Sometime last summer, I was discussing my fantasy Dave Matthews Band set-list with my husband. Predictably, I listed many of my usual favorites including “Bartender,” “One Sweet World,” “#41,” “Pig,” and “Granny,” (although I noted that “Pig,” and “Granny,” aren’t typically played on the same night). But hey, this wasn’t about probability, it was about desire, so I went all out and said, “And ‘Captain,‘ I would be SO happy if they played ‘Captain.‘ But they won’t, I mean they haven’t since 2004, and that was only once...” Apparently, I forgot which band I was talking about, because with DMB all things are possible.Sometime last summer, I was discussing my fantasy Dave Matthews Band set-list with my husband. Predictably, I listed many of my usual favorites including “Bartender,” “One Sweet World,” “#41,” “Pig,” and “Granny,” (although I noted that “Pig,” and “Granny,” aren’t typically played on the same night). But hey, this wasn’t about probability, it was about desire, so I went all out and said, “And ‘Captain,‘ I would be SO happy if they played ‘Captain.‘ But they won’t, I mean they haven’t since 2004, and that was only once...” Apparently, I forgot which band I was talking about, because with DMB all things are possible.
I have been planning this article for months! Well, except that I had no idea what it would actually be about. What I mean is, that ever since I made arrangements to see the Dave Matthews Band next week in Atlanta, I’ve been looking forward to mentioning the one song that I want to hear most at that show, hoping that serendipity would work her magic, and somehow land the aforementioned tune a spot on next Tuesday night’s setlist. You see, ever since I have been writing these posts, I have noticed a strange, yet comforting phenomenon, where the tracks that I speak of suddenly appear, sometimes after long absences, on stage. It’s not that I believe that I am causing these things to occur, (I’m not that crazy!), it’s just that synchronicity is that powerful. But hey, if I come to find that someone from the band is actually reading these pieces, then that would be all the more amazing! So, Dave, if you would like to dedicate a song to the psychologist who writes spiritually themed, eccentric works about how much she loves your music, please, be my guest!
One of the most beautiful things about Dave Matthews Band is their ability to develop and translate their songs on the live stage. Whether it’s an improved jam or a new arrangement to an old classic, there is something about hearing and seeing DMB songs live that keeps fans coming back for more.
One of the biggest questions that come to mind is what they will play and how these songs will be played? Through the years, DMB have been constantly changing their sound and style which as artists, should be done. No rock band can withstand 20 years of touring and recording without exploring their art form, and no one wants to hear the same show and songs over and over.
Even better, getting songs never heard before or songs that they feel the need to bust out just because they are feeling it at the time. Perfect example of that in 2010 are songs like “Break for It” and “Black Jack”. You don’t know what to expect, and sometime neither does DMB. What else is there to do but, just take it all in!
“Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King”, arguably one of their best studio efforts since “Before These Crowded Streets”, has translated to the live stage very well and has been well received by fans. The dynamic of the band and this album has drastically changed with the lack of our beloved saxophonist LeRoi Moore, but his spirit and the band musicianship has held strong.
At this point in the 2010 tour, many have likely had a chance to hear the “new” Big Whiskey songs live at shows and even have seen some progression in these tunes since 2009.
My first impressions of the Big Whiskey tunes live on stage were nothing short of amazing.
This tour is incendiary! Not since the early days of the Dave Matthews Band have we seen such variety and energy emanating from every inch of the group’s presence. We knew going in that there would be surprises, but this is insane! At about halfway through the summer series, we’ve already been treated to a plethora of rarities, including, “Minarets,” “Lover Lay Down,” “Blue Water,” “The Stone,” “What You Are,” “I’ll Back You Up,” “Halloween,” "The Last Stop," and, of course, “Sister,” which a certain spirited fan just happened to write about last week! And if we count partial songs and teases, we can add, “Spoon,” “Beach Ball,” “Write a Song,” “#40,” and “Water into Wine,” to our list of extraordinary shockers. 
This past weekend in Hartford, CT, Dave Matthews Band kicked off the 2010 Summer tour with 2 stellar shows full of big surprises for fans!
Anticipation for this tour doubled when the band announced that they would be taking a year off in 2011.
The Cologne CathedralAs the month long European run comes to a close one thing is very clear, Dave Matthews Band are having a lot of fun playing these European cities and are heavily promoting their latest studio album, "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King".
Stefan Lessard among many fans have been our personal tour guide sharing twitter updates and some stunning pictures of Europe.
The setlists can easily be compared to that of the 2009 tour, but DMB are still promoting their new album and Europe is finally getting more DMB love. You can hear for yourself with a few of the tapes that have surfaced from the tour that the "Big Whiskey" songs are already evolving and becoming more polished since last years tour. One of many highlights is Tim Reynold's longer solo on "Seven".
Today in London, England, the Dave Matthews Band kicked off their 11 date European portion of the Summer 2009 tour. The intimate show at the Brixton Academy, seating only 4921 people boasted a great set, opening with “Rapunzel” and featuring many “Big Whiskey” treasures, along with old favorites like “The Stone,” “Jimi Thing,” "Two Step," and "Grey Street." After England, the ensemble will travel to France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, The Netherlands, and Spain, before wrapping it up on July 11th in Lisbon, Portugal. While we may think of DMB as mainly an American touring group, these musicians are no stranger to the other side of the big seas. Since their European debut of 11 dates in 1995, these men have made numerous trips to Europe, South America, and Australia, performing at festivals, free events, and small and large venues alike.
While thousands of fans were braving the rain around Rockefeller Center last Friday, in anticipation of the Dave Matthews Band's first ever morning television performance, Dave was sitting down with Matt Pinfield and Leslie Fram of The NY Rock Experience. Dave talked with the radio hosts for over 40 minutes before graciously apologizing that he had to run, as if he was on the way to get his dry cleaning rather than entertain on national television! The interview spanned the making of “Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King,” including the creative process of the band, the terrible loss of LeRoi Moore, and several insights into individual songs. Listening to this for yourself is a must, but in the meantime here are some highlights from the broadcast.
Dave starts off declaring “Big Whiskey” as “one of the best records we've ever made.” He openly admits that the “weird, unique and...accessible” energy that the group transmitted up until and around the time of “Before These Crowded Streets” was missing in the last two albums, noting that this one is “sort of like the fourth record.” Dave joyfully recounts the way that the men fell back in love with making music and with each other under the focused but spontaneous guidance of producer Rob Cavallo. Starting in their Charlottesville studio, and continuing in Seattle and New Orleans, the musicians found themselves working in ways, and conditions, that were reminiscent of their earliest days.