O.A.R.

Dispatch was the highlight of the event. OAR didn’t play any of their hits (no old classics) and the show was a disappointment tbh.

Goo Goo Dolls / O.A.R.: 8/1/23 “The time has come to for me to move into the 90’s as I continue my 2023 mini-tour beginning with Better Than Ezra and moving into Goo Goo Dolls, O.A.R., Smashing Pumpkins, 3 Doors Down, Candlebox, Shinedown, Papa Roach, and Jimmy Eat World. Back in January entering a LIVE NATION contest I won two general admission lawn seats for ‘The Big Night Out Tour’ which began last Monday in Tampa and ends in September in Irvine CA. The Simpsonville Heritage Park date was the 6th of a 31 date cross country trek and my first time seeing either band LIVE. My first thought was with the addition of 2,300 brand new reserved seats to the park how far would General Admission Lawn now be pushed back? That still remains to be experienced. As I presented my tickets at the gate I explained that they were L.N. comps and could they upgrade me to reserved. After inquiring my last name the ticket agent said, ‘Dave come around the corner and we’ll print you up two in section seventeen’ at no charge! The evening itself featured ideal weather for an outdoor event, sunny and 88° at gates open with a brilliant of orange/red super moon rising at the right side of the stage about 9:30 p.m. O.A.R. from Rockville MD (a contraction for ‘Of A Revolution’) were scheduled to open at 7 p.m. coming in with all four original members since 1996: Marc Roberge (vocals), Richard On (guitars), Benj Gershman (bass), and Chris Culos (drums). The band with 10 studio albums and 12 charted singles from ’97-’22 is well known for their live performances spawning six live albums. Goo Goo Dolls from Buffalo NY with 14 studio albums and 16 charted singles features John Rzeznik on lead vocals/guitar with Robby Takac on bass/vocals since the very beginning in 1986. The three additional band members are considered touring musicians. Upon entrance my eyes were immediately drawn to the stage. The back drop was set up as a checkerboard of mini square screens four layers high, between each screen were two spotlights facing outward towards the audience. Four layers of lighting were rigged on either side of the stage with three lateral stage length riggings above the checkerboard pattern. Abstract images, patterns, and colors would be broadcast on the squares during the performances however there were no actual video screens. With the direct sun shining on the stage silver tarps covered the bands equipment right up untill showtime. As the sun made it’s way just above the horizon behind a diffusion of clouds the tarps were removed revealing a very basic floor set with the exception of the drumhead which showcased a gorgeous sky scene with a skeleton surfing the clouds and the wording ‘.….of a Revolution. At 7:15 p.m. O.A.R. took the stage for a 15 song / 1 1/2 hour set beginning with ‘About Mr. Brown’ from their self released debut album followed by ‘Lay Down’ a released and uncharted single. Aside from a handful of known charted singles that pattern continued which is the beauty of an O.A.R. show, you never know what you are going to get —no two shows are identical. The evening featured the longest set of the tour thus far with each song noticeably building upon each other —a musical masterpiece. Not waiting till the very end, the third song in was their highest charted single #2 ‘Shattered (Turn the Car Around)’. Marc addressed the crowd, ‘We started out a when we were kids in the neighborhood, our first show was the eighth grade talent show and we moved on from there to the cafeteria at school… and now we get to be out here on tour with The Goo Goo Dolls man, so thank you guys so much for having us.’ A back-to-back trio of hits, ‘Love And Memories’, ‘I Go Through’ and ‘Heaven’ were inserted mid-set keeping the momentum going before the band dove into even more obscure territory. ‘Heaven’ featured Jerry DePizzo with some spiced up saxophone work, and ‘Hey Girl’ featured the Cuatro (a viola shape guitar with strings like a mandolin). ‘We’re gonna need your singing tonight you know that right? Don’t be shy, if you don’t know the words make ‘em up, I do it all the time I did it seven minutes ago and nobody knew.’ Well everyone knew the next one, ‘Peace’ and everyone sang along! Moving through a cover of Bob Marley’s ’Stir It Up’ a fan called out ‘This Town’ as a request. ‘Someone had a well timed request by a gentleman out there “Was that you?” and totally we’re gonna change the set list for it because I respect your timing and your volume was good too!’ Performed in similar reggae beat it fit in perfectly just as if it had been planned. ‘That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker’ completed the set with fans tossing playing cards in the air and singing along, ‘and I said, how 'bout a revolution? and he said right.’ Aside from the fact that the set was played in direct daylight (which can be a detractor) it was near perfect! With a half hour set change and the moon not yet risen, it was 9:05 and completely dark as John Rzeznik 57 hopped across to center stage with guitar in hand wearing a walking boot mumbling, ‘I f***ed up my foot’. Who saw that coming! Opening with 2000’s ‘Broadway’ the band performed a staggering 24 song / one hour and forty minute set. With a ‘It’s nice to be here and everyone in South Carolina is pretty that’s all I know’ and ‘Come on put ‘em up, come on’ John addressed the crowd taking it all in stride. Third song in, their #1 ‘Slide’ got not only hands but all the bodies up as well. Rzeznik seated a top a large road case where he would remain all evening continued as he introduced ‘Big Machine’, ‘Okay so thank you for understanding umm this show will probably be light on the shenanigans.’ ‘Alright let’s keep going.’ Each song brought out their tech center stage delivering a different guitar to John. Known for their different tunings, it was completely necessary. We could see the guitar rack all the way stage right —there had to be two dozen instruments in the waiting! ‘You guys all know this one’, it was ‘Black Balloons’ with fan inflated black balloons quickly being hoisted into the air. The staged turned to Robby as John informed us in jest, ‘I’m going to sit this out’. Takac in his energizing and head banging purple haired kind of way rasped out the 1998’s ‘January Friend’ bringing on a whole new energy level. It wouldn’t be the only song of the evening for Robby, he also sang ‘Lucky Star’ from ‘Superstar Car Wash’. Finally explaining the situation at hand John enlightened us, ‘This is what happened, okay we were playing last night and then I just walked off the stage and went “OW” and then a I have this ridiculous looking thing on’. Moving ever so slightly he turned slightly stage right and said, ‘I’m gonna work this side of the room a little’ then introducing 2019’s ‘Miracle Pill’ he exclaimed ‘I could use a whole bottle of these right now. I’m gonna eat the whole bottle here we go.’ Fact of the matter is that wasn’t entirely true, Rzeznik the former Next Great American Band judge has been in recovery since 2014. He stripped things back a bit acoustically beginning with a piano driven rendition of ’Sympathy’ followed by an appearance from ‘Tapey’ a forty year old tape recorder. Wheeling out the large open reeled machine on a rolling case with TAPEY spray painted on the front he performed a tour debut of ‘Lost’. John invited a nineteen year old fan holding a sign (unreadable to the audience behind him) on stage for the #2’ Name’ and gave him a guitar. ‘I have a feeling I’m gonna regret this. You’re serious you know how to play this? Ladies and Gentleman it’s Jake, alright Jake take it away’. It was just Jake and John and they began the song playing it phenomenally in its original tuning to the cheer of the audience. The band coming back on stage joined in for the finish. ‘I ain’t paying you’ John assured him as the audience shouted out ‘JAKE, JAKE, JAKE!’ An additional half dozen songs rounded out the regular set ending with the hits ‘Better Days’ and ‘Stay With You’. For the encore they simply stayed on stage. ‘I ain’t hobbling off my gimpy a** all the way over there so “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s the Goo Goo Dolls again!”’ The band brought Marc Roberge from O.A.R. back on stage for a cover of Petty’s ‘I Won't Back Down’ recently released just this year as a non-album single. With a final ‘I wanna thank you guys again for being with us you kept this band alive for a long time, thank you’, the evening concluded with 1998’s #1 ‘Iris’. As the chorus repeated over again and again ‘I just want you to know who I am’ the crowd began to make their exit the out the main gates, hearts full and spirit’s high!” Review and photo by DAve (Concerts #805, 806)

OAR was great as usual. Set to short and I'm not used to seeing them co headline. The Dispatch fans near us were very rude and talked through the e tire set. We left after OAR

Loved Every minute of this concert. I also picked up a playing card as well. Would definitely recommend these guys. They sound really good live.

O.A.R. Is always amazing! This was my first time at The Anthem & I loved the venue. It’s in a great location. Lots of fun!

Amazing show. Good mix of old hits and new ones. Haven’t heard Mr. Brown live in awhile. The added trumpet from John, with Jerry’s powerful solo’s made it a special night. They played it like a home game and the crowd appreciated it.

Great intimate venue. Very laid back. Bring your own chairs and coolers. Sound was very good. The band was on fire and brought out some great special guests like Caleb Chapman and Stephen Kellogg. Extremely clean and beautiful views. So glad I made the trip from New York. OAR never disappoints

It’s always awesome to spend an evening with O.A.R. But to see them at Red Rocks, it’s even more special. I feel lucky to have been there for such a special show.

OAR played a great set! The sound was a little too high in the treble end, but overall it was a great show!!

Second time I have seen them and they were AWESOME! Never disappointed! Great sound and performance. Opener Matt Nathanson was great as well

Really cool actually. At first I though they would flub an all acoustic set, but they came prepared and made it a special show. Bravo

O. A. R. put on an amazing show lastnight! They played all of everyone's favorite songs and then some! Great concert!! I would definitely pay to see hem again!!!

Amazing night. My friends and I danced the entire time. Took tons of pictures. This was actually the first time I ever heard or seen OAR but my sister in law loves them. I am so waiting to see and meet them again when they come back to Peoria.

The show was fantastic. The venue becomes poor when they sell out though. VIP section was the furthest from the restrooms. Bar lines were long. Going to stick to shows with assigned seating.

Absolutely an amazing solo acoustic show by Marc! Energy, passion and voice were incredible. Of the 30+ O.A.R. shows I've seen over 12 years, this may be my favorite show. Classic jams, storytelling, crowd engagement. ... amazing! Thank you!

OAR always gives their all. They are the best. Having Alan Stone tour with them was totally awesome. Then when Zamora came out it went down as the best concert ever.

one of the best live shows I have EVER been to. I can not wait to see OAR live again. incredible show!

Awesome night for outdoor music in Minneapolis! O.A.R. played a solid set with a good mixture from their catalogue. Played for about 1hr 15 mins due to the "festival" type show/line-up. Thankful and grateful for them to make another stop in the Twin Cities this year (4th time in about 4 months). However, we need a proper tour stop!

I absolutely loved every second of it, OAR showed that they still have their old vibe and are able to also be more serious.

Great show! Of the four times we have seen thrm, this was by far their best show! Definitely a show worth seeing.