Review: Dogstar Rocks the Historic Ryman Auditorium with VIP Energy and Fan Favorites

As a magazine we are often asked to come and review shows, however, we are also fans that like to have the same experiences as other fans. So when the opportunity came to purchase a VIP Experience that included a meet and greet with the members of Dogstar, I did not hesitate. Being that the tickets went on sale right before my birthday for a show at The Ryman the night before my daughter’s birthday, it seemed written in the stars that we attend as a family. I am certainly glad we did.

The first time I personally got to see Dogstar perform live was on September 29, 1995 at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California, when they opened for the world-renowned rock band Bon Jovi. The excitement level more than 30 years ago was equally present today with my own daughter seeing them for the first time. Those moments will remain treasures for the rest of our lives.

Dogstar, the Los Angeles alternative rock trio of bassist Keanu Reeves, drummer Robert Mailhouse, and guitarist/lead vocalist Bret Domrose, formed in 1991 after a chance supermarket meeting between Reeves and Mailhouse over a shared love of hockey. After releasing two albums in the ’90s and early 2000s (Our Little Visionary and Happy Ending),  the band went on hiatus in 2002. They reunited in the early 2020s, returned with Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees in 2023, and followed it this year with their latest, All In Now. Their current All In Now Tour stop at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium felt like the perfect setting for this new chapter.

After checking into the VIP experience, we were ready to watch Bret, Rob, and Keanu take the stage for soundcheck—the energy was already high. When it came time for photos, Dogstar’s manager noted that individual shots were available playfully joking that the wives could have their own photo if they wanted. Of course I was going to take advantage of that, but I added a twist to it after getting permission to do so. First, my daughter took her picture, then I did, however, after taking ours, we went back to take a group photo during my husband's turn for a total of 3 cannot wait to see photos.  During our group photo I called out “Happy Birthday Bri,” and the guys lit up. Keanu replied with a warm “All right… Happy Birthday Bri!” It was a genuine, joyful exchange that set a special tone for the evening.

The Opening Act…

As soon as we sat down, the excitement only grew. From the minute The Backfires took the stage, we were captivated. The New York City rock band—originally formed in London in 2018 and made up of lead singer/guitarist Alex Gomez, lead guitarist Harry Ruprecht, bassist Matt Walter, and drummer Dylan Spiro—brought a fresh, energetic vibe with their transatlantic sound. The lead singer was dressed in denim screaming 1970s while delivering an outstanding vocal performance that no doubt garnered them new fans, us included. (Fun timing: their new album Stardust dropped today, August 7.) When they finished their set, the bass player handed over his set list—a thoughtful touch that added to the night’s celebratory feel.

The Main Event…

From the moment Dogstar took the stage, the crowd roared. The connection between the band and audience was unmistakable. Bret’s vocals were spot-on and sounded remarkably close to the recordings which is truly impressive. Rob’s ability to play the harmonica while drumming was both skillful and incredibly fun to watch. Keanu owned the bass, clearly thoroughly enjoying every second of making music, which was touching to witness alongside the countless warm, playful exchanges between him and Bret.

They delivered fan favorites from the previous album including “Glimmer” and “Dillon,” an encore of “Breach,” and did not disappoint on the new material, hitting tracks like “The Whisper” and “Shards of Rain.” When “The Whisper” kicked in, I threw my rocker hands toward Keanu and he lit up right back, locking eyes, bending down, and feeding off the energy almost as if we were dancing together from my seat. It was pure magic and a perfect reminder of how crowd energy feeds artists in real time. The whole night was filled with love and adoring fans.The meet and greet was extra special, with even better photo ops than before thanks to one of the best photographers on the planet, Branno Kent.

We walked away with huge smiles and memories that will never fade. If you are on the fence about attending a show near you, just go buy the ticket. I promise you that you will not regret it. Learn the music, sing along, and get ready to have one of the best nights in your life. ~Missy

Be sure to also check out their EP that just released on itunes Live At Apple Music Radio