Rob Thomas
With Special Guest A Great Big World
PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ - 8.13.2025
Storytelling, connection, music and family was the setting along with heartfelt performances. Rob's 6th solo album, All Night Days, is out September 5th with the first single "Hard to Be Happy" and a 25-date tour with a stop in Holmdel, NJ on a thunderous night (literally lightning, thunder and rain prior to showtime).
This tour includes his 27-year-old son Maison Avery William Thomas playing lead guitar along with Thomas's 8-piece solo band. Twenty years since his first solo record, the frontman for Matchbox Twenty will be celebrating their 30th anniversary next year.
Opening with "I Believe It", highlights of the night included "Heaven Help Me", "Her Diamonds", "Little Wonders" and more. Thomas seamlessly blended his solo repertoire with Matchbox Twenty favorites "If You're Gone" and a piano arrangement of "3 AM" featuring saxophone. INXS cover "New Sensation" was a surprise and an encore of "Smooth" and "This Is How a Heart Breaks" ended the night.
Rob Thomas definitely has an engaging stage presence with charisma, anecdotes and emotional delivery keeping the audience engaged, standing and singing along. The night was a nostalgic vibe blending '90s and '00s classics with new material.
Opening for Thomas, A Great Big World took the stage with duo Ian Axel and writing partner Chad King keeping it low-key and no frills - just piano, two guitars and simple stage lighting. Opening with "Can We Go Back Home", performing Wheatus cover "Teenage Dirtbag" and their hit "Say Something" (collaboration with Christina Aguilera), they performed a 30-minute set. The night was laid-back with heartfelt performances perfect for long-time fans and newcomers alike.
