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| Ok, I just got back from one of the greatest nights of my life.
Dave Matthews Band, Live at Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge, VA.
I'm seriously not exaggerating one bit. Go to a thesaurus, find the word 'Amazing', and every synonym you see describes that show. I did manage to get a good number of very low quality pictures on my phone and a few recordings of the show. It was a great setlist mixed with alot of old and new tunes. Freakin' loud for the most parts and a few ballads. What topped the show off and just made it 500x better was Robert Randolph.
This man...is simply...incredible. He guest appeared on Stand Up, Bayou, and Watchtower. He was nuts.
The show first started out with the opening act Blue Merle. Dave walked out on stage to introduce them. The place went crazy! He walked out to the mic and said something weird like "...I..used..to..talk..to...myself...in the car, ...and people...would...think...I...was...crazy *crowd cheers at random times* .....but now...when I talk...in the car...people...think..I'm...talking...on a......cellphone." *crowd cheers* Yes, Dave is kinda kooky when he comes to just talking but the crowd loved it. He then went on to introduce and BM started playing. They're a good band and sound alot like a more acoustic Coldplay. They've got alot of talent and I wouldn't be surprised to see them get bigger. I've listened to them before but yeah, after about their 5th song they got kinda old. It was also very cool to see Boyd Tinsley (DMB Violinist) come out during the 3rd song and play with them. Him and BM's violinist had a kind of 'dueling violins' thing which was pretty stunning to say the least.
About 45 minutes after they left the stage, the DMB walks out...and the place went completely apeshit. The sea of people were screaming and jumping and it was insane. They started tuning up a bit. A couple crescendos and decrescendos. They then went on to play.
The setlist was:
Dream Girl - Dave started off the song with some harmonic singing and the band joined in to play. It was a nice way to start off the show; bringing their newer songs to the setlist.
One Sweet World - Wow. A nice surprise. Bringing tunes back from their first album. A great song and got the crowd into it.
Don’t Drink the Water - Started out with a bang. That's when it really got loud. Dave screaming. Band jamming. It was a thing of beauty.
Hunger For The Great Light - What power! The bass and guitars. The songs about dirty sex so you can imagine the energy in the crowd.
Say Goodbye - Say What!? Drum Solo?! Hecks Yeah there was. Carter is incredible. He's so fast and never misses a beat. He's got at least 12 arms to play with his 46 drums and 19 cymbals. Amazing. As for the song. Loved it. It's a very powerful song with alot of feeling.
Too Much - Blew us all away. The band was so loud and funked. Dave with his scat singing got everybody up and moving. Loved it.
Out Of My Hands - The first ballad. Very soft and relaxing. Butch on the keys and Carter's rolls nicely assisted Dave's vocals.
Grey Street - Ohhh man! Brought the power right back. Dave's vocals are so powerful and gave everyone a chill down their spine. This song shows how talented the band really is.
Steady As We Go - Dave sat. No...he got a chair and sat. I know that doesnt sound like anything, but he got a chair and played sitting down. Sure he'll do that on a solo tour or with Tim Reynolds(God), but this was the first time I've ever seen him do that with the band. It was just so cool. This second ballad was assisted by the smooth beats from the band behind him. Everyone was in awe.
Hello Again - Again brought back the energy. This song was very upbeat and brought back the acoustic/countryish sound back to the show. Was nice.
You Might Die Trying - Wow. Not until I actually heard this song live did I think of it as something very remarkable. Dave's guitar had this funky riff and really got the crowd into it. A violin and sax solo also occured and I was stunned stiff. Glued to them both.
Where Are You Going - Another slow song. Roi wailed on the sax. I mean...he wailed. That song has grown on me over the years and it's an incredible song to hear live.
Very mellow and chill.
Warehouse - I almost wet my pants. Yes, there was crowd participation in the song and yes, I did take place. Another early song was great to hear. Very upbeat and a crowd pleaser to say the least.
Stolen Away On 55th & 3rd - Nice beats and sax. More mellow than the rest on that cd.
*Stand Up - So then Dave walks up to the mic. 'Yeah, we've got a friend in town...He just happened to pass by and we couldnt resist not having him..so...' Then the stage crew brings out his steel guitar and I knew it had to be Robert Randolph. Crowd went nuts. They played and of course it was insane.
*Louisiana Bayou - Ok, here's where it got gross, They play the song. Randolphs strings are squealing. Towards the end they all go into this huge long jam. Boyd (violin) walks over to Randolph, Dave joins, followed by Stefan (bass). One big freakin jam. It was insane. Robert was literally licking the strings to play, standing up, bending and kicking his feet. By now the roof was blown off. It was so loud and psychotic nobody knew what to do. People were in tears it was so great.
So that ended. The band and Randolph all leave the stage. And about 12 people around me collapsed and died.
But we weren't leaving without an encore. Everyone either had a lighter or a phone lit and held up in the air. It was seriously like Christmas in NYC. And it was loud as hell.
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Encore:
American Baby - Dave walks back out after about 8 minutes. 'I heard ya'll.....' *crowd cheering* '...Y'know we've got some heroes in the house tonight...' He was talking about some vets and marines that had been in the hospital recently. He thanked them for their contribution to their country saying how having fun like tonight could not be possible without them. And then went on to play this song. Patriotic? Yes.
*All Along The Watchtower - I wanted him to play this so bad and was shouting "Watchtower!". Yeah, I know he didn't hear me but they played it. Randolph's back and it's Watchtower so there was hell to pay. It started off with Stefan's classic bass solo at the beginning (amazing) and then began Dave's lyrics "There must be some kind of way out of here...." *crowd cheers of course* The music was soft but then elevated where Dave screams "The hour is getting laaattteee!!!" The place detonated. Glass shattered, babies cried, and hell was brought.
Guest Appearence:
* Robert Randolph
In conclusion, I'm now currently deaf in both ears, I've witnessed 5 deaths, I think Dave's head exploded and somewhere during the last minute of the show my whole life flashed before my eyes.
This was truly one of the greatest moments of my life and it's quite clear that Dave puts on the best show around. Chad and I had the time of our lives. If you have not gone to a concert...Go! And at least voice your opinion.
We then got some Burger King and watched Black Hawk Down til about 3. 
Sunday, Jun 26th 2005
Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge, VA
Simply Phenomenal | | |
| Well, I'm sitting here in a hotel suite somewhere in Bristow VA. About 4 hour away from Dave. It looks like the only way in and out is two single-laned roads somewhere in colonial battlefield country. It's nice out here in Virginia. I feel powerful in this upperclass.
I'm really hoping Dave plays Watchtower tonight along with a couple other crowd favorites. I'll also try to take a few pics with my phone...since they don't allow cameras. The following items are also not permitted: No cans, bottles, bags, backpacks, large purses (larger than 12x12”), alcohol, beverages, cameras, video recording devices, coolers, laser pointers, strollers, pets, fireworks or weapons are allowed. | | |
| - -The Wonder Years
A lonely Friday night:
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| - Theme
New Calendar
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