If there’s one thing the Goo Goo Dolls know how to do, it’s deliver a show that hits you straight in the feels — and that’s exactly what went down at Audacy’s 12th Annual We Can Survive concert at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ last Friday (September 26).
The night, which raised funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as part of Audacy’s “I’m Listening” mental health initiative, featured an epic lineup including Ed Sheeran, Alex Warren, Shaboozey, and of course, rock icons John Rzeznik and Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls.
Backstage with Celeb Secrets, the band was as candid and charming as ever, even poking fun at the idea of having ~hidden talents.~ “We wear our hearts on our sleeves,” Takac laughed. “No hidden talents here.”
But when it came to taking the stage, they left it all out there. Their eleven-song set was a nostalgia-packed dream, running through fan-favorite anthems like “Slide,” “Black Balloon,” “Broadway,” and, of course, “Iris” — which, by the way, just hit #9 on Spotify’s Global Daily Chart nearly 30 years after its release. (Iconic behavior.)
When asked how they decide what to play on a night like this, Rzeznik told Celeb Secrets, “It’s hard, ‘cause we’ve had a really long career. At a show like this, you’ve got 40, 45 minutes — you play all the songs everybody knows, and you throw a couple new ones in. But, you know… we’re entertainers.”
And entertain they did. From the first chord of “Stay With You” to the emotional swell of “Iris,” the Goo Goo Dolls reminded the sold-out crowd why they’re one of the most enduring acts in alt-rock history. Rzeznik’s vocals still cut deep, Takac’s energy was contagious, and the band’s chemistry radiated through the Prudential Center.
The performance also marked another milestone in what’s been a banner year for the band. Fresh off their sold-out Summer Anthem Tour with Dashboard Confessional, the duo recently dropped their latest project, the Summer Anthem EP — a dynamic collection produced by Gregg Wattenberg and Grant Michaels that captures the warmth, grit, and timeless storytelling fans love.
“We didn’t even get to finish it,” Rzeznik teased about the EP. “There’s a whole pile of songs that still need to be worked out… hopefully we’ll get back to them and then go on another tour.”
Beyond the music, the Goo Goo Dolls’ appearance at We Can Survive hit close to home, aligning with their own emphasis on staying grounded and mentally healthy while living life on the road.
“I have my therapist on speed dial,” Rzeznik joked, before turning serious. “We try to stay focused, stay healthy, exercise, sleep… you just do what you can.”
“You’ve got to be able to talk to the people around you,” Takac added. “You’re always surrounded by people, but you can still feel really isolated. We try to have breakfast together in the mornings — something that’s not just work.”
Those small rituals — and a dash of humor — are part of what keep the Goo Goo Dolls connected to each other and to the fans who’ve been singing their lyrics for decades.
From the heart-on-sleeve sincerity of their We Can Survive set to the unstoppable momentum of “Iris” finding new life on TikTok, the Goo Goo Dolls are living proof that good songs (and good souls) never go out of style.
You can watch our full interview with the Goo Goo Dolls below and don’t forget to let us know if you love their music by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
Interview quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity. For more coverage from Audacy events, click here.
