Review: Matchbox Twenty Fires Up Ford Center

By Tricia Pemberton, The Oklahoman

Mar. 3–The crowd inside the Oklahoma City Ford Center on Sunday night paid no attention to tornado warnings and flash flooding just outside the doors. Instead, they were blown away by passionate performances by Matchbox Twenty, Alanis Morrisette and Mute Math.

Mute Math, a Grammy-nominated alternative rock band from New Orleans, took the stage at 7 p.m., playing just four songs in 25 minutes. The crowd seemed impressed, however, with the bands emo-bohemian-psychedelic-rock sound and its acrobatic high jinks.

Mute Math’s sound might best be described as a mix of Pink Floyd meets Shadowfax on an episode of “Dr. Who.” Handstands by the lead singer and keyboardists also drew applause as did some grandstanding by the drummer, who jumped from a bass drum perched atop the keyboards. The band ended its set with a tribal beating of the drums by three of the four band members.

Alanis Morrisette’s band took the stage next, though the singer stayed just out of view while starting the song “Uninvited.” When she finally made her appearance on the violet-lit set, the crowd shreaked its approval. During her hour-long set, Morissette proved she could have sold her own show. The crowd sang heartily along to songs such as “Jagged Little Pill,”"Ironic,”"Hand in My Pocket” and “You Oughta Know.” She even thrilled the crowd with a new song, “Torch.”

Morrisette alternately played harmonica and guitar, romping around the stage in skin-tight black pants, a hot-pink silk blouse, a black vest and knee-high black boots. She got a huge laugh from the crowd as she gave a shout out to Fergie while singing “My Humps” while wrapped in a pink feather boa as her band members threw money at her and she pretended to knee them where it would hurt.

Morisette thoroughly warmed up the crowd for the leading act.

Matchbox Twenty’s lead singer Rob Thomas told the crowd when he took the stage just after 9 p.m. that the band would spend several hours with them, and then held true to the promise, bringing the crowd to its feet over and over during a 19-song set and a four-song encore. The crowd sang along to favorites such as the opener, “How Far We’ve Come,” then to “Real World,”"3 a.m.,”"Disease” and others.

“How’s it goin’ baby?” Thomas shouted between songs, only to hear thunderous applause, yells and whistles in return.

At times, Thomas — clad casually in a T-shirt and jeans — almost seemed to make love to his audience. Between his sultry, but strong voice, his evocative body language and his lover’s lyrics, the cold rain falling after the show must have seemed like relief. Songs such as “Bent,”"Back to Good,” and “If You’re Gone,” particularly seemed to strike a chord with his audience with Thomas sounding better than on any CD he’s recorded. He almost has a voice that on CD can come out too melodramatic, but in concert, he sounds powerful and sensual.

The show was all Thomas’ for at least the first hour, with the band giving him plenty of breathing room to move between the microphone, a black baby grand piano and alternate turns on guitar. Then the other three guitarists showed up in force. Kyle Cook was the first to break out, singing lead on the chorus to “Hang,” drawing long applause. Then, guitarist Paul Doucette wowed the crowd by thumping out a rhythm on his guitar while blue strobe lights pulsed during a rendition of “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window.”

Thomas sent the crowd home with “Push,” after thanking everyone for their time. “How you spend your time is really a big deal, because you can’t get it back. So, thank you for spending it with us,” he said. He also told the crowd to “be good to each other.” A final thank you appeared on the backdrop as the band finally left the stage just after 11 p.m.

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Copyright (c) 2008, The Oklahoman

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