Matchbox Twenty comes to Phoenix!

“EXILE IN AMERICA”:
** MATCHBOX TWENTY **
RETURNING TO THE ROAD
FOR FIRST CROSS-COUNTRY TOUR IN OVER FOUR YEARS
WITH ALANIS MORISSETTE
CRICKET WIRELESS PAVILION
MARCH 17, 2008

Phoenix, AZ (December 11, 2007) - Melisma/Atlantic recording group MATCHBOX TWENTY has announced their first North American concert tour in over four years. The cross-country “Exile In America” itinerary will also feature special guests Alanis Morissette and MUTEMATH. The tour will stop in Phoenix at Cricket Wireless Pavilion on Monday, March 17. The show will begin at 7:00pm.

“We’re all completely pumped about getting back together and heading out on the road after all this time, especially since we have a bunch of new songs to play for everyone,” said vocalist Rob Thomas. “And we’re thrilled to be joined by the brilliant Alanis Morissette and the fantastic New Orleans band MUTEMATH. It’s going to be a great show, and we can’t wait to get out there.”

"I can't wait to share some new songs, connect with people around North America again, and join Matchbox Twenty’s traveling circus,” shared Alanis Morissette. “So psyched!"

MATCHBOX TWENTY last toured in 2003, wrapping up their SRO global itinerary in December of that year. The tour, which earned acclaim from coast to coast and around the globe, was highlighted by sold-out shows at three of the world’s premier rock venues – New York’s Madison Square Garden, London’s Wembley Arena, and Los Angeles’ Staples Center. MATCHBOX TWENTY reunited two years later for two sold-out New Year’s shows in Las Vegas. The 2008 dates will mark the band’s first tour as a four-piece, with Paul Doucette shifting from drummer to guitarist in the band line-up – which also includes vocalist Rob Thomas, guitarist Kyle Cook, and bassist Brian Yale.

The announcement of MATCHBOX TWENTY’s return to the concert trail follows the release of the band’s new album, EXILE ON MAINSTREAM, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, while also premiering at #1 on SoundScan’s Current Alternative Albums chart. This marked the biggest first week of the year for a greatest hits collection, with the #3 premiere also matching the group’s previous highest Billboard 200 debut, 2000’s Mad Season.

TICKETS ON-SALE MONDAY, DECEMBER 17 AT 10AM
Reserved tickets priced at $70.00, $53.50, $33.50 and $24.00 will go on-sale Monday, December 17 at 10am at Cricket Wireless Pavilion Box Office (10am-5pm), http://www.eveningstarproductions.com/ and all Ticketmaster outlets. A venue parking fee, applicable taxes, service and handling charges may be applied. To charge by phone, call 480.784.4444 (Phoenix Metro Area) or 520.321.1000 (Outside Phoenix Area). All dates, acts, and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges. For more show information, check out http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

A look back and a look ahead, EXILE ON MAINSTREAM features the smash single and video, “How Far We’ve Come.” The first album from the group in five years, it combines a six-track EP of new songs, marking the band’s first work with Grammy winning producer Steve Lillywhite, with a retrospective of the band’s greatest hits culled from their three previous albums, produced by Grammy winner Matt Serletic.

MATCHBOX TWENTY has sold some 30 million records to date. They were named Best New Band in the 1997 Rolling Stone Readers Poll, and followed the RIAA Diamond Award success of their 1996 breakthrough debut, Yourself or Someone Like You, with two more multi-platinum sets – 2000’s Mad Season and 2002’s More Than You Think You Are. Among their many accolades are five Grammy nominations and three American Music Award nominations, while vocalist and songwriter Rob Thomas has earned three Grammy Awards, 11 BMI Awards, and has been twice named Billboard Songwriter of the Year.

Since 1995 Alanis Morissette has become one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians in contemporary music. Her deeply expressive music and performances have earned vast critical praise, seven Grammy Awards, and a dedicated fan base that extends throughout the world, with album sales exceeding 40 million. Morissette’s 1995 debut, Jagged Little Pill, was followed by such eclectic and acclaimed albums as Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998), MTV Unplugged (1999), Under Rug Swept (2002), So-Called Chaos (2004), Jagged Little Pill Acoustic (2005), her greatest hits album, The Collection (2005), as well as musical contributions to theatrical releases. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her new studio album, Flavors Of Entanglement, which will be released in 2008 on Maverick Records. In addition, Morissette recently announced her first lead film role as “Sylvia” in the film adaptation of Philip K Dick's novel “Radio Free Albemuth.”

It’s a daunting task to describe the sound of Nashville-based quartet MUTEMATH. Their self-titled Teleprompt/Warner Bros. record album debut draws from an eclectic confluence of influences and styles that form some kind of intelligent, melodic rock music that feels both familiar and brand new at the same time. Alternative Press magazine recently named MUTEMATH the “#1 Band You Need To See Live Before You Die.” The band’s recent live television appearances on Letterman, Conan, Kimmel, and Ferguson have blown minds and made lasting impressions. This will be the band’s most extensive tour to date.