Lillie Hollabaugh There’s nothing quite like a warm summer night in Nashville, especially when it’s spent under the stars at Ascend Amphitheater. On July 20, 2025, the iconic venue played host to an unforgettable evening as the legendary Goo Goo Dolls rolled through town on their 2025 Summer Anthem Tour.
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional had a stellar opening set for the night, with lead singer Chris Carrabba enrapturing the crowd with his incredible vocals and personable connections with Nashville and his music. Opening with songs like “The Best Deceptions” and “The Sharp Hint of New Tears”, this band was in good company with a crowd that was enamored from the first chords. One of the best parts of seeing artists live in Nashville is hearing their personal connections to Music City. Carrabba was no exception, sharing how a wave of homesickness while touring Europe eased the moment he heard a Goo Goo Dolls song playing from a passing taxi.
This story transitioned into powerful ballads like “Southbound and Sinking” into “Remember to Breathe”, giving the audience a taste of the passion and fire Dashboard Confessional has for their music. The crowd was brought to their feet for their song “Vindicated”, made even more special by Carrabba’s son Caden joining the band on the drums, thus deeming the song “VindiCaden” by Carrabba. Dashboard Confessional closed their set with fan favorites ‘Screaming Infidelities’ and ‘Hands Down,’ lighting up the stage just as the sun dipped below the horizon at the amphitheater.
Photos by Lillie Hollabaugh. All images © 2025 Copyright Lillie Hollabaugh. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Goo Goo Dolls
Fans of all generations were packed in the amphitheater to see the world famous Goo Goo Dolls. With a legacy stretching back to 1995 and a nearly 30-year discography, it was inspiring to see families in the crowd—parents reliving the music of their youth while introducing their kids to what great rock really sounds like. The band kicked off their set with powerful guitar work and standout vocals from John Rzeznik, launching into ‘Naked’ and ‘Think About Me.’ The energy was electric—fans were on their feet, and even the security guards were singing along. As the band flowed into songs like ‘Miracle Pill’ and ‘So Alive,’ bassist Robby Takac and the touring members delivered mesmerizing performances, radiating an energy that had the entire crowd moving.
For fans of bands who have been releasing music for as long as the Goo Goo Dolls have, seeing them live in concert is beyond exhilarating—and hearing them perform old hits like ‘Lucky Star’ is an experience unlike any other. Rzeznik led the crowd through an acoustic set, sharing inspiring stories about his sobriety journey that led to the creation of ‘Symphony,’ with the lyrics echoing back from the audience. Rzeznik then shared how their first breakthrough hit, ‘Name,’ was born from not wanting to get a real job and nearly giving up on music. The performance began a cappella before being triumphantly joined by the rest of the band.
The band had a special surprise for the Nashville crowd; singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat joined the Goo Goo Dolls for a cover of Supertramp’s “Give a Little Bit”. Caillat toured with the band on her very first tour as a performing artist, so this reunion was especially meaningful—and incredibly exciting for the Colbie Caillat-loving city of Nashville. The band kicked into gear for the second half of their set with ‘Come to Me’—or, as Rzeznik called it, their ‘soupy love song’—along with ‘Ocean,’ showcasing insane stage presence and rock prowess. Concluding with powerful songs like “Run All Night” and “Better Days”, the band ended their set blazing.
But not before performing their most iconic song—and dare I say, one of the most iconic songs of all time—’Iris.’ Personally, I’ve seen many great songs performed live by many great bands, but I can wholeheartedly say I’ve never experienced the level of power and passion from both a band and an audience like I did during ‘Iris.’ It’s truly one of those songs that unites people through its lyrics and powerful music, and hearing it live was an experience unlike any other. Legendary performers and masters of rock, no one in that crowd will ever forget the Goo Goo Dolls.
Photos by Lillie Hollabaugh. All images © 2025 Copyright Lillie Hollabaugh. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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