We’ve all had those bands that have crossed our paths and changed our lives. They provided the soundtrack for pivotal moments, and made us feel less alone in our darkest hour. For me that band is Matchbox Twenty.
I’ve seen them live more times than I remember, but I love them just as much as I ever did. I’m not the angsty teenager I was when they first turned my head, but as their music’s evolved they’ve remained just as relevant to me. And so my excitement was at fever pitch as I headed to the Sydney Entertainment Centre last Tuesday.
I’m ashamed to admit that I missed Evermore’s set, preferring instead to catch up with an old friend over red wine at the Holiday Inn across the road. We took our seats somewhere near the start of INXS’s set. I’d hoped to catch the entire thing, but I soon decided I hadn’t missed much.
INXS are undoubtedly one of Australia’s most enduring rock acts. They have created some of the world’s best pop rock anthems, and they sound just as tight as ever. Yet the parade of lead singers that have fronted the band in recent years has really let them down. Watching newbie Ciaran Gribbin prowl around the stage, I’m still not convinced they’ve got the mix right.
It’s not that Ciaran is a bad frontman, but his voice is pretty unremarkable. His stage manner also feels really derivative. At times it felt he was simply emulating the singers that came before, and I cringed when he thrust his face close to those of the girls in the front row. There can be a fine line between sexy and creepy, and he definitely crossed it. Some of the songs, including my favourite “Never Tear Us Apart” also felt overblown and cheesy. I still found myself compelled to get to my feet and dance around on a few occasions, but that can be attributed to the strength of the songs rather than the performance.
The night predictably took a turn for the better when Matchbox Twenty stepped out on stage. They opened with “Parade,” just as their new album North does, a reminder that they wouldn’t just rest on the hits of the past. However it wasn’t long before those familiar tunes came out to, to rapturous applause.
Matchbox Twenty did a great job of pleasing all their fans, with a set which drew from their entire back catalogue. I was thrilled to see them celebrating not just the singles but other strong album songs like More Than You Think You Are’s hidden track “So Sad So Lonely” and my latest favourite “Our Song.” The delicate “I Will” was gorgeous, and I couldn’t help wiping away tears as they performed “Push,” the first Matchbox song that touched me all those years ago. While I adore Rob Thomas, it was also exciting to see him stepping down from vocal duties for Kyle Cook’s shining moment, “The Way.” INXS returned for the final song, a cover of “Good Times,” an appropriate number considering the smiles on all the musicians’ faces.
This isn’t a night I can write about with any sense of impartiality. Seeing my favourite band is always something so special. I danced until my feet were sore, sang until my voice was hoarse, and marvelled at the magic that always comes when I spend time in the presence of this incredible band. Above all, their set was a set that made me feel. Rob Thomas has a way of making you forget that he’s sung many of these songs for more than a decade. He leaves his heart on the stage. His passion and charisma move you, and he’s only enhanced by his stellar band. And that is why I keep coming back. That is why Matchbox Twenty is my favourite band.
Image source: own photos