While 3 Doors Down rocked the socks off fans at Konocti Field Amphitheater in a Fourth of July weekend performance, Rob Thomas followed the next weekend, Saturday, July, 8, with a smooth, relaxed, sunset concert.
Both performances accommodated a healthy crowd with 3 Doors Down entertaining a wild and crazy bunch, while Thomas primarily played for ladies amid a quieter audience.
Making their second appearance in Konocti Field Amphitheater, 3 Doors Down, who was last year”s BoardStock headliner, turned up the volume and kicked out two hours of rock and roll music that fed energy to the crowd like an adrenaline IV. The spectacular display of Fourth of July fireworks that followed the show on Saturday, July 1 was all that could have adequately concluded the evening.
Frontman Brad Arnold hooked the crowd with his charismatic persona and reeled the audience in with a sparkle gleaming from his eyes. Joined by band members Matt Roberts and Chris Henderson on guitar, Todd Harrell on bass and Greg Upchurch on drums, Arnold headed a set list loaded with familiar songs from all three albums that have been released by the band.
The crowd was not easily contained as the stage lit up with a Superman emblem sporting the number three preluding an unbounded performance of one of the band”s early hit singles, “Kryptonite,” which earned a 2003 Billboard Music Award for “Best Hot 100 Single.” The band entertained with other No. 1 hit singles from “The Better Life,” “Away From The Sun,” and “Seventeen Days,” including the song “Landing In London,” which was the band”s 13th consecutive hit single.
With more restrictions surrounding his July 8 performance than most legendary artists that grace the Konocti Field Amphitheater, Rob Thomas set the precedence for a relaxing sunset concert amid the cooling breeze that swept through the venue. Before a starry backdrop that entertained purple and green hues, Thomas sang of life”s trials in love and happiness. The song “The Difference,” he explained, was about being lucky enough to find happiness and being smart enough to know what to do to keep it.
The tempo slowed way down as Thomas broke out his acoustic guitar to play a couple of songs recorded while he was in the group “Matchbox 20.” The beat picked up with a cover of Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks” “Stop Dragging My Heart Around.” Although Carlos Santana was not in attendance, the crowd was thrilled to hear “Smooth,” the song made famous by the two. The audience also heard a David Bowie song, suggesting “Let”s dance.”
Throughout the venue couples could be seen kissing and dancing. It could have been the alcohol but it also could have been inspired by the soft, ballad music coming from the stage.
Thomas signed off with blue, white and hot pink hues behind him as he explained “This is how a heart breaks.” One lucky fan received a high-five from the artist as he exited the stage.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
