After holding onto tickets for three years following a pandemic pause, thousands finally experienced the legendary Matchbox Twenty live on July 26, 2023 at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The band thrilled their die-hard fans with their 5th studio album, Where the Light Goes, released just two months prior and their first album in over a decade.
During that time, lead singer Rob Thomas had been hard at work releasing and performing for his solo project, writing hit songs, and winning three GRAMMY® awards. Today, we find him back with the band that started it all.
But first, Matt Nathanson performed in support at the Virginia Beach show instead of The Wallflowers. Mat teased that he was actually Jakob Dylan and kept his portion of the night light-hearted while he entertained the crowd with “Giants,” “German Cars,” and “Come On Get Higher / You’re the One That I Want.”
As soon as the headliners took the stage, fans were overjoyed to hear two tracks off the new album, “Friends” and “Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream)” along with old favorites like “How Far We’ve Come” and “She’s So Mean.” Once “If You’re Gone” started, however, a passing storm paused the show for about an hour before the band roared back to life, unleashing the second half of an electrifying set that included timeless classics such as “Bent,” “Push,” “Unwell,” and “3 A.M.” The full setlist is below:
Matchbox Twenty Setlist
Friends
How Far We’ve Come
Real World
Disease
Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream)
She’s So Mean
All I Need
If You’re Gone
Mad Season
Downfall / Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Bent
Back 2 Good
Long Day
3 A.M.
Unwell
Push
Bright Lights
Matchbox Twenty’s success since their formation in 1995 can be attributed to the band’s timeless rock/alt/pop sound, along with Rob Thomas’ songwriting and unmistakable voice. The incredible talent of band members Paul Doucete, Kyle Cook, and Brian “Pookie” Yale have obviously played a crucial role in their success as well — and to the experience fans shared tonight. If one thing was made clear, it’s that the band’s profound impact on music culture is evident, with billions of streams and over 40 million albums sold worldwide, solidifying their place in music history, and in the single unified voice bellowing through the ampitheater.
