Liz Baummer The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts has to be, hands down, one of the most stunning venues I’ve ever set foot in. Having never been there before, I had no idea how much of a treat I was in for on July 27, 2025. There’s only one word to describe it: breathtaking—utterly breathtaking. And it only got prettier as the sun set. The venue is what dreams are made of.
Picture this: a hill full of picnic blankets. At the bottom, a gorgeous light orangey-brown structure stands tall and open, with long pillars lining each side, allowing glimpses of the outdoors and sky. When you walk inside and look up, a balcony appears overhead. Step outside through any of the gaps between the pillars, and you’re met with trees and picnic tables. It truly feels like being in the middle of the woods—an astute observation, considering we literally were.
Such a beautiful venue paired with such a great artist is a match made in heaven. A good venue really does elevate an incredible performance.
Dashboard Confessional
After I finished marveling at the interior of the amphitheater, it was time for the opener, Dashboard Confessional, to take the stage. One of the best things about this venue—besides how stunning it is—is how chill the vibes are. Fans can bring in coolers with food and drinks, and everyone lounges peacefully. It honestly made each performance feel both grand and intimate at the same time.
With no photo pit between the stage and VIP, fans right up front got an up-close-and-personal experience. That has to be such a thrill—standing right there against the stage as your favorite artist performs. The fans definitely brought the energy for Dashboard Confessional. The venue was already packed, with the amphitheater filling up and fans stretched up the hill as far as the eye could see.
I love when there’s a strong overlap between the headliner’s and opener’s fanbases. It keeps the energy high all night and creates an electric buzz throughout the venue.
Photos by Liz Baummer. Copyright © 2025 Liz Baummer ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Goo Goo Dolls
During the brief break between the opener and headliner, fans took the time to enjoy the nature surrounding the venue. Another perk of Wolf Trap is that fans have beautiful scenery to soak in between sets. Even Mother Nature seemed to be brimming with anticipation for the Goo Goo Dolls—just 15 minutes before they took the stage, she bathed the sky in the most jaw-dropping shades of pink and orange as the sun set. And right as the sun dipped below the horizon, the Goo Goo Dolls lit up the stage, and fans immediately rose to their feet.
My favorite part was the way the Goo Goo Dolls played into the enthusiasm of the fans. On numerous occasions, they took the time to speak directly to the crowd, drawing them into their world by making them part of the performance. The most standout moment came during the song Black Balloon, when the audience was bouncing around black balloons in perfect sync with the music.
This thoughtfulness truly elevated a great performance into an unforgettable one. There’s no doubt that the Goo Goo Dolls are an incredibly talented band. They’ve been going strong since 1986—and that kind of longevity takes both talent and commitment. Even after all these years, their dedication to showcasing pure artistic talent live, along with the care they put into involving their fans during performances, proves exactly why the Goo Goo Dolls continue to reign supreme.
Another thing I love about the Goo Goo Dolls is their respect and love for both their old and new music. They played a mix of newer songs and some of their earliest hits—including my personal favorite, Iris (I mean, who doesn’t love Iris, come on). Ironically, the Goo Goo Dolls were the first band I ever photographed, almost six years ago—and it’s safe to say their performance hits just as hard now as it did back then. A band that can stand the test of time like that is simply unstoppable.
Photos by Liz Baummer. Copyright © 2025 Liz Baummer ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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