I dig Rob Thomas. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Matchbox 20. It was 1997, and from then I was hooked. I’ve seen them and Rob solo many times since and it’s so good to be back tonight at The Enmore to see him again. This is the third night of three just proving that he still has it here and I’m excited. So let’s see what the night has in store for us.
I have to say though, as an opener Fanny Lumsden was outstanding and did a brilliant job of warming the crowd up with her gateway country. It’s always a pleasure to see crowds reacting to a support in the way they did tonight.
As the house lights dim, Rob’s band hits the stage as the music begins before Rob walks on to thunderous applause before launching into ‘I Believe It’ and this band is on fire. That was a fun way to start, as the cheers ring before the groove of ‘Fallin’ To Pieces’ which keeps the smooth going. Not that smooth, I’m sure that’ll be later. What I love about seeing Rob Thomas is that this is a Rob Thomas gig, yes I know that sounds weird but what I mean is that this isn’t a Matchbox gig, this is him showcasing his amazing solo work that has spanned many years and it’s so good and ‘Can’t Help Me Now’ cements that, what a song. For the next two hours we are set in and we celebrate being human together and we are with you, Rob. He takes us into ‘Her Diamonds’ and this is a song that you forget just how good it is. Rob throws an acoustic on and we get a deep cut with ‘Not Just a Woman’ which was a nice surprise. The set continues and these songs are just perfect for the stage and this is just a night we need. ‘Heaven Help Me’ keeps the vibe vibing, then as the drums kick in we rock things up a little with ‘Mockingbird’ and what a song. That’s my fave of the night so far. This man can write a hook and that one has more than a bait and tackle shop.
Time to hit up some Matchbox Twenty. After telling us next year is their 30th anniversary and my knees instantly begin to hurt more, they kick into ‘If You’re Gone’ and I’m glad we’re getting some MB20 love tonight. What a song and what a version. To his newest album and the happiest song ever called ‘Hard To Be Happy’ then the keys start ‘Someday’ and I’ve always loved this song and tonight it delivered. This band is insanely good. Up next a happy song about death and it actually is, but ‘Getting Late’ this slower one helped break up the set nicely as it took on more of that country twang and it works. The band play this one out before jumping into ‘That’s Alright’. Mason riffs into the rockier ‘…Something To Be’ and that is made for the stage. The piano wheels to the front of the stage and a story about his dog which turns out to be ‘Little Wonders’ and what a big one that is. He said he may be a bit hoarse tonight but you’d never know as he’s belting these songs out.
Majority of the band leave the stage as they give us an amazing acoustic version of ‘Ever The Same’ and wow. Now we head way way back to the brilliant ‘3 AM’ and what a version. What made it better was an unexpected Saxophone. I never knew this song needed sax until now and I can never listen to it again without it. Thanks Rob. Things pick up a bit with ‘Streetcorner Symphony’ with band introductions before kicking it back in to round out the song. I think we’re heading towards to pointy end of the set as ‘Lonely No More’ starts and the instant reaction of the crowd was great. What a song. ‘I Am an Illusion’ rounds out the main set as the band play them off. A quick rest before returning…
‘All Night Days’ kicks the encore off and what a tune and great way to hit us with the title track of his newest album. Oh wow it’s been a while since I’ve heard Rob do ‘Let’s Dance’ and it suits him so well and some amazing band work jams this one out. This band is insane. ‘Smooth’ is finally up and as you’d expect this is a big one, crowd sings along and the band nail it. What a song. As Rob said there’s two people in the world who should sing this song and he’s one of them. Closing the set with ‘This Is How A Heart Breaks’ is the only way this could end, it’s loud, it’s hooky, it’s a perfect song to keep that energy up and leave the crowd wanting more… but after just over two hours Rob and his band delivered a set that was a showcase of what this man can do. He’s an artist and these songs prove it.
Thanks Rob for an awesome night out to just enjoy music and enjoy life.
Essential Information
Venue The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Date November 5, 2025
Presented by TEG Van Egmond
Website http://www.robthomasmusic.com
Support Fanny Lumsden
Set List:
I Believe It
Fallin’ to Pieces
Can’t Help Me Now
Her Diamonds
Not Just a Woman
Heaven Help Me
Mockingbird
If You’re Gone
Hard to Be Happy
Someday
Getting Late
…Something to Be
Little Wonders
Ever the Same
3 AM
Streetcorner Symphony
Lonely No More
I Am an Illusion
All Night Days
Let’s Dance
Smooth
This Is How a Heart Breaks
