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People have a variety of superstitions when it comes to the number “13,” so it was only natural that I bought tickets for my thirteenth Dave Matthews Band concert with a small bit of trepidation. After all, for the past four years, while I have always thoroughly enjoyed my concert experiences, I have often left quibbling about song choices and setlists. I have seen my share of great shows by the band, but many of the high points came before the turn of the century! All of that changed when the band visited Nissan Pavilion as part of its 2005 summer tour. Hitting the road in support of Stand Up, the band put on a sensational show – with an assist from special guest Robert Randolph – and gave this fan an experience to remember.
For many of the fans in attendance at this steamy Sunday night show, this was the first opportunity to hear the new Stand Up tunes in a live setting. The Dave Matthews Band had trotted out about a half dozen new songs in 2004, theoretically as a precursor to their inclusion on the band’s latest album, but only one survived the cut. This meant that, with the exception of the twangy rocker “Hello Again,” the rest of the album would be a virgin offering for the crowd. That offering turned out to be a mixed bag, with some songs that truly explode on stage and others that tend to grind the show to a halt. The lesser group was epitomized by songs like “Out of My Hands” and “Steady As We Go,” although the latter at least showed the potential to be developed down the line.
Slow moments like these may have taken some of the energy from the crowd, but the loss was temporary, and the band’s dazzling mix of favorites swiftly brought the energy level around again. “Don’t Drink the Water,” a song which has never disappointed me when heard live, got things going after a peppy “Dreamgirl” and a fairly standard “One Sweet World.” Watching lead singer Dave Matthews wail about the “blood in the water” never fails to give me chills. One of the show’s special treats followed shortly thereafter, as the band brought out seldom-heard gem “Say Goodbye.” During my thirteenth show, I finally experienced one of my favorite Dave Matthews songs of all time. As “Say Goodbye” gave way to “Too Much,” it was readily apparent that Dave Matthews was in a funky mood – mumbling and spouting gibberish throughout – and that this show would be something to behold.
In terms of new songs that actually fared well, “Hunger for the Great Light’ benefited from the extra energy of a live show, as did the spooky “You Might Die Trying.” “Stand Up” was only so-so, even if it did feature the first appearance of the night by up-and-coming guitarist Robert Randolph. Before getting there, though, the band whipped the crowd into a frenzy with a roaring “Grey Street” and an epic “Warehouse.” These helped to set the stage for Stand Up’s finest effort – a jamming, rollicking “Louisiana Bayou.” With Robert Randolph’s fingers dancing feverishly over his lap guitar and violinist Boyd Tinlsey dancing all around him, the Dave Matthews Band delivered an inspiring performance of what is sure to be a frequent set closer in the very near future.
The songs from Stand Up generally held their own throughout the concert, but they were helped immensely by a collection of favorites that this fan has not heard in at least five years. The icing on this cake came with the band’s encore, when a solid “American Baby” gave way to a familiar, haunting introduction. ”There must be some kind of way out of here,” Dave Matthews quietly intoned, and the crowd squealed with delight. “All Along the Watchtower” proved to be a fitting end to another incredible concert experience. The band provided a mix of old & new, and, while time will tell if the new material will really stand up, the band’s future looks as bright as its past. For this fan, next year’s tour cannot arrive soon enough.
Setlist:
Encore:
See Also: Dave Matthews Band Tribute
Submitted 6/28/05.
If you have any questions or comments about this or any other concert, please feel free to e-mail me.