Rob Thomas
The Forum, Melbourne
Thursday, November 30th
Rob Thomas is back in town after delivering a string of Australian shows with his Matchbox Twenty bandmates just last year. It’s been six years since the US frontman took his own tour on the road for Chip Tooth Smile. As you can imagine, Aussie fans have been eager to sink back into his extensive catalogue.
It’s an era of big milestones: the 20th anniversary of his triple platinum record, …Something to Be, plus next year marks 30 years since the release of Matchbox Twenty’s debut album, Yourself Or Someone Like You. Simultaneously, the release of his sixth studio album, All Night Days, marks the beginning of a new chapter. The album came together during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores themes of love, embracing the light and shade of life and reliving your youth.
The gracious 1920s charm of Melbourne’s Forum was the perfect setting for one of Thomas’ more intimate evenings. Melbourne alt-pop artist Shannen James received a warm reception for her set, especially for the moment where she performed a slow, considerate cover of Kylie Minogue’s “Love At First Sight”. “Superstitious”, a bright, hopeful track from her debut album, Patchwork, was a very enjoyable last song.
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As soon as Fontaines D.C’s “Starbuster” faded out, it was time for Thomas to take centre stage. He stepped out with his rolled black skirt, ‘Brooklyn’s Finest’ tee and well known stud earring that caught my eye straight away. The lighting and staging was modest, yet classic – it felt like the right fit for the nature of the show. Joining Thomas on stage was a band that had it all. All stations were covered, with an array of bass, drum, keyboard and saxophone players, plus his two backup singers.
The crew kicked off with “I Believe It”, a soulful track from his latest offering. Thomas’ second solo album, Cradlesong, receives the most love on the setlist, with high flyers like “Real World ‘09”, “Her Diamonds” and “Mockingbird” to follow suit. “Someday” was a wonderful singalong moment and a highlight of the evening.
With a few newer songs next in the mix, there was an inevitable lull in the crowd. But it wasn’t long until the energy built right back up. Nothing resonated with everyone more than the Matchbox Twenty hits. “If You’re Gone” was first out of the pack, followed by slower, stripped back versions of “3AM” and “Rest Stop”.
“Fire On The Mountain” was an unfamiliar song but ended up cutting deeper than expected. “Little Wonders” and “Lonely No More” were deeply appreciated. And that’s the beautiful thing about Thomas’ discography – it translates across generations. In a venue full of Gen X adults, there’s room for Millennials and Gen Z’s to hold their own connections to the music, with his work spanning over decades.
He packed a punch with the encore, which included two of his most popular tracks. The crowd was absolutely hooked in for “This Is How A Heart Breaks” and “Smooth”, his sizzling Grammy Award winning collaboration with Santana. Thomas’ live vocal delivery is warm, familiar and as endearing as you’d expect it to be. What really added to the fuzzy experience was witnessing his talented son Maison Thomas-Eudy on guitar. Even when no words were exchanged, it was a joy to watch the expressions shared between them. Rob’s face beamed with absolute pride and fulfillment.
