Dashboard Confessional Steals the Spotlight From Goo Goo Dolls at Dickies Arena

On Wednesday, July 16, Fort Worth's Dickies Arena was filled with nostalgia and anticipation as generations gathered to relive—or perhaps discover—the anthems that defined their lives.

The Summer Anthem Tour featuring the Goo Goo Dolls and Dashboard Confessional promised to be a celebration of heartfelt lyrics, ageless melodies and the interplay of past and present. While both bands gave their all, it was clear from the outset that Dashboard Confessional emerged as the night’s true hero.

Dashboard Confessional's Opening Set Felt Limitless

Dashboard Confessional’s hour-long set opened like a fireworks display, captivating the eager crowd before the sparks even began to fade. The stage was alight with energy as Chris Carrabba and his band took their places, launching into “Don’t Wait” with precision and heart. From that moment, the audience was enveloped in a wave of connection and authenticity that lasted until their final strummed chord.

Carrabba’s voice was nothing short of astonishing, carrying the same crystalline purity and emotional depth that rocketed the band to fame over two decades ago. His vocals haven’t aged a day, soaring effortlessly from delicate whispers to full-throated fervor. "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" and "Saints and Sailors" saw his voice dance over the crowd, an instrument as finely tuned as the guitars that intertwined around him. Between songs, Carrabba exuded a warm, unguarded charisma, sharing personal anecdotes and captivating the audience with his genuine joy.

At one point, he paused before the wistful “Remember to Breathe,” recounting a fateful NYC party and a kiss with a girl from Dallas. “You know what this reminds me of?” pausing for dramatic effect. “This reminds me of a party I was at. It's back in New York City. I kissed this girl from Dallas, Texas, and she said, ‘Chris...’” He dropped straight into the lyrics with a playful scream of “it's going to be alright,” to the delighted roar of fans.

Beyond Carrabba’s charm was the band’s solid cohesion and spirited interplay. Whether sharing spotlight moments during “Screaming Infidelities” or pouring emotion into the blissful “Stolen,” Dashboard Confessional felt like a unit of old friends who still get an inexplicable thrill playing together. Even songs less familiar to the audience sparked light, thanks to the sincerity in their delivery. By the time “Hands Down” closed their set, the crowd was practically vibrating with collective catharsis.

Goo Goo Dolls Light Up Dickies Arena, Stretches Thin

Stepping into the headlining performance, Goo Goo Dolls brought forth their iconic catalog and more than a little drama. Anticipation buzzed among the settled crowd, which had grown to a lively mix of 30-somethings reliving their youth, older fans introducing their kids to legendary tunes, and a sprinkling of first-timers clutching their newly purchased merch—those cassette-tape-themed tees were an undeniable hit.

John Rzeznik, the group’s charismatic frontman, took to the stage with his characteristic slightly raspy voice unscathed by years of touring. Classics like “Slide” and “Black Balloon” played early on, keeping the arena brimming with sentimental energy. The black balloons drifting through the crowd during the latter added a tangible flourish to the moment. Rzeznik’s vocal delivery was rich and moving, making it clear why their songs still carry resonance after decades.

However, as the evening wore on, moments of awkwardness seeped into the performance. Between songs, Rzeznik’s crowd interactions occasionally veered into strange territory. After “Acoustic #3,” he quipped, “That song makes me want to kill myself,” sparking a ripple of whispered “wait, what?” among the audience.

Before launching into the acoustic tune “Sympathy” from his 2002 album Gutterflower, he dropped a few f-bombs while joking about the pressure of not messing up the song. Laughing, he wisecracked, “There’s going to be 90 people on the internet saying, ‘he said the f-word a lot,’ and I’m going to be like, go listen to fucking Sabrina Carpenter. Jesus Christ, man.” Realizing he may have crossed a line, he quickly backtracked, both before and after the song, adding, “I’m sorry, she’s very talented. I just don’t want my eight-year-old daughter listening to that.” It was an odd, self-aware moment, though his comment about Carpenter’s music not being for kids felt a bit misplaced—it was clearly meant in jest.

While Rzeznik’s voice and earnest effort held their magic throughout the nearly two-hour set, a certain fatigue set in as newer, less memorable material filled out the track list. The thematically heavy-handed lyrics of “Run All Night” epitomized the issue, leaving some fans checking their phones during its runtime.

The sound, lights and stage visuals, featuring long, icicle-like structures, added brightness without necessarily commanding attention. Though the Goo Goo Dolls elicited a sense of nostalgia, the pacing and engagement paled compared to Dashboard Confessional's set.

Wednesday Night of Contrasts

Overall, the Summer Anthem Tour at Dickies Arena offered a night of meaningful moments and generational sing-alongs. Dashboard Confessional, with their tight-knit performance and heartfelt vulnerability, reminded everyone why their music is cherished. Carrabba’s magnetic presence left an impression of deep gratitude, as he earnestly thanked the crowd for sustaining them over the years, claiming, “Thanks for making us feel like heroes or whatever.”

The Goo Goo Dolls, though undeniably iconic, faltered in keeping their storytelling side as sharp as their sound. Rzeznik’s occasional verbal stumbles and the overlong set diluted what could have otherwise been a flawlessly nostalgic finish to the evening.

Still, for those who came seeking anthems of love and identity or simply a reason to exhale in the glow of shared music, the night more than delivered. But ultimately, it was Dashboard Confessional that stole the show, delivering an electrified dose of soul, sincerity and all the hits that will keep fans coming back for more.