Photos & Review By Jenna Hughes
Alternative rockers Third Eye Blind returned to Atlanta on November 22nd after a long hiatus, selling out The Tabernacle effortlessly and proving that the band still has a devoted following after sixteen years together.
Shrouded in shadows, the band took the stage to teasers of “Don’t Believe a Word” and “The Red Summer Sun,” before launching into “Losing a Whole Year,” a track from their 1997 multi-platinum self-titled album. Fans went wild as front man Stephan Jenkins remained at the back of the stage beneath the band’s logo, his face hidden by a grey hoodie. Eventually he made his way front and center and the logo lit up the stage as the band went into “Crystal Baller,” from 2003’s Out of the Vein.
Jenkins retained a non-stop energy throughout the show, commanding the stage and keeping the enthralled audience on their feet, singing along to every song. “This is what I live for; this moment right here,” Jenkins told the crowd at one point, adding that, “This is the best room we’ve played to on this tour.” There was a definite connection among fans that could be felt throughout the venue, as the crowd shouted out the words to hits such as “Jumper” and “Never Let You Go.”
Things slowed down for a few songs as the band left the stage and Jenkins performed solo acoustic versions of “Slow Motion,” a controversial song from 1999’s Blue, and fan favorite “Deep Inside of You.” The band returned to close out the show with “Motorcycle Drive By” and “1000 Julys,” but no one was ready to go home yet. Third Eye Blind returned for an epic 25 minute encore that included “Narcolepsy,” and the band’s biggest hit, “Semi-Charmed Life.” Fans sang along so loudly to that one that they drowned out Jenkins, who stopped the song and just let them sing. “God of Wine” was a gorgeous closer to an amazing night of music.
