I finally got to see matchbox twenty for the first time ever. Woo Hoo. They played at the Experience Music Project (a music museum) grand opening here in Seattle. Friday night had Filter, Kid Rock, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Metallica. However we went Saturday night because they guys were performing obviously. They were the last act to go on, but before them were... The Eurithmics, I didn't like them much; then Beck came on, he started out pretty good but towards the end of his set I was bored with him, however he is pretty... unique. After him came Alanis Morisette, and she was really good, mostly just did her hits and maybe 2 other songs I didn't recognize. Then No Doubt played and were amazing. Their drummer is freaky as hell, but Gwen is a cutie... :o)

And then... original blue's brother Dan Aykroyd, comes out on stage, thanks Paul Allen and the rest for creating the Experience Music Project and introduces MATCHBOX TWENTY.

I was pretty surprised with the song they opened with, "STOP". It was very energetic, but since it was new, the crowd didn't know it and wasn't really with it.

Next came "BENT" and it seemed to get a good reaction. It gets a lot of radio play here so the crowd seemed to enjoy it.

Once "REAL WORLD" started the crowd was singing along the whole time.

Then Rob intoed the next one as a drinking song for mama and began "3AM". I figured he's probably done it many times before but in the middle of it I thought it was cool when he sang the line "she believes that life is made up of all that it used to" he then mouthed the words "it's not"... I just thought that was cute.

Then they played "BACK 2 GOOD" which was great of course but in my opinion I think the keyboard should have been more distinctive in that song than it was. Maybe it was just a sound system thing... not sure. Earlier in the night the sound system was pretty bad which was sad since it was the grand opening of this music museum, you'd think and hope for it all to be perfect quality. Otherwise it was an extremly powerful performance from Rob and the rest!

They played "PUSH" next and naturally it was a favorite with the crowd since everyone knows it and could sing along.

Next Rob introed it as the title track off the new CD and played "MAD SEASON". And since it was a new one the crowd kinda got sluggish again.

And then I was almost sad to hear the next song; "LONG DAY" cause I knew it was the last. And since the crowd just wasn't with him like they should have been, he didn't hardly do any extras like "Gone Till November" but he did briefly add part of the extra verse but it just wasn't the same.

And then it was done. A simple 8 song set. That about what all the bands did but since MBT was last I was kinda hoping they'd get a little more but I guess not. Also I was sad that Kyle didn't do any lead since "Hang" and "Don't Let Me Down" weren't done. He is a diva on the guitar tho! I can not wait to see them when they do a true full set concert in the future.