There are nights when a song pulls you back to a specific moment, a specific feeling, and you remember exactly why you fell in love with a band in the first place. That is what REO Survivor brings to the stage, a live experience built around the melodic rock that defined an era and still resonates with audiences who grew up singing along to the radio and those discovering it now.
Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts is hosting REO Survivor on Friday, August 14th, 2026, at 100 East McDowell Street, Matthews, NC 28105. The Playhouse, operated as a non-profit arts organization and home to the Fullwood Theatre space, has built a reputation as a welcoming venue for live performance and cultural programming, making it an ideal setting for a night centered on classic American rock.
Show Details
REO Survivor takes the stage at Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts on Friday, August 14th, 2026. The venue is located at 100 East McDowell Street, Matthews, NC 28105. For the most current information on tickets, showtimes, and any additional event logistics, visit the Matthews Playhouse official site or check the venue’s event calendar directly ahead of the show.
About REO Survivor
REO Survivor is a professional tribute band devoted to faithfully recreating the sound, energy, and musicianship of REO Speedwagon’s classic live era. Their performances are built on soaring vocals, melodic guitar leads, rich keyboard textures, and the emotionally charged power ballads that made REO Speedwagon an arena staple. Leading the band are Kerry Craig on lead vocals, David Miller on keyboards, synthesizers, and lead vocals, Mike Graci on drums and percussion, Freddie Banner on bass and vocals, and Robert Bussey on lead guitars and vocals. REO Survivor performs nationwide at theaters, festivals, casinos, and concert venues, bringing authentic instrumentation, tight harmonies, and dynamic builds to every stage. The result is a live experience that goes well beyond imitation, drawing audiences deep into the sound of the original recordings.
What You Will Hear
REO Speedwagon built their catalog the hard way, years of Midwestern touring before radio-ready anthems and power ballads brought them to arenas coast to coast. REO Survivor honors that full arc. Expect the kind of night where you might hear “Roll With The Changes” and “Riding The Storm Out” driving the room with that signature melodic urgency, or “Keep On Loving You” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling” delivering the emotional weight that made those ballads endure. The set might also include “Take It On The Run,” “Time For Me To Fly,” “Don’t Let Him Go,” “Back On The Road Again,” and “Keep Pushin’,” songs rooted in the hooky, hard-driving rock that defined the band’s rise. The set moves naturally between anthems and ballads, tracing the melodic and rhythmic range that made REO Speedwagon’s catalog so durable.
About the Venue
Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts is a non-profit community theatre and performing arts venue located at 100 East McDowell Street in Matthews, North Carolina. The Playhouse stages productions in the Fullwood Theatre space in partnership with the community center, and serves audiences of all ages through mainstage shows, classes, and cultural programming. Its community-oriented character gives the space a warmth that translates well to intimate live performance, making the room feel connected rather than cavernous. For a tribute act built on audience connection and musical authenticity, it is a fitting stage.
Plan Your Night
Matthews Playhouse recommends checking the box office or event calendar ahead of time, as ticketing details and showtimes vary by production. Arriving early is a good idea for popular performances, both to find good seating and to get comfortable with the community center layout. Visit the Matthews Playhouse official site or event listing for the latest information on tickets and timing, and if you are bringing family, it is worth exploring the youth programming the Playhouse offers throughout the season. Come ready for a night of melodic rock done right.