Another Review from Aug. 10, 1998

Submitted by Heather:

Hi everyone!!! I'm back from Great Woods, and man, do I have some stories to tell!!! The night rocked....

My friend Alan and I arrived at Great Woods at two - five hours before the show was to begin. When we got there, there were only three other cars - but we didn't care. We sat around bullshitting for awhile, and I made Alan listen to YOSLY, as he'd never even heard of Matchbox 20 until me (he's a techno freak). After we'd been there for about fifteen minutes, we saw Semisonic's bus arrive, so Alan and I figured - what the hell? Why not go hang around the arrival area? So we trudged down to where Semisonic's bus had gone in, and met these two Soul Asylum fans. We talked to them awhile, and then more and more people started arriving. The two girls who had been parked beside us showed up and we started talking. That was a major stroke of luck, as I ended up with their extra 4th row ticket!

Anyway, soon I met up with Angela (hi Gel!!!), and people from the net (Hi Rene!) - and everyone was so cool. We also met Sarah Edwards, Channel 7's entertainment reporter. She asked if we wanted to be on tv so of course we said yes!!! We ran over to a little grassy mound where her camera man had set up, and gathered behind her. First we taped a "tease" - where she told what would be coming up - then her first broadcast!!! We were stoked! After that, we got some pics with her, and talked a bit (she, ugh, asked about the rumors of Rob's weight gain, to which I told her, "He's beautiful no matter what.") - then she went inside to wait for MB20 to arrive so that she could tape an interview. We all went back over to where the busses arrived, and before long, MB20's busses came barreling through! Someone in the front seat looked so much like Rob that Gel and I almost died - but it wasn't him..lol. Anyway, shortly after, Sarah came back out and said, "This hand touched Rob Thomas!" I asked if I could shake her hand (as a joke) and she said yes, so I did..lol. Then she asked if we wanted to be on tv again! Whatta you think we said? So she told us to be back at the hill around 5:45. This time the segment was even longer - and it was wrapped around the interview with Rob she had just taped (she loved him, by the way). Finally she left (and as she drove past Rene and I, she waved), and we (now it was Gel, Alan, myself, and Rene) went to relax on some rocks near the box office.

The show started with Semisonic - who rocked!!! They were really great, and Dan Wilson even saw me from the stage and smiled, then made this gesture with his guitar. Personally, I would've preferred more Semisonic, less Soul Asylum (they were good, but too long and I so didn't need to see the lead singer lose his pants..lol..he was WASTED!). Anyway, finally they finished and the crew started setting up for MB20!!! A huge curtain came down, and people were scurrying around behind it. From where I was sitting, I could see Pauly dancing around near his drums - I don't know if it was for our benefit or if he was just doing it anyway. Then Adam (who was sick, poor baby) appeared and waved at some little girls (and maybe us).

Then it started!!! I can't even tell you how awesome (in the literal sense of the word) it was to be so close to the stage and see Rob, Pauly, Kyle, Adam, and Brian so close. They sang all the songs on YOSLY, plus "Nothing Compares 2 U" (Sinead O'Conner), "Tired", "You and I and I", "Fame" (David Bowie), a new (beautiful!) song that Rob wrote, called "Black & White People", and a few pieces of other songs.

Rob was all in black (and looking trimmer if you care) with his adorable self wearing a cowboy hat. Halfway through, he took it off and rubbed his sweaty head with a towel, and we were then treated to his beautiful curls. He madefun of the Boston accent, and remarked about how much the band loves Boston, and that it's one of the few places they always look forward to coming back to. They do come here a lot. Anyway, the crowd was WILD - this is a major Matchbox town.

Paul was in red and black (like his hair); Kyle was in - hmm, I forget exactly but he looked great; Brian was in blue I think, and Adam was in black and white.

Anyway, the show was over too soon (*sigh*), but afterwards we were lucky enough to meet Paul and Brian!! GW is tight-assed about everything, and discourages fan/band interaction, but those two managed to sneak out and say hi. We had waited till midnight for this (despite being yelled at by rent-a-cops who lied and said the band had left). I spoke to Pauly (and got a pic) but to be honest - I barely remember what was said, I was so in awe (yet calm). Brian was being whisked away by the time I got to him, but he was still very sweet. They were herded onto the bus, and as it pulled away, Paul was in the window waving goodbye (like a little boy - it was sooo cute!).

Anyway, that's my Matchbox Moment/review - I'm still high from the whole thing, but I now can look forward to FL with Jen!!! And this time, we're taking no prisoners....