If you listened to the radio or had MTV on anytime in the late 90s or early 00s you definitely have heard Rob Thomas’ voice. The founder and leader of one of the biggest pop bands of the last 30 years, Matchbox Twenty, Thomas has been the voice of 5 albums from the band and 5 solo records, with number 6 on the way. His is currently crisscrossing the U.S. for a 25-date summer tour, and on Tuesday, August 12, Thomas brought that tour to The Rooftop at Pier 17.
Opening the show were special guests, A Great Big World. The duo is usually composed of Ian Axel and Chad King, but Axel’s friend Chris filled in on Tuesday. The set was short, only 6 songs, but they had the crowd held in rapture. The set was simple, Chris on guitar and Axel on vocals and keyboard. When they covered “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus every single person was there singing with Axel. But of course the hit “Say Something” brought the voices up even louder. The original recording had Christina Aguilera but the 3000+ people at the show were more than happy to fill in.
A Great Big World have been a little quiet lately, and Axel chatted during the set about being scared to play again, and how his wife had encouraged him to get back on stage. Funnily enough, when I was leaving the venue Ian and I ended up walking together and we chatted for almost 15 minutes. We talked about their recent new single, and being known for a song while at the same time no one really knows who you are. When “Say Something” came out, it was everywhere, but a lot of people thought it was an Aguilera song, not even realizing who the band behind it was. It was really nice getting to talk to him and I am excited for what is next.
At 7:45 Rob Thomas’ band hit the stage and the crowd erupted. They played a minute or so and then Thomas came out from the back and took center stage. He opened the show with “I Believe It”, an upbeat number from the forthcoming new album, and we were on and rocking. Thomas’ rich soulful voice and quick smile had everyone locked in immediately.
The set had 22 songs and a lot of memories. He bounced around solo records easily weaving in little stories in between the notes. I remember watching Matchbox Twenty on Storytellers when I was a lot younger, and Rob Thomas has always been an incredible writer and storyteller. Before they played the song “Little Wonders” Tomas talked about how the song started out being about his dog, and eventually it blossomed into a song about appreciation. Not just for the big moments, but for the daily miracles that make life worth living.
Thomas has spent the better part of 30 years on stage and he made it look effortless. He moved confidently from song to song and side to side, making sure everyone in that NYC crowd felt connected. His band, made up of keyboard, guitars, drums and 2 female backing singers. The band also featured his son, Maison Thomas-Eudy on lead guitar. He did an incredible job of helping to make his father’s songs shine. Rob was very obviously proud of him, highlighting his son many times throughout the show, even though he said most of the set-list predated his birth.
The set-list included many favorites, “Her Diamonds,” “Something To Be,” “Lonely No More” and many others. He also included 2 legendary Matchbox Twenty songs: “If You’re Gone” and “3 AM.” The latter song had Thomas sitting at the piano guiding the band along for the ride. Towards the end he brought Lena Hall on stage for the cover of “Under Pressure” and it sounded electric. When they played “Smooth,” the song made famous with Santana, Rob’s son rocked center stage nailing the solo. Absolutely fantastic.
The first Matchbox Twenty record came out when I was in HS. I remember borrowing it from my friend Katie and I listened to it on repeat on my discman. When I got a little older I sang in bands and we played a few songs from that first record. So for me, Thomas has a voice that feels so familiar. It feels like comfort and summer days riding around in my first car with the windows down. Seeing Rob Thomas play on a NYC rooftop, with the wind blowing off of the East River, it felt special. With my own voice ringing out with a few thousand others, there was nowhere else I would’ve rather been.
There are still a lot of dates left on the All Night Days tour, and if you are still on the fence about going, you shouldn’t be. I think that Rob Thomas is such an underrated singer and songwriter, but his voice also transports you back to another time when you hear it. With everything happening in the country today, I think that is needed more than ever.
GALLERY: Rob Thomas with A Great Big World at Pier 17 in New York City (August 12, 2025)
