Concert Review: A Holiday Show with Rob Thomas

Playing this year's Mix Christmas show was singer-songwriter Rob Thomas. Mix has always put together a solid lineup for this fun holiday show. 2014 featured Train at the Mahaffey Theatre, reviewed in full here. This year they nabbed Thomas and fellow 90's veterans Third Eye Blind. The venue was bumped up to Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

I know Thomas best through his work as the front man of Matchbox Twenty. Rob acknowledged this side project, citing that he has the best gig in the world in his free time, and promised that his original band would be back around. Many fans in attendance clearly came to hear Matchbox tunes, and were rewarded with both greatest hits '3 AM' and 'Unwell.'

While opening band Third Eye Blind (seeing them for the 2nd night in a row....Night 1 review here) stated that they are far from a Christmas band, Rob stated that he's the exact opposite. Thomas explained this was his favorite time of year, and performed 'New York Christmas' as a tribute. Rob wrote this song in fall of 2001, following the 9/11 tragedy.

Rob mixed in plenty of his own hits as well. Thomas released his third solo album earlier this year, entitled The Great Unknown. Current single 'Hold on Forever' displays Rob's song style well, with a happy beat and warm lyrics. He can easily get fans up to dance and sing along with him. I'll note he's especially popular with the middle aged women. I had a group in front of me that were having the night of their lives and were most likely stalking the tour bus after the show.

Some of Thomas' greatest solo hits helped fill in the gaps of the show. 'Her Diamonds' and 'Streetcorner Symphony' were obviously well received. Additionally, I was especially pumped to hear Rob's cover of 'Smooth,' the tune he wrote and sang for Carlos Santana as one of the biggest hits of the 90's.

Final tune of the night was 'This is How a Heart Breaks,' as Thomas departed the stage to dance with the fans. The 43 year old looked young climbing over chair backs and getting mobbed by the audience. Though the crowd and songs played might be older, Thomas proved that he's still got it. He has a large enough song catalogue to fill a 75 minute set and he does a great job of connecting with the audience. I definitely recommend seeing him.

Concert Rating: 3 Stars



SETLIST:

1. Give Me the Meltdown
2. Lonely No More
3. Her Diamonds
4. Wind It Up
5. Let's Dance (David Bowie cover)
6. 3 A.M. (Matchbox Twenty cover)
7. Hold On Forever
8. Real World 09
9. Someday
10. Streetcorner Symphony
11. A New York Christmas
12. Unwell (Matchbox Twenty cover)
13. Smooth (Santana cover)
14. This is How a Heart Breaks