RECAP: GOO GOO DOLLS BRING THEIR CANADA SPRING TOUR TO ROGERS FORUM

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On March 20, 2026, the Goo Goo Dolls brought their Canada Spring 2026 Tour to the Rogers Forum in Abbotsford, BC, marking the band’s first-ever performance in the city. While it may have been a debut for Abbotsford, it was far from unfamiliar territory for the band, as this marked their 16th appearance across British Columbia. Their history in the province stretches back nearly four decades, dating to their first West Coast visit on May 9, 1988, at Club Soda. Fresh off the tour kickoff the night prior in Victoria, the band arrived in the Fraser Valley carrying that same momentum.

John Rzeznik performing live during the Goo Goo Dolls Abbotsford concert at Rogers Forum.

Photos by Tage Stenner / Backspin HQ

Right on time at 9:00 PM, the band took the stage with ‘Naked’, immediately establishing a clear and focused presentation. The stage design was simple but deliberate, allowing each member to occupy their own space while keeping the visual emphasis locked at centre stage. John Rzeznik stood front and centre in front of a large backdrop, with Mike Malinin elevated behind him on a riser. Robby Takac held down one side of the stage opposite Brad Fernquist, while Jim McGorman was positioned just off-centre on keys.

The opening stretch moved quickly, flowing from ‘Naked’ into ‘Slide’ before landing on ‘Big Machine’, which served as the first pause in the night. Rzeznik took a moment to address the crowd, acknowledging the unique nature of the stop. “It’s been a while since we’ve been here,” he said, before catching himself with a grin. “Well, not sure if we’ve been here before.” The distinction was not lost on the audience, and when he followed it up by asking, “I hear this is called the Fraser Valley?” which set of the crowed with cheers.

That connection carried throughout the set, with Rzeznik returning between songs to share stories and observations. At one point, he spoke about their Buffalo roots, joking that they were essentially “Canadian, but with guns,” before adding that moving north might not be the worst idea given everything happening right now. It was a lighthearted comment, but it landed in a way that felt genuine.

Goo Goo Dolls performing on stage with blue-lit backdrop displaying large text. Singer with guitar, drummer, and keyboardist. Energetic mood.

Musically, the setlist moved with intention, never feeling rushed or overly reliant on a single era. ‘Think About Me’ and ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ kept the early momentum intact, while ‘Black Balloon’ and ‘Here Is Gone’ brought a familiarity that the crowd responded to instantly. Songs like ‘Smash’ and ‘Stay With You’ maintained that pace, while ‘Feel the Silence’ and ‘Miracle Pill’ subtly shifted the tone without losing engagement. Rather than separating older material from newer releases, the band wove everything together in a way that felt natural, highlighting how their sound has evolved without disconnecting from what came before.

The middle of the set introduced a quieter stretch, giving the arena space to settle into the performance. ‘Sympathy’ stripped things back, creating a more intimate atmosphere that contrasted with the earlier run of songs. ‘Name’ stood out as one of the most effective transitions of the night, beginning with just the first verse and chorus in an acoustic format before the full band returned to carry it through. That gradual build gave the song a different weight, reminding the audience why it marked such a turning point in the band’s career when it first broke through in the mid-90s.

From there, the show built back up with ‘Over and Over’, ‘Ocean’, and ‘Come to Me’, reintroducing a fuller sound as the set moved toward its closing stretch. The pacing remained steady, with ‘Run All Night’, ‘Life’s a Message’, and ‘Bringing On the Light’ showcasing newer material without disrupting the overall flow. ‘Not Goodbye (Close My Eyes)’ in particular stood out as a clear bridge between eras, tying their current work into a set that still leaned heavily on decades of music.

John Rzeznik with guitar performs energetically on stage, arms raised. Orange and black backdrop with large text. Drummer plays in the background.

As the night pushed toward its final moments, ‘Better Days’ and ‘Broadway’ set up the closing sequence, with the latter including full band introductions that gave each member their moment. By the time the final song arrived, the outcome felt inevitable. As soon as the opening notes of ‘Iris’ rang out, the entire Rogers Forum sang along. Voices filled the arena from front to back, with flashlights and lighters, turning the performance into something shared rather than performed, making it the biggest moment of the night.

As the Canada Spring 2026 Tour rolls on, the band heads further east to bring their "real music" experience to fans across the Prairies and Ontario. The journey continues in Kelowna at Prospera Place, followed by high-profile arena stops in Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon. If the energy in Abbotsford was any indication, fans across the rest of the provinces are in for a masterclass in alternative rock excellence.

Upcoming Goo Goo Dolls Tour Dates

March 22, 2026 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
March 23, 2026 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
March 25, 2026 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
March 26, 2026 – Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Centre
March 28, 2026 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre
March 30, 2026 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON @ GFL Memorial Gardens
April 01, 2026 – Oshawa, ON @ Tribute Communities Centre
April 02, 2026 – Hamilton, ON @ TD Coliseum
April 04, 2026 – London, ON @ Canada Life Place
April 06, 2026 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
April 08, 2026 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
April 10, 2026 – Halifax, NS @ Scotiabank Centre
April 11, 2026 – Moncton, NB @ Avenir Centre

Gallery

John Rzeznik plays guitar, singing on stage with blue backdrop. Colorful mic stand, casual attire, spotlighting, energetic concert vibe.

Goo Goo Dolls Drummer and guitarist perform energetically onstage with blue backdrop and stage lights illuminating the scene at Rogers Forum Abbotsford.

John Rzeznik passionately plays guitar on stage with vibrant purple lighting. Energetic performance, colorful mic stand, large letters in background.

John Rzeznik plays guitar energetically on stage with purple lights and cheering crowd. A stool and water bottle are visible in the background.

John Rzeznik performs energetically on stage with purple lighting. Large text backdrop. Crowd silhouettes in foreground. Vibrant and dynamic.

John Rzeznik on stage performing in front of a cheering crowd. Red and black background with large text. Drum set visible. Mood is lively.

Goo Goo Dolls performing on stage in Abbotsford at Rogers Forum with purple backdrop reading "goo". Guitarist in center, drummer and keyboardist, energetic crowd in foreground.

John Rzeznik playing guitar on stage under blue lights, with a drummer in the background. Large letters form the backdrop, creating a lively atmosphere.

FAQ: Goo Goo Dolls Abbotsford Review & Highlights

Was this the first time the Goo Goo Dolls played in Abbotsford?

Yes! While the band has performed 16 times in British Columbia since 1988, the March 20, 2026, show at Rogers Forum was their official Abbotsford debut.

What were the key songs in the Goo Goo Dolls Abbotsford setlist?

The set was a comprehensive journey through their hits, including "Slide," "Name," "Black Balloon," and the newer hit "Not Goodbye (Close My Eyes)." The night concluded with a massive singalong to "Iris."

Did John Rzeznik perform any acoustic songs?

He did. The middle of the set featured a stripped-back section including "Sympathy," as well as a hybrid acoustic-to-full-band version of the 1995 hit "Name."