There aren’t many reasons to go outside in Phoenix in June, but thousands of fans brave the heat every summer to see their favorites rock the amphitheater at Ak-Chin Pavilion. Usually the site of country concerts, the venue hosted Train and Goo Goo Dolls on Wednesday night to the delight of fans old and new.
With careers spanning multiple decades, both bands have seen their fair share of commercial success, especially evident in setlists that ran like Greatest Hits albums. Fans sang along, filling the pavilion with their voices that seemed to banish the hot, stuffy air.
The Goo Goo Dolls took the opportunity to explain songs for attendees who had maybe never seen them before, letting them reminisce about the many adventures they’ve had together. Even ordinary moments like being too high (the basis of “Sympathy”) or sitting on a dirty couch and realizing there are better things to do (“Name”) spurred some of their best work.
Train similarly expressed gratitude and amazement for the life that music has provided for them. In a crowd that skewed over 40, it was especially poignant to reflect with appreciation and honesty. Frontman Pat Monahan was all smiles, hijacking the videographer’s camera and panning over the audience, “Look at you! You’re beautiful!”
The feel-good atmosphere and easy listening marked the true kickoff of summer, and Atlas was there to capture it all.
Check out more photos from the show below!
Story and photos by Taylor Gilliam
