Author: Lauren Katulka

Music can be such a powerful force. It can help you feel seen and understood at times when you think no one in your orbit gets you. It can lift you up and it can comfort you. If you’re lucky, you find a band that resonates with you so deeply that their music becomes a companion for you throughout your life. The band evolves as you do, and you somehow stay in alignment. For me, that band is Matchbox Twenty. I can’t write a review of their Eora/Sydney show last night with any sense of objectivity, but I can share what it was like to see my favourite band after 12 long years.

Siobhan Cotchin was an interesting choice of opener for a night featuring two bands who had their biggest hits in the ’90s. Personally I was thrilled to see her perform live after being impressed by so many of her singles. She’s such a fierce presence on stage. She sounded incredible, and looked every inch the rock chick flanked by nearly identical long-haired male guitarists. But there were a few things working against her. She was a fresh artist playing on a bill with some fairly-established bands. And her set started at 6:45, so people were still shuffling around and finding their seats. If it got to her she didn’t show it, but I wish she’d been able to have the captive audience she deserved.

You could feel the energy levels lift a notch when the Goo Goo Dolls took the stage. These guys haven’t toured Australia for 22 years and I could tell there were many die-hard fans relishing their return. Just not enough for lead singer John Rzeznik’s liking apparently. I hate to be a downer when there was so much to like about their set. They played everything I wanted to hear in their generous 45 minutes on stage, which is impressive considering how closely I’ve followed their career over the years. They sounded great and performed with a lot of energy. But there was a sense of entitlement from John that I found so off-putting. He made comments that the people sitting near the front must really love their expensive seats, because they didn’t want to get off them, and later called them miserable. When people did respond enthusiastically, he commented that we did have a pulse. I’m not into artists who want to tell me how to spend my time at their shows. If it feels right to stand, I’ll stand. But often I want to sit, especially as I get older, and that’s my right too. I think he needs to remember that his band was the support act, one who had just two top 30 hits in this country. I love their music, and many more than those two big songs, but his attitude really took the gloss off their solid set.

Oh Matchbox Twenty. The love I have for this band runs so deep. I spent the whole first song, “Friends,” sobbing because I was just so overwhelmed. Listening to those lyrics which reference being surrounded by community, the way I always feel at a Matchbox show, really hit home. My feelings were so heightened all the way through this gig as I listened to the songs that were the soundtrack to my life and spent time with the men that created them.

Matchbox know how to get the balance right. There were almost as many songs from their debut album Yourself or Someone Like You as there were from their latest release, Where the Light Goes. Casual fans who only listened to the band on the radio could check off every hit. But then there were those deep album cuts like “Hand Me Down” and “Parade” that those of us who followed their careers more closely relished. More tears.

There’s a special magic about a band who’ve been together for decades. Especially when they aren’t constantly on the road, you can see the camaraderie, the love they have for one another and the music they make together. We missed bassist Brian “Pookie” Yale, who couldn’t make the trip, terribly, but getting to see Rob Thomas, Paul Doucette, and Kyle Cook together was beautiful. I’ve gushed about Rob Thomas before, but I honestly love every member of this band. They play so well together, and they surround themselves with some outstanding musicians who step up and fill the gaps. I can’t express how much I loved spending time with them and the songs that made me last night. I’m so thrilled that I have tickets to two more shows on the Slow Dream tour. I’ve waited far too long for these concerts to be done just yet. Bring on the next one.

Image source: own photos