From: Neil

July 3, 1999
Shepard's Bush Empire
London, UK

It all started with a long wait at 6pm outside Shephards Bush Empire for the doors to open at 7pm and by the time I arrived at 6pm there was indeed a healthy looking queue developing. By the time the doors finally opened the queue was very long indeed and was going around the Ferkin Brewery and beyond.

Looking back at the Goo Goo Dolls previous visit to London at the University Of London it was clear that this venue selected was a step up for them. In fact a live performance on Friday 1 July on TFI Friday to plug their release of "Iris" could not have done them bad either and I believe their popularity is growing. I personally cannot understand why they have decided to release "Iris", taken from their current album "Dizzy Up The Girl", so late after the hit of the film City Of Angels. I think that error could cost them a top 10 place in the UK charts so I am guessing it`ll probably go in at around number 20 or so.

So to the gig in question and I guess it was no suprise that Flight 16 took stage first as they have been touring with the Goo Goo Dolls during their tour of America. They plugged their new, and currently only available, album for release on Monday 5th July and funny thing is so is the Goo Goo Dolls single "Iris". With the previous visit to London with the Goo Goo Dolls they got a much better reception than the last encounter at the University Of London.

Well I guess we all expected a big entrance for the Goo Goo Dolls and we were not disappointed and the reception the fans gave was simply electric. We were all treated to 14 fantastic songs which included "Full Forever", "Name", "Slide", "Dizzy", "Lazy Eye", "Broadway", "Iris", "Black Balloon", "Bullet Proof", "Hate This Place", "Naked", "Flat Top", "Impersonality" and finally "Girl Right Next To Me". Its always nice when half way through the gig Johnny Rzeznik takes time out to talk and interact with the crowd and it was nice to know how the song "Name", taken from the album "A Boy Named Goo" got him into so much trouble. Apparently it got him into more trouble than Marylin Manson did about you know what.

All through this gig was a constant stream of crowd surfers getting sent to the front where those pleasant bouncers/gaurds were waiting to take you away.....well for a warning anyway.

Its nice to see a number of bands who are huge in the US bring their talents to the UK with many groups looking good for success such as Semisonic, Matchbox 20 and of course the Goo Goo Dolls. I think many music lovers in the UK are looking towards the US for new, fresh music and they are indeed finding it.

Rock on Goo Goo Dolls !!!!