Nineties Icons Morissette, Matchbox Twenty Visit Mason

By Broadside Staff Correspondent Kyle Ridley
Photo by Asst. Photography Editor Laura Foltz

Rock powerhouses Matchbox Twenty and Alanis Morissette treated the Patriot Center to a dynamic three hour show chock full of hits last Friday night. Performing for an almost sold-out crowd, both acts passionately belted their chart-topping tunes with unstoppable force that commanded the 10,000 seat arena.

Morissette opened her 60-minute set with a massive rendition of “Uninvited,” her 1998 number one single. Walking out to the haunting single piano notes, she delicately sang the opening verse with a soft spark that ignited into heavy flames upon the song’s uproarious finish.

Morissette’s non-stop energy was magnetic when running unbridled across the stage playing harmonica on “All I Really Want” or vigorously slamming the strings of an electric guitar on “Eight Easy Steps.”

The seven-time Grammy winner paid homage to Fergie’s “My Humps” by singing a short snippet of the remake that became a YouTube sensation last year. Morissette wore a bright pink boa, while band mates tossed dollar bills in the air around her. The lighthearted piece quickly segued into the explosive “You Oughta Know” that had the audience chanting the outspoken lyrics of jilted love.

Morissette’s 12-song set was comprised mostly of greatest hits, such as the enthusiastic “You Learn” and the enchanting “Thank You.” However, the multi-platinum rock goddess squeezed in two new songs from her forthcoming album, Flavors of Entanglement, due in late spring.

Among the new material was “Moratorium,” a dark number where Morissette proclaims her cessation from relationships and “declares a full time off on all things commitment.” The track ended with a bolt of flashing lights while Morissette jumped wildly around the stage, her signature long locks swinging as she spun around like a cyclone in a lightning storm.

Ending her set with the crowd favorite “Ironic,” Morissette was giddy as the audience sang along and cheered her modified lyrics of “it’s meeting the man of my dreams and meeting his beautiful husband.” Serving up a delicious array of tasty tunes, she prepared the Patriot Center for the upcoming Matchbox Twenty feast.

Rob Thomas and gang opened their luminous two hour set with a vivacious version of “How Far We’ve Come,” the spirited lead single from their new greatest hits collection, Exile on Mainstream.

The supreme stage power Matchbox Twenty achieves is enthralling, each member performs with a fervent excitement that compels even the most casual of fans. Releasing their first record over 11 years ago, the group is still in top form, whether racing the stage untamed on “3 A.M.” or showing a softer side with current single “These Hard Times,” where Thomas encouraged the crowd to raise all cell phones in an effort to set a graceful ambiance.

Thomas’s crisp and intense vocals dominated, while pounding piano keys on the classic “Bright Lights,” slowing things down with the subtle beauty of “Back to Good,” or creating a crowd frenzy with the sing-a-long encore of “Unwell.” Dripping sweat glistened on his face as he never let up, giving 110 percent with each note sung and every beat played.

Although hits such as “Bent,” “If You’re Gone” and “Real World” were a focal point, Matchbox Twenty showcased a fair amount of non-single tracks from their catalog, including a standout arrangement of “Hand Me Down,” from their 2002 CD More Than You Think You Are. In a set full of radio staples, this song is a hidden gem that quietly captivates as Thomas runs the gamut of vocal prowess, hitting the chilling highs and trembling lows.

As the lights went up on the evening’s jam packed festivities, the indelible impact of Morissette and Matchbox Twenty’s paramount performances was evident.

Praise among the high- spirited crowd could be overheard as fulfilled patrons trekked to their vehicles and reminisced over the memorable event.