West Coast Reviews: Staples, Chula, Phoenix [Archive]

AntsCrushMe

09-04-2008, 12:57 PM

3-4-5 West Coast DMB Tour 3 Cities, 4 Shows, 5 Days

My west coast DMB Tour began on Monday August 18th, when I flew from Chicago To L.A. I had never been to LA before so I was very excited for that fact alone. I was meeting my good friend Corey (he attends grad school at USC) who is just as big of a fan as I am (in fact we met at a DMB show back in 06).

The first evening we took kind of chill. Relaxed, watched the Radio City Blu-Ray on his new HD flat screen. Then we headed out to a bar in Beverly Hills. Sat around enjoying 8 dollar Stellas and caught up. Midnight rolled around and we decided to leave. The valet cars were parked in the front drive and there had to be over $2 million dollars worth of exotic and luxury cars; BMWs, Mercedes, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini to name off the top of my head. (I love cars and love seeing them, Corey told me its typical of Beverly Hills)

August 19 (Staples N1)

Finally the day had come that we had been waiting for all summer, the 1st show of our 4 show run at the Staples Center. We had taken the day pretty lazy, playing video games, watching DMB and reading up on the message boards. In the early afternoon about 3pm or so we headed out to a bar to meet up with some members from the AntsMarching.org message board but we got there early with intentions to leave early so we could get in the venue to buy a poster. After a few beers and playing DMB over the jukebox we got a scary call from one of the other Ants members who we were meeting, rumor has it that LeRoi Moore had died. We quickly paid our tab and were in a sort of panic mode. More Ants were arriving to the bar as we left so we quickly said hello and bye as the rumors were flying. Corey and I began dialing every DMB fan in our phones to find out any details. The rumor was on a tabloid website, so we thought it might be false. After speaking to and texting a few different people as we power walked our way to the Staples Center my nerves became more uneasy. Everyone we spoke with was in a panic and nervous about the rumors.

We arrived at the Staples Center in what seemed to be only a minute and got in line. The security guys had no idea what we were talking about and as far as they knew, the show was still on. Finally they let us in, we scoop up a poster and headed to the 3rd level sky deck for phone reception and to enjoy the weather. Now we are getting rumors that CNN is reporting this, and local Charlottesville news channels are reporting the same thing. I was on the phone with my parents as they search the net and finally got a text from a friend, Red Light Management confirms that the rumor was true. LeRoi Moore had passed due to complications from his ATV accident back in June. Just at that moment Corey was able to get the DMB homepage up on his phone to see this picture:

The rumors were true. Corey and I were in disbelief. One of the founding members, key components of the Dave Matthews Band was gone. It was a surreal and extremely upsetting moment. I was almost in shock and my mind was racing trying to run through every situation as to how this could have happen. After discussing more things about Roi with Corey we decided to head to our seats. This show…this day... is one that will never be forgotten. We honestly could not believe that the band was playing tonight.

I have no pictures because we knew the Staples Center had metal detectors so it would be nearly impossible to sneak my camera in.

The Show:

The screen was down and we were waiting nervously, the crowed seemed really fired up because I think the majority did not know what had happen yet. Bartender opener, by far the best version I have ever heard. Dave hit the wails like never before. Jeff Coffin played the PennyWhistle during the end just as LeRoi would and it was surreal. He even did Roi's famous "If I only had a brain" Interpolation. Dave hit every note as it should have been and fans around were teary eyed.

The band all looked very upset, I mean bags under the eyes, no smiles, (I have never not seen Carter smile..well except trench coat guy in C-Ville in 2006 but that was anger). I was still so suprised that they were going on.

After Bartender, Dave approached the mic and spoke these words "Very good to be here, we are very glad to be together. Just want to tell you all that we had some bad news today, due to some complications, since some injuries he received a little earlier this summer, our good friend LeRoi Moore passed on and gave up his ghost up today and we will miss him forever." The crowd cheered with yells of love for LeRoi. Dave's voice was very choked up saying those words and I will tear up every time I hear them.

They immediately went into Proudest Monkey and in the middle of the song; I (as did others) actually saw tears from Carter. A man who never frowns and was upset like that while playing is so surreal to see. Again this day I am at a loss for words, I won't break down every single song, however the energy went up and Dave mentioned they would be playing some of Roi's favorite songs. Dave thanked the crowd for raising up the bands spirits and that it's always easier to leave than to be left.

After the main set Dave came out and told a story about LeRoi: "The first time I heard Roi play I was at this bar in Virginia and Roi on rare occasion liked to drink a little bit, and I remember that he had quite a bit and the stage was right near the cash register and he went over to the cash register because there was a counter and he lent on it because standing had become somewhat of a chore. And so he lent up against it, got his elbows free and played the most beautiful version of Somewhere over the rainbow I have ever heard in my whole life. But if I could I would, but I just wanted to tell that story because that's the day I fell in love with him and I am still in love with him through the thick and the thin. Me and Carter want to do this song. (Sister) I am very grateful that I got to be with such a wonderful group of men and tour around with such an amazing group of people. And days like today make you think man are we lucky to have what little or how much we have in the world and the time we get together are invaluable, enjoy all you can cause you get snuffed out pretty suddenly, make you think of all the things you wish you had said" (I think that's what he says at the end, I transcribed this from the tape the best I could)

The crowd kept chanting LeRoi. It was an epic and unforgettable night. I feel Dave Matthews Band is one of the top acts in the entire world for doing what that did given the circumstances. They are professional and I will continue to support this band and LeRoi for the rest of my life.

From dmband.com:
"We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program."

Post show it seemed everyone was still in shock a bit from the news. Corey and I walked home with a friend from AntsMarching and after hitting the internet for news about it, we passed out from physical and mental exhaustion.

DMB Road Crew Notes:

As we sat this afternoon contemplating the loss of our brother, we wondered how we could possibly do a show today. Dave put it into perspective stating, "There's no place I'd rather be than here with you guys right now." We cherish special memories of our lost friend. Tonight, Dave told a story about LeRoi at a bar in Virginia where the cash register was near the stage and LeRoi leaned on the register because "standing had become a chore". Roi proceeded to play the most beautiful version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Dave said, "that was the day I fell in love with him. And I'm still in love with him." It's safe to say we all were in love with him. "It's always easier to leave, than to be left." -DM

The DMB Crew
Wednesday, August 20
12:27 AM PDT

August 20 (Staples N2)

Today we skipped the bar and only had a few beers at the apartment while watching the Listener Supported and Piedmont Park DVDs. We decided to get to the venue early again but we weren't even sure if they would be playing. We found nothing on the net. So once we got in we enjoyed the company of some new friends on the 3rd level sky deck and headed to our seats again. This time our seats were really good, (section 101 row 5) and we loved it. The crowd chanted LeRoi as the band came on stage.

Seek Up opener, Dave did mention a few songs in about Roi again and thanking the crowd for the support and that this night was for him as well. He then said before Rhyme and Reason that it was one of Roi's favorite songs. Then later in the night right before 41 Dave mentioned that "This may surprise you or not but this song, LeRoi haaated this song". It made the crowd laugh.

Again I am not doing a song by song breakdown. The band seemed in a better mood and were very energetic.

The shock was settling in but as Dave said, I personally would not want to be anywhere else other than were I was (seeing DMB) and who I was with (Corey) at those moments.

Corey and I were able to get a cab, a pizza and pass out yet again. We had just the experience of a lifetime. I will never forget these 2 nights.

August 21

Today was our off day of DMB and we needed it. I had never been to LA so we took our minds off of the band and Roi for a while and Corey gave me a tour. We first headed out to Griffith Park to see a view of the city, the smog and the Hollywood sign:

After that we headed to Hollywood Boulevard. We walked around on the Stars, saw the Chinese Theatre and handprints, walked around the Highland and Hollywood Promenade.

After a quick lunch at CPK we went to Santa Monica, walked around the little promenade area there, checked out the Pacific Ocean and then shoved off for home.

Later that evening we met some of Corey's friends at a bar next to Sony Picture Studios called Backstage. Enjoyed a few drinks while watching the Olympics and listening to karaoke. After that we headed down "The Row" or USC's Greek Row. It was rush week and Thursday was the biggest party night. There were literally thousands of people, police helicopter presence and riot teams ready to move. It was interesting, we did not attend any of the frat parties but it was more of an observational walk of drunken kids which was fun and funny. We had to get up anyway early to head to San Diego for the shows in Chula Vista.

August 22 (Chula Vista)

We woke up early and left about 9:30 or 10 to head out to San Diego. It was only a quick 2 hour drive. After arriving we stopped for some lunch and gas. We really didn't know anyone (our friends were at work) and had nothing else to do so we went to the venue with hope of the lots opening early. We got there about 1:30 to find another car in line! He had this sign on the back of his car:

Hung out and as others arrived made some new friends. Finally the lots opened about 3pm and we were tailgating (I am used to Alpine tailgating and this didn't compare but still fun!) We met some friends from New York, California and Arizona. We finally met up with Corey's friends (and my new friends). After doing a bit of harder partying that we did the past few nights we were revved up and ready for the show. (Chula tailgate Sunset)

Another Bartender opener was a treat! A cool moment during Stolen Away; Fonz played the upright bass! I definitely did not expect that. He also did an amazing intro to Crush (which honestly tricked me for a new song at first) Sugar Will was also a big surprise! I have not heard it in person since 2004 so I was really excited. On top of that Danny Barnes came out and jammed on the banjo during cornbread.

Overall this show was very very good there was no mention of LeRoi, however people were talking about it. (No camera again in this show).

Post show we hung out in the lots and later then followed our friends to crash at their place. After stopping at an authentic taco stand we were asleep by 1am.

August 23 (Phoenix)

Waking up at a quarter to 7 after a DMB show isn't an easy thing to do but we had a 5 hour drive to Phoenix ahead of us. I-8 nearly touches the Mexico border so we had quite a fun drive. The scenery was beautiful (as you can see).

Corey drove 2.5 hours in Cali and we switched at lunch time in Yuma and I drove the rest of the way to Phoenix. AC was blasting and DMB blaring as we flew through the desert anticipating the last night's show.

We arrived at the hotel and man is it HOT in Phoenix. We took a nap, ate some lunch and my brother and his buddy arrived. (my brother is in school 2 hours north of PHX). We stayed inside drank a bit and then walked to the show. Tailgating was very weak so we headed in and hung around inside the venue people watching and making friends. The show was again rockin (this band never disappoints). The 3rd Bartender opener was awesome not to mention, Sugar Will 2 nights in a row!!! Crazy!! Oh and did I mention Danny Barnes again, and he SCATTED into the mic during Cornbread!?! I got my camera in this time.

Also check out the video of Carters Drum Solo during Two Step. It was another great show that closed out my summer tour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvx5KswlauE (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9VXZ4NU tzd2xhdUU=)

This mini west coast tour was a blast and I am still exhausted from it as I write this today. My heart goes out to LeRoi, his family, the band, everyone associated with the band, and to the fans showing the tremendous support in this sad time. LeRoi and I share the same birthday (September 7) and I have always felt that personal connection with him because of that. He will never be forgotten and will go down in history as one of the greatest sax players that ever lived. Remember Roi.

I am sad to see the summer come to an end as I finished up my 8 show summer tour. I met many great new friends and saw some old ones. I am looking forward to what the future holds from this band because it will most certainly move upward and forward from here. Remember Roi.

Please support the band, dont pay for live recordings, support LeRoi Moore and his family during this time and please DONT go to the funeral that is happening this week, respect his privacy.

I love comments and questions so send anything my way!

Once again, please keep LeRoi, his family and the band in your thoughts.

thank you to my friends Laura, Andrew, Julie, Rob, Mike, and others who provided information to me in a time of need