Finally, a reason to venture to Long Island.

Summer would not be the same without hitting up a few Dave Matthews Band shows. Their current tour is back in town, this time setting up camp at the Jones Beach Theater on Long Island. This was my first time at the theater and I admit that the setting on a warm & sunny cool and cloudy summer evening is a terrific sight. The stage is backed up to the water's edge, giving the fans a clear view of ocean on the horizon. Maybe Long Island isn’t all that bad after all. Bah!

Here’s my nerdy take (YouTube links included!) for your mid-day entertainment. Don’t say I don’t try to keep you Cats entertained at work.


Funny The Way It Is - new single, makes sense.
You Might Die Trying - meh, standard set placement for a night one show.
Seven - second new song, keep pushing that album boys.
Everyday - mellow and short.
Squirm - the rain saves this one.
Dreaming Tree – honestly boys, love the song but this is not a how-slow-can-you-go show.
Lying In the Hands of God – I’d like my 11 minutes back please.
Burning Down The House – great way to wake up the crowd.
Where Are You Going – to the bathroom, that's where. Great way to kill the crowd.
Spaceman (into) – whoa, do you guys have new album out??
Corn Bread – crowd loves the beat, goes nuts for Dave’s dance antics.
Shake Me Like a Monkey – now we’re talking. RCA execs should take note and make this the next single.
Louisiana Bayou – Boyd Tinsley on the violin, ladies and gents.
#41 – Jeff (sax) and Carter (drums) duel. No really. Incredible.
Don’t Drink the Water – solid closer, standard.

Encore break – Pretty standard show for ’09, especially considering they’ll be back tomorrow. Highlights of the main set include Shake Me and #41. Crowd pleasing? Absolutely. Groundbreaking? Not until the encore.

(#40) – there’s something to say about the way a song, played by one man among a sea of thousands, can silence a room. Words change every time because, well, there are no words for it. Beautiful.
Rye Whiskey – who doesn’t love a little Pete Seeger? Tons of heart.
All Along The Watchtower – I’ve seen this song too many times as the encore closer. But a Stairway to Heaven bass solo --> Watchtower --> Stairway outro was a first for both the band and the 13,000 screaming, singing lunatics in the stands.

Now that I’ve maxed out the DMB nerdiness of this post, here’s a picture:



Back for more tomorrow. Cheers.