Matchbox Twenty

Out of exile, April 2008 marks the much anticipated return to New Zealand shores of Matchbox Twenty!

Having elated audiences on their previous visits, Matchbox Twenty and Rob Thomas return to New Zealand with their heartfelt harmonies, chiming guitars and ultra-melodic rock for their first stadium show at Vector Arena, Tuesday April 8.

Striking massive success with the release of their first hot new tracks in 5 years, pop-rockers Matchbox Twenty’s "Exile On Mainstrea hit the shops on October 8 and immediately debuted Top 5 on the RIANZ Album Chart. With sales already approaching platinum status, the album features 6 brand new tracks produced by Steve Lillywhite, including the Top Ten single How Far We’ve Come, plus a 2nd disc of 11 greatest hits.

We have three double passes for this great show for our Eventfinder friends. Everyone has their favourite songs, so to be in to win, tell us your favourite song (or songs) that didn't make the hits album and our Matchbox Twenty aficionado will pick the three most interesting answers for a pair of tickets. (To see the track list, in case you haven't bought the album yet, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exile_on_Mainstream.)

Since their formation in 1997 in Florida, Matchbox Twenty have accumulated more than 28 million worldwide album sales. During 1999, their debut album was awarded Diamond status for sales exceeding 10 million in the US alone - the album has now sold over 15 million worldwide.

In New Zealand the band’s 3 previous albums have sold over 130,000 copies. 1997’s Yourself or Someone Like You is 5 x Platinum; 2000’s Mad Season,1 x Platinum; 2003’s More Than You Think You Are, 1 x Platinum.

Throughout their decade long career Matchbox Twenty have garnered numerous accolades including 5 Grammy Award nominations and 3 American Music Awards. Charismatic frontman Rob Thomas has himself received 3 Grammy Awards, 11 BMI Awards, and was awarded Billboard’s Songwriter of the Year title two years running.

Lead singer Rob Thomas has also maintained a hugely successful solo career in parallel with his output with Matchbox Twenty.

All in all, Thomas has contributed to the sales of over 75 million albums worldwide as singer/songwriter with Matchbox Twenty, as an award-winning collaborator with the likes of Carlos Santana, and most recently as a solo artist with the multi-platinum album …Something To Be.

Joining Matchbox Twenty at Vector Arena will be Australian rockers Thirsty Merc. This Sydney-based, ARIA nominated band don’t require much by way of introduction. Already firm radio favourites in New Zealand, having enjoyed enormous success with their 2004 self-titled debut album featuring hit tracks Someday, Someday & In The Summertime, the album is just shy of Gold.

Their latest album Slideshows includes the already hugely successful singles 20 Good Reasons and Those Eyes. No strangers to New Zealand’s stages having toured with the likes of Evermore & Shihad, Thirsty Merc have rightly earned the reputation as one hell of a live act.