INXS Play with Rob Thomas in Melbourne - REVIEW

07 February 2010

Rob Thomas concert review: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne - February 7, 2010

Melbournians got more than they bargained for on Friday night when Australian rock legends INXS hit the stage with Rob Thomas at his Rod Laver Arena concert.

The Matchbox 20 singer was performing at one of his many sell-out gigs in Australia, following the release of his second solo album Cradlesong.

The crowd was very heavily of the middle aged female variety, and they lapped up their time with the German/American lead singer. Their male counterparts could be found smoking outside the venue and hanging around the bars. This was ladies night.

See photos of Rob and Vanessa live on stage!

Rob mixed it up with up-tempo hits and slow ballads, but the real fun came at the end of the night.

After getting all the girls out of their chairs with his hit 'This is How a Heart Breaks';, Rob alluded that there was a surprise in store.

"I'm a really big fan of the band Matchbox 20";, said Rob. "Usually this is the time that I would bring out my acoustic guitar and sing some Matchbox 20 songs."

But that wasn't happening tonight. Instead he introduced to the stage, his new, very overqualified backing band, INXS.

Of course the crowd went berserk when Rob and band launched into the classic INXS hit 'Never Tear us Apart'.

This isn't the first time Rob Thomas and INXS have collaborated however. Rob hit the studio with them in Melbourne last July, when he was here doing a promotional tour. They worked on songs for an upcoming INXS album that will feature guest vocalists singing popular INXS songs. Brandon Flowers from the Killers, Gabriella Cilmi and Eskimo Joe's Kav Temperley will also appear on the album.

INXS drummer John Ferris got on-stage to perform with Rob's band Matchbox 20 on one of their previous tours.

Rob and INXS finished the night off with another INXS song 'Don't Change', with Rob getting up close and personal with the lucky punters in the front row. At the conclusion of the song Rob proclaimed "we are INXS"; and all of a sudden they were gone.