As a day of threatening rain gave way to a breezy night on Chicago's lake front, fans were treated to a perfect night of music under the stars. A co-billing of Counting Crows and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty made for a night of awesome artists first known for their 90s breakaway music and so much more. Spacial guest K Phillips opened the show.  

Three quarters through their co-billed summer tour, Rob Thomas and Counting Crows hit Chicago like a storm.  They both put on high energy shows with a certain musical confidence and stage craft that goes beyond playing their great music.

From the opening notes of the familiar guitar riff of "Round Here", the crowd's elation was  steady for whole 90 minute set. Founding members; singer Adam Duritz and guitarist David Bryson bring charisma and charm to the stage along with bandmates Charlie Gillingham, Dan Vickrey, David Immerglück, Jim Bogios and Millard Powers. They keep it real by not coming off as cocky or entitled but rather true to their musicianship. 

Rob Thomas is relatable and likable especially when sharing bits and stories between songs that keeps him very real regardless of his major successes and impressive collaborations. The bottom line his solo music holds every bit as strong as his past work with Matchbox Twenty. His newly released single "Pieces" was an intimate peak into the big struggles that are a part of the fabric of life that we all share. In addition to reaching into his past Matchbox Twenty hits, he performed his Santana collaboration "Smooth", "Baby I'm a Star" honoring Prince and Elvis' "It's Alright" between his solo songs.

Opening the the evening well before dusk was K Phillips & the Concho Pearls. He and his band warmed up the evening with a short set of music introducing his brand of West Texas country and rocking blues music to Chicago. Fun, witting and energetic, K Phillips is one performer to keep an hear out for when he is back on tour. As well, we can anticipate his soon-to-come sophomore release.  

Counting Crows
http://countingcrows.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9lNxyyKUAY&list=RDW9lNxyyKUAY#t=0

Rob Thomas
http://www.robthomasmusic.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O11UikJigxo

K Phillips
http://www.kphillipsmusic.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf1lCA_uFyE

Counting Crows Set List:

Round Here
Daylight Fading
Scarecrow
Colorblind
Start Again
Omaha
Cover Up the Sun
If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel Is Dead)
Recovering the Satellites
Miami
Goodnight L.A.
A Long December
Mr. Jones
A Murder of One

Rob Thomas Set List:

Something to Be
Mockingbird
Her Diamonds
Unwell
(Matchbox Twenty song)
Getting Late / That's All Right
Lonely No More
Fire on the Mountain
3 A.M.
Baby I'm A Star
Someday
Bent
Pieces
Hold on Forever
Streetcorner Symphony
Smooth
This is How a Heart Breaks

Encore:
Palisades Park
Rain King