DMB @ Riverbend

[coreyhemp]

Well summer has officially begun. Why, you ask, do you know that summer has begun? Other than the sticky weather, baseball games, and girls with tank tops, we also have the Dave Matthews Band playing the past two nights at Riverbend. They have become almost a rite of passage for summer for many concertgoers as they tend to tour at least once a summer. For this summer’s tour (Riverbend hosted the 5th and 6th stops) it seems like the band is more excited than ever, pulling up some old classics to throw back into their sets. This was definitely the case Monday and Tuesday night, as they looked ecstatic to play for these less-than-sellout crowds.

Monday nights show started off with a bang. “What Would You Say” created a funk vibe for the night, while Crush showed the bands ability to soften up a verse and come crashing in for the chorus that ended in Dave and Boyd soloing off each other like it just came natural. Boyd was very “on” for these shows. He showed a great amount of energy and rhythm. A perfect beginning to a great show. Other highlights for the show included Stefan’s Lap steel guitar interlude and the two song combo Jimi Thing and Grace is Gone. The two encores consisted of Cry Freedom and What you Are. Both songs were great for encores. When it was finished, What You are clocked in around 11 minutes.

Tuesday night’s show seemed like it was more catered to the audience. It was truly the best Dave Matthews show that I have ever been to. They’re 6-song combo in the middle of the set blew me away. With Satellite, Song That Jane Likes, Seek Up, Last Stop, Dreaming Tree and #41 all back-to-back, it was as if every song was getting better. After they finished jamming for about 5 minutes on the upbeat Stay (Wasting Time) I surely thought that would be the closer….then they busted out with an awesome version of Tripping Billies that definitely went past the 15 minute mark. After Dave did his jamming thing he passed it to Carter who banged on his set like there was no show tomorrow. It’s hard to single out which musician brings the most talent to the DMB, but tonight it was definitely Carter. And if Tripping Billies weren’t enough, for their encore Dave came out with Stefan and the two of them played a wonderfully mellow I’ll Back You Up. Then they ended the show with what seems to be everyone’s favorite, Two Step. It’s definitely an experience to hear tens of thousands of fans singing together:

Celebrate We Will
Because Life is short
But sweet for certain

[DogStarMan]

I've been to see two DMB concerts, one at Blossom and one at Deer Creek, and had an awful experience at both of them. The crowd is composed of 80% drunken frat boys with backwards baseball caps. That's pretty much my problem with their live shows. I wish they weren't so popular, so you could still see them in a small, personal venue. The music loses something when you're standing 500 ft. away from the stage and the performers look like action figures.

[LanneyD]

I went to the Blossom show this past saturday....my first dmb show. There were quite a few frat boy/sorority girl types, but lots of other types also...even saw a guy wearing a marilyn manson shirt...didn't quite expect that.
Thing that surprised me most (and I heard from my gf that this was true at riverbend tues. night also) he played a lot of songs off of "before these crowded streets" which I was happy about, since its my fav. album of theirs.
It was also the largest concert I've ever been too (previously, biggest venue I had attended was Taft), so it was kinda hard to get used to watching him on a screen.

Overall though, darn good show. Definitely wouldn't mind catching it again (well, if I didn't have to pay....I'm poor).

[Stine]

I hear the median age now is under 20 years old. My friends and I did the whole boat-on-the-river-BEHIND-the-stage deal. Best idea ever. Buy your own beer and snacks and we probably heard the show as well as you could on the lawn.

[DogStarMan]

Yah, sitting on a boat behind Riverbend is definitely the way to go. I was just angry because you pay 8 bucks or whatever for a beer and make your way through the shoulder to shoulder crowd to your seat. By that time, you either finish your beer or have to pee or whatever, so you walk the 1/2 hour journey there and back. Do this a few times and you've probably only caught 4 songs total. I love DMB, but I'll probably never see them again unless I can catch them in a smaller venue.

[coreyhemp]

Originally posted by DogStarMan
Yah, sitting on a boat behind Riverbend is definitely the way to go. I was just angry because you pay 8 bucks or whatever for a beer and make your way through the shoulder to shoulder crowd to your seat. By that time, you either finish your beer or have to pee or whatever, so you walk the 1/2 hour journey there and back. Do this a few times and you've probably only caught 4 songs total. I love DMB, but I'll probably never see them again unless I can catch them in a smaller venue.




Yeah, that or you spill it on yourself, then that 8 bucks is completely ruined.

[LanneyD]

beer at blossom was 8/10 dollars for 24oz......heard it was closer to 5 bucks at riverbend. It was 3 beers or a shirt....got the shirt.

[coreyhemp]

Yeah, I have to agree with the shirt......good choice.

About the frat kids and whatnot......You know, people like that seem to invade everywhere I go. I can't go to a party, show, or even the bar without some jerk making an ass out of himself. I've learned to just make fun of them and let them be. It's fun to point out other people's faults (cause you know, we're so perfect). But it's not fun when they're spilling beer all over, and yelling ohh-ohh at a DMB show like it's a Ludicriss concert.

[penelope22]

Ok so I have seen DMB 23 times and I would have to say that one should not judge the music by the crowd. Dave Matthews is very trendy and frat boys and drunk girls are to be expected. But just know they don't appreciate anything except radio Dave. I did feel a little old at riverbend Tuesday. But as soon as Dave begins to play, it's all about the music. Riverbend shows are not as great as Deer Creek and Nashville. But I think I just don't like the venue very much. Was estatic that Two Step was the encore. Good ending. I missed out on Monday night but will be in Deer Creek for both shows and will also get to see Ben Harper/Jack Johnson Saturday. Just don't go to one Dave show at Riverbend and give up......

[Kwyjibo]

Originally posted by penelope22
Ok so I have seen DMB 23 times and I would have to say that one should not judge the music by the crowd.

I don't think anybody judged the music by the crowd. It seems they were judging the DMB show experience by the crowd, which seems pretty apt.

If you don't like going to gigantic venues, don't like being surrounded by drunken frat boys, and gals cooing about how hot he is, then I think they're right a DMB show probably isn't for you. If I'd had the experiences above, I wouldn't go back.

[penelope22]

Then I will rephrase.....Don't judge the DMB experience by the Riverbend crowd. Sorry for any confusion.;)