Buffalo Riverworks was proud to host and present STAR 102.5’s Deck the Hall Ball. Headliners were none other than Buffalos Goo Goo Dolls as well as Rob Thomas, Dean Lewis an opener. This concert sold out fairly quickly after its announcement and by the time Goo Goo Dolls were on stage every square inch of that building was packed!!! These two acts together really are a massive crowd draw and between the both of them packed with hits and number one chart toppers it is easy to see why!
Rob Thomas was shadowed with singing from the crowd the whole set. His hits are widely enjoyed by all and easily a tune you can usually catch walking into any retail store in America. Playing his solo hits such as “Her Diamonds”, “Someday” and “Mockingbird”. Also playing acoustic renditions of Matchbox 20 wonders such as “3am” and “Unwell”. When you hear Rob perform live you, it sounds like the audio rendition in the sense that his vocals are just on point and so strongly recognizable. He delivered a great setlist which naturally had to include “New York City Christmas”. The holiday vibes were being felt with the lavishly huge tree near the stair case and the greenery with lights draping the perimeter of the second floor balcony. I personally was pretty excited to see Rob Thomas live, been listening to him since the 90s and after a little and his showmanship with talents just made for a great stage show.
Goo Goo Dolls met the spotlight with loud cheers and clap backs. These guys are stacked with knockout songs and their set list didn’t disappoint. From all the classics “Slide”, “Name”, “Iris”, to their newest of hits such as “Miracle Pill”, “Indestructible” and “Autumn Leaves”. When “Black Balloons” was being played, a huge magnitude of black balloons fell onto the crowd. They bounced around for quite frankly until the crowd was blasted with confetti at the end. This band has such a solid, strong fan base and not just from this general area they clearly have paved a strong path in the mainstream and on. Even if you don’t realize it, it is hard not to know a Goo Goo Dolls song. They are really an energetic stage presence as well as fun crowd bantering, I would highly encourage seeing them live. At the end of the show the big screen in the main floor area of Buffalo Riverworks was turned onto the Buffalo Bills game and we were able to witness more local love and awesomeness with the Bills clenching a playoff spot. It truly felt like a night of Buffalo love and wins all around. It is looking like the Buffalo Bills are finally seeing “Better Days”.
