepping inside. It makes sense, though. The Goo Goo Dolls have quietly broken records, contributed a lot to the American rock songbook, and connected with millions of fans around the world over the years.

With Dashboard Confessional on the bill, the night started without any delays. At first, Chris Carrabba came out alone with his guitar and started singing, which gave the set a more intimate start. Then the rest of the band joined him, and once the full band was on stage and the lights came on, the entire band was seen performing with electrifying energy. They started with “The Best Deceptions” and “The Sharp Hint of New Tears,” followed by “Southbound” and “Sinking.” Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and people around me were talking about how incredible Chris sounded that night. The crowd was already warmed up by that point, singing along and reacting to every moment. They ended their set with all-time favorites like “Hands Down” and “Vindicated,” leaving the audience fully ready for the main act.

The Goo Good Dolls fans were so ready to sing with the band that day. Following the release of the Goo Goo Dolls’ 2025 EP, Summer Anthem, the band has been trending and it showed in the crowd’s reaction. They started with “Naked,” “Home,” followed by “Slide” which brought a wave of nostalgia. Few songs from Summer Anthem touched the hearts of audiences such as “Ocean,” “Run All Night,” and “Not Goodbye.” Things got little bit melodic when they played “Acoustic#3,” “Sympathy” and “Name”. With “Iris” dominating every social media post lately, it was refreshing to hear “Name”. During those songs, John shredded on his guitar and performed solos. The setlist jumped around quite a lot but whatever they did was the best. Later, “Better Days” followed by “Broadway” where they introduced the whole band. Everyone applauded and shouted when they introduced themselves. 

Before “Iris” started, everyone turned on their flashlights. It was marvelous to see thousands of flashlights waving throughout the arena. Everyone sang along and didn’t miss a single note. What a great way to end the Saturday night. The band and all the crowd truly seemed to be relishing at the Canada Life Centre. The set list was solid that night.  

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

Upcoming Tour Dates:
March 30, 2026 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – GFL Memorial Gardens
April 1, 2026 – Oshawa, ON – Tribute Communities Centre
April 2, 2026 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
April 4, 2026 – London, ON – Canada Life Place
April 6, 2026 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
April 8, 2026 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
April 10, 2026 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre
April 11, 2026 – Moncton, NB – Avenir Centre
April 18, 2026 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn 2026
May 15, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 16, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 20, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 22, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 23, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
More information here.

GOO GOO DOLLS

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL

All Photo Credit: Nischal Karki

At Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre on March 22, Lauren Spencer Smith returned to something close to home. The Port Alberni native was greeted like one of the city’s own, and the energy in the room made that clear long before she stepped on stage. Groups of friends, families, and plenty of young fans filled the theatre early, already singing along to the preshow playlist as if the concert had started without her.

Opening the night, Maisy Kay brought a theatrical, almost fairytale-like presence. Dressed in a flowing outfit with butterfly details (down to her water bottle), she moved across the stage with ease, turning a solo set into something that felt full and lively. Tracks like “Technicolor Honeymoon” and “Almost Touch Me” leaned into glossy pop, while her take on Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” added a playful twist, complete with impressive vocal runs. Kay’s charm came through in the quieter moments too, especially when she paused to speak directly to the crowd, sharing about connection and heartbreak.

Next up, Sofia Camara shifted the mood into something more intimate. Her set leaned heavily on storytelling, with each song introduced like a chapter pulled from her own life. When she asked the crowd to stand up and light up the room for “Starlight,” the Orpheum transformed into a sea of phone lights, soft and glowing. That calm didn’t last long once she launched into “Parking Lot,” which had the audience singing back every word. By the end of her set, she had clearly won over a room that arrived early and ready to listen.

By the time Spencer Smith appeared, the anticipation had been building for hours. Her stage design leaned into the theme of The Art of Being A Mess, built around a stylized bus stop complete with a bench and a ringing payphone. It gave the show a sense of movement, like each song marked a different emotional stop along the way. When the lights dropped and the phone rang, the crowd screams, and she walked out to open with “IF KARMA DOESN’T GET YOU,” quickly followed by “Lighting the Flame” and “28.” For “Bigger Person,” the fans had prepared a special project and had distributed little pieces of paper ahead of the show asking the crowd to turn on their phone lights. It was one of the most beautiful, still moments of the night.

Indeed, from the start, her connection with the audience felt personal. She didn’t treat the room like a blur of faces, and she made eye contact, reacted to signs, and took time between songs to talk. That balance of control and openness carried the night. Vocally, she was sharp and consistent, moving from restrained verses to full, belted choruses.

The setlist pulled heavily from her latest album, The Art of Being a Mess, alongside fan favourites like “That Part,” “Pray,” and “Flowers.” The loudest moments came when the crowd took over entirely, turning songs like “Fingers Crossed” into full-on singalongs.

Interactive moments helped shape the pacing. The “Tell Me A Secret” segment brought a mix of humour and vulnerability as anonymous confessions were read aloud, while the “Wheel of Feels” added an unpredictable edge.

What stood out most was how comfortable Spencer Smith looked in this setting. There’s been steady growth in her stage presence over the past few years, and it shows. She knows when to step back and let the crowd carry a moment, and when to lean in and push her voice to the front. The energy in the room never let up.

For a hometown-adjacent crowd, this tour stop was a reminder of how far she’s come, and how strongly her music continues to land with the people who found her early.

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

LAUREN SPENCER SMITH

SOFIA CAMARA

MAISY KAY

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer