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Matchbox Twenty star Rob Thomas announces Australian tour: ‘One of my favourite places in the world’

BBG News

The lead singer of Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas, has revealed plans for a solo tour in Australia and New Zealand towards the end of this year, where he’ll take center stage as the main act.

The 53-year-old American rock artist is planning a tour for his upcoming solo album titled “All Night Days” and will also be honoring the 20th anniversary of his first solo album released in 2005, entitled “Something To Be.

Thomas is scheduled to arrive in Australia in October, starting with a pair of consecutive performances in Perth. After that, he’ll move on to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and finally Brisbane.

In New Zealand, he will play shows in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. 

‘Aussie fans have always been incredible to me,’ he said. 

I’m eagerly looking forward to returning and performing these tunes, both familiar and fresh, during an extraordinary series of concerts in one of the places I cherish most around the globe.

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2019 will see Thomas embarking on his inaugural solo tour across Australia, despite having toured alongside Matchbox Twenty in 2024.

The performer will have a stellar roster of Australian warm-up acts, featuring groups like Boy & Bear, Eskimo Joe, Little Quirks, and Sara Berki.

On May 29th, tickets became available for purchase through Ticketek, and it seems that the prices are being adjusted in real-time based on market demand, a practice known as dynamic pricing.

Ticket prices for General Admission standing start at $183, while seated tickets vary between $200 and $342.

No concerts appear to be entirely sold-out at the time of writing. 

However, the $1526 ‘Guitar experience’ has sold out in Adelaide. 

As per the artist’s announcement, fans can anticipate a broad collection of songs from throughout their career. This set will feature popular solo tracks like “Lonely No More” and “This is How a Heart Breaks,” along with classic hits by Matchbox Twenty such as “3AM” and “Unwell.

Recently, Rob has expressed that the well-known mistake he made in 2016 during his Melbourne tour is the most remarkable event he’s ever experienced.

At the time, Rob joked about drinking through his jet lag until ‘I think I’m a black Australian’.

He shared with Confidential that it significantly altered a substantial aspect of his life, introducing numerous new acquaintances, and even broadening his perspective.

‘It’s never too late to start being on the right side of history,’ Rob added.

Back in 2016, smack-dab in the middle of his show at Melbourne’s iconic Rod Laver Arena, the musician I can’t get enough of casually tossed out a racially charged joke about how he handles those grueling long-haul flights.

He said, ‘I drink so much that I feel like an Australian, and then I drink even more until I think I’ve transformed into a Black Australian.’

The footage acquired by TMZ previously shows that the crowd reacted negatively to Rob’s comments, with disapproving sounds like sighs and jeers being audible.

Several hours after the live show, Rob took to Facebook with a heartfelt apology.

In a conversation with some friends from Australia following our performance in Melbourne tonight, I learned that something I said might have been perceived as racially insensitive and offensive.

I want to clarify that my lack of knowledge about the ongoing, divisive Australian social issue concerning indigenous people and alcohol does not condone or justify any actions. It simply means I was uninformed.

He went on saying: ‘When I found out about it, I felt like the ground gave way beneath me, as I realized that people might now perceive me as someone entirely different from who I truly am. I’m currently in my hotel room, feeling utterly disheartened because a joke I made turned out to be more pertinent to Australia’s current situation than I had initially understood.’

Without a doubt, I’d rephrase it as follows: “Though mere words, I understand the gravity of my actions that may have offended some. I wholeheartedly and sincerely express my apologies! For over two decades, I’ve been an ardent advocate for civil rights, so I am profoundly ashamed by my oversight. I feel foolish, and to anyone who knows me and all Australians, I extend my heartfelt apology.

The American rock star boasts legions of fans across the globe.

But Rob previously expressed that he is ‘uncool’ during an interview with Courier Mail.

‘There’s an inherent coolness in knowing you’re not cool,’ the singer told the publication. 

He expressed, “When I claim I’m not cool, it’s more of a compliment towards the cool crowd, not a criticism of myself. It’s meant humorously. In reality, I’m quite the charismatic figure – that’s pretty cool!

Though he’s had a comfortable professional journey, it reminded him of the laborious work his father endured in a job he despised.

In simpler terms, Rob expressed gratitude for having a job where he gets compensated for sharing the reasons why others should appreciate his music – quite a comfortable position, he added.

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2025-06-10 12:06

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