Gorge Review

[martymjm]

So our first trip to the Gorge was Amazing, it is more beautiful than I imagined and the shows were great. My wife and I have been planning this for years and this year we finally pulled the trigger. The 3 night run was to mark sort of our "end" with regular DMB shows. We have been attending 2-3 shows a year every year since 1996 and have been listening religiously since 1993. We love them and at the same time felt that DMB had grown a bit stale recently... hey maybe it is just us. I have also had this strange feeling since the end of last year that 2009 was the year they would take off for a while or have a smaller tour, who knows maybe they will just keep rolling... anyway... We still plan on catching a show here and there in the future but this trip WAS to go out in style with the band we love for our last multiple show run. Then So much changed when LeRoi passed away and the feeling of going out there changed to more somber, it was still fun and it was a celebration but not the same one we or anyone else wanted.

Over the past few weeks, I have realized more and more that it was LeRoi made me fall in love with this music, his sound and the things he added were what drew me to the music, I always knew it but it was front and center this weekend for obvious reasons.

N1- The most emotional show I have ever seen, it was heavy with sorrow, after seen these I can't imagine waht the Staples shows were like. The band played with great power and purpose but you could tell it was extremely hard for them even a struggle at times. The band was on and it was great, after 30+ shows I have seen this is one up there at the top performance wise. My first show without Leroi and you can tell the difference, it smacked me in the face from the first note. Coffin is great, in fact amazing at times but it isn't the same and it never will be. the crowd was great, we were in section B row 27. Tears, smiles and hugs were going around.

The most emotional part of N1 was the glow sticks when they put the picture of Leroi up and it lasts about 5-7 minutes, which is a really long time for the band to just stop and watch the crowd but they did, they were all tearing up. Boyd stopped to wipe away tears. Rashawn kept shaking his head and crying. Everyone has their moments in the crowd and up on stage but Rashawn was noticeably emotional the entire weekend.

#41 begins. Dave struggled to sing this song. When he says "i wanted to stay, i wanted to play, i wanted to love you," he couldn't do it. You could see the tears, the pain, the confusion, the heartbreak, the struggle to perform which is when I started to cry...again. Actually i cried during bartender and some of the others too. It was so sad to watch at times and you can tell that they had to pull energy from deep within themselves. As a fan and a human being you just want to go over and give them a hug and say thanks, sorry, etc.

Burning Down the House- Great cover, they do it really well, fits nicely. Great show to start out the weekend


N2- Lawn---- FROZE but still had a great time. The sound was off a bit up on the lawn due to the wind but the show was great. The band struggled a bit with emotions but it was better then N1. the Dreaming Tree opener followed by One Sweet World was great. Sugar Will was outstanding and was very emotional for everyone, I saw alot of tears and hugs again out on the lawn... I also saw alot of "fans" who were drunk idiots during the show but that is part of the experience.

Overall the set was great.

N3-- I was hoping that the band could have some Fun up on stage then the first two nights, I always loved how they smiled and joked on stage, part of the fun for me of going to a DMB show was always seeing that fun that they had on stage. N3 started great with Seek Up and they rolled through the first few songs with a bit of sadness but it was not as bad the first 2 nights. the set seemed to break after #41, the Maker and Where are you going? run. When they went into Drive in Drive out they seemed to have more fun and let loose a bit.... Then watchtower to close the set was just a complete release for Dave, they nailed it and it was great way to end the set. The Encore was just plain fun, crowd singing Ants and then Thank You... Not a huge fan of Thank you but everyone had a lot of fun with it and seemed to fit the end of the show and the weekend. Fun song for an emotionally draining weekend, again a great show even with Dave's voice being shot!


Highlights:
-The Gorge... amazing is all I can say, I hope to get back there one day. Amazing place and Amazing view.

-#34 tribute to LeRoi between the Encore and set. Great stuff!

-This band has major balls to pull this off, it was amazingly sad and beautiful at the same time. They struggled N1 and N2 and the first part of N3 with emotions. They make always made is so effortlessly fun over the years but these shows and I am sure the Staples shows etc. They had to concentrate and fight back the tears to get through. They deserve all the credit in the world for going out there while grieving.

-OAR- They are good, but I just don't get the appeal...

-Camping- Great weather. Cold on Saturday night and a little rain on Sunday other than that Awesome!

-Dust was everywhere in the Gorge premier camping, I am still chewing on some of it!

-The people... the fans.. Great time seeing so many people genuinely into the band and the music. Thanks for sharing the fun and the tears this weekend. Just a great time.. Thanks!

-The weekend was amazing, sad, fun, and will stick with me forever. If you love live music, you owe it to yourself to see a show at the Gorge, it will blow you mind when you walk to the top of the hill and see it. no picture can do it justice.

Finally I hope the band can make it through all this and play in some form in the future... But for me after hearing them live without LeRoi.... it is over for me knowing I will never get that same feeling again from hearing that sound.... The sound is just not the same without LeRoi and that makes me sad... Very Sad. From the opening note of Bartender, I felt it and it hit me hard. It is not the same and it never will be. I consider myself lucky to have seen them so many times and have great memories over the years and this weekend added to them even though it was different. I will still catch a Dave Matthews show from time to time... hard to kick a habit!

Last but not least. Thank you again to the Dave Matthews Band. Great times over the years and a Great weekend.

Thanks for reading and sorry for ramblin...

:leroi

[Dreamingcedar22]

So our first trip to the Gorge was Amazing, it is more beautiful than I imagined and the shows were great. My wife and I have been planning this for years and this year we finally pulled the trigger. The 3 night run was to mark sort of our "end" with regular DMB shows. We have been attending 2-3 shows a year every year since 1996 and have been listening religiously since 1993. We love them and at the same time felt that DMB had grown a bit stale recently... hey maybe it is just us. I have also had this strange feeling since the end of last year that 2009 was the year they would take off for a while or have a smaller tour, who knows maybe they will just keep rolling... anyway... We still plan on catching a show here and there in the future but this trip WAS to go out in style with the band we love for our last multiple show run. Then So much changed when LeRoi passed away and the feeling of going out there changed to more somber, it was still fun and it was a celebration but not the same one we or anyone else wanted.

Over the past few weeks, I have realized more and more that it was LeRoi made me fall in love with this music, his sound and the things he added were what drew me to the music, I always knew it but it was front and center this weekend for obvious reasons.

N1- The most emotional show I have ever seen, it was heavy with sorrow, after seen these I can't imagine waht the Staples shows were like. The band played with great power and purpose but you could tell it was extremely hard for them even a struggle at times. The band was on and it was great, after 30+ shows I have seen this is one up there at the top performance wise. My first show without Leroi and you can tell the difference, it smacked me in the face from the first note. Coffin is great, in fact amazing at times but it isn't the same and it never will be. the crowd was great, we were in section B row 27. Tears, smiles and hugs were going around.

The most emotional part of N1 was the glow sticks when they put the picture of Leroi up and it lasts about 5-7 minutes, which is a really long time for the band to just stop and watch the crowd but they did, they were all tearing up. Boyd stopped to wipe away tears. Rashawn kept shaking his head and crying. Everyone has their moments in the crowd and up on stage but Rashawn was noticeably emotional the entire weekend.

#41 begins. Dave struggled to sing this song. When he says "i wanted to stay, i wanted to play, i wanted to love you," he couldn't do it. You could see the tears, the pain, the confusion, the heartbreak, the struggle to perform which is when I started to cry...again. Actually i cried during bartender and some of the others too. It was so sad to watch at times and you can tell that they had to pull energy from deep within themselves. As a fan and a human being you just want to go over and give them a hug and say thanks, sorry, etc.

Burning Down the House- Great cover, they do it really well, fits nicely. Great show to start out the weekend


N2- Lawn---- FROZE but still had a great time. The sound was off a bit up on the lawn due to the wind but the show was great. The band struggled a bit with emotions but it was better then N1. the Dreaming Tree opener followed by One Sweet World was great. Sugar Will was outstanding and was very emotional for everyone, I saw alot of tears and hugs again out on the lawn... I also saw alot of "fans" who were drunk idiots during the show but that is part of the experience.

Overall the set was great.

N3-- I was hoping that the band could have some Fun up on stage then the first two nights, I always loved how they smiled and joked on stage, part of the fun for me of going to a DMB show was always seeing that fun that they had on stage. N3 started great with Seek Up and they rolled through the first few songs with a bit of sadness but it was not as bad the first 2 nights. the set seemed to break after #41, the Maker and Where are you going? run. When they went into Drive in Drive out they seemed to have more fun and let loose a bit.... Then watchtower to close the set was just a complete release for Dave, they nailed it and it was great way to end the set. The Encore was just plain fun, crowd singing Ants and then Thank You... Not a huge fan of Thank you but everyone had a lot of fun with it and seemed to fit the end of the show and the weekend. Fun song for an emotionally draining weekend, again a great show even with Dave's voice being shot!


Highlights:
-The Gorge... amazing is all I can say, I hope to get back there one day. Amazing place and Amazing view.

-#34 tribute to LeRoi between the Encore and set. Great stuff!

-This band has major balls to pull this off, it was amazingly sad and beautiful at the same time. They struggled N1 and N2 and the first part of N3 with emotions. They make always made is so effortlessly fun over the years but these shows and I am sure the Staples shows etc. They had to concentrate and fight back the tears to get through. They deserve all the credit in the world for going out there while grieving.

-OAR- They are good, but I just don't get the appeal...

-Camping- Great weather. Cold on Saturday night and a little rain on Sunday other than that Awesome!

-Dust was everywhere in the Gorge premier camping, I am still chewing on some of it!

-The people... the fans.. Great time seeing so many people genuinely into the band and the music. Thanks for sharing the fun and the tears this weekend. Just a great time.. Thanks!

-The weekend was amazing, sad, fun, and will stick with me forever. If you love live music, you owe it to yourself to see a show at the Gorge, it will blow you mind when you walk to the top of the hill and see it. no picture can do it justice.

Finally I hope the band can make it through all this and play in some form in the future... But for me after hearing them live without LeRoi.... it is over for me knowing I will never get that same feeling again from hearing that sound.... The sound is just not the same without LeRoi and that makes me sad... Very Sad. From the opening note of Bartender, I felt it and it hit me hard. It is not the same and it never will be. I consider myself lucky to have seen them so many times and have great memories over the years and this weekend added to them even though it was different. I will still catch a Dave Matthews show from time to time... hard to kick a habit!

Last but not least. Thank you again to the Dave Matthews Band. Great times over the years and a Great weekend.

Thanks for reading and sorry for ramblin...

:leroi


Great review and post. I never post on here, mainly because I can't handle all the bickering and nonsense, so its nice to see someone put together a well thought out and heartfelt review. I too felt different about these shows and have every reason to believe that its because the leroi sound is gone. That being said, I went into this weekend just thankful they were playing (this was my 9th year at the gorge) and came away with even more respect for a band I love. I don't think most people realize that, especially for us northwest folks, the gorge holds a special place in our hearts and I personally don't compare shows and nor do I care "which venue is best." Its just an amazing place to be, period. Its about the experience, the view, and the music. I wish the fans would stop spending so much time arguing about things like the best shows of the year and the best venue, and tim vs. butch (and seriously, why is THAT even a question?) and just appreciate that YOUR band just went through an amazing loss and they have kept on playing for YOU. Appreciate it, don't tear it apart.

I think I have reached my 5 post limit for the year. see y'all next year.

[martymjm]

Great review and post. I never post on here, mainly because I can't handle all the bickering and nonsense, so its nice to see someone put together a well thought out and heartfelt review. I too felt different about these shows and have every reason to believe that its because the leroi sound is gone. That being said, I went into this weekend just thankful they were playing (this was my 9th year at the gorge) and came away with even more respect for a band I love. I don't think most people realize that, especially for us northwest folks, the gorge holds a special place in our hearts and I personally don't compare shows and nor do I care "which venue is best." Its just an amazing place to be, period. Its about the experience, the view, and the music. I wish the fans would stop spending so much time arguing about things like the best shows of the year and the best venue, and tim vs. butch (and seriously, why is THAT even a question?) and just appreciate that YOUR band just went through an amazing loss and they have kept on playing for YOU. Appreciate it, don't tear it apart.

I think I have reached my 5 post limit for the year. see y'all next year.


Thanks and I agree with you on all accounts!

[gorgefan36]

Great review and post. I never post on here, mainly because I can't handle all the bickering and nonsense, so its nice to see someone put together a well thought out and heartfelt review. I too felt different about these shows and have every reason to believe that its because the leroi sound is gone. That being said, I went into this weekend just thankful they were playing (this was my 9th year at the gorge) and came away with even more respect for a band I love. I don't think most people realize that, especially for us northwest folks, the gorge holds a special place in our hearts and I personally don't compare shows and nor do I care "which venue is best." Its just an amazing place to be, period. Its about the experience, the view, and the music. I wish the fans would stop spending so much time arguing about things like the best shows of the year and the best venue, and tim vs. butch (and seriously, why is THAT even a question?) and just appreciate that YOUR band just went through an amazing loss and they have kept on playing for YOU. Appreciate it, don't tear it apart.

I think I have reached my 5 post limit for the year. see y'all next year.

I agree with you, especially on the NW part!! Good to see another Eastern Washingtonian around here!!! The gorge is an amazing place to celebrate life, and we definitely celebrated LeRoi's wonderful life and memory this weekend.

Anybody who is complaining wasn't there.... and I'm sure they're just jealous ;)

[Flip36]

id like to see a vid of #41 with the emotion, i hear the tapes i can just imagine what it was like.

[Dreamingcedar22]

I agree with you, especially on the NW part!! Good to see another Eastern Washingtonian around here!!! The gorge is an amazing place to celebrate life, and we definitely celebrated LeRoi's wonderful life and memory this weekend.

Anybody who is complaining wasn't there.... and I'm sure they're just jealous ;)

yes, there are so few of us eastern washington folks around here! ya know, its not like we have 15 venues where DMB play in a 100 mile radius. I don't know why folks hype up the gorge so much. I never go into it thinking "this year is going to be amazing." I just go, have a good time, and appreciate the music. It must be the out of towners. They just wish they had heavens ampitheatre in their state! ;) oh, and everything else that kicks ass in Washington :lol

[megntrav]

there is a video of 41 on you tube.

[Kevaroo]

Making the Trek from Florida for the second time, I couldn't tell it better great review. Listening now to the tapes for the first time. Extremely sad. All you "NW"ers never take the Gorge for granted, there is no place in the world like it.

[dinkyvision]

This was my first trip to the Gorge. Amazing venue for sure. Band was superb as usual....

but a few thoughts....

I was at N2 and N3 (seats N2, Lawn N3)

Have to say the audio was BAD. WAY too quiet. Couldnt believe how hard it was to even hear some lyrics at times. Not sure what was up with that, but it could have been MUCH louder. N3 in the lawn was almost impossible to hear. Basically sounded like crowd chatter 90% of the time, with bits of dmb songs in between.

Was expecting alot more die hard fans. Saw tons of people just gabbing on their phones during the shows, random disrespect in general. Lots of people that induldge WAY too much at this venue. Sure, we like to drink and party at the shows, but I get so tired of people that obviously cant handle their liquor and just act like an ass because of it. The 40 year old dudes that act like they are still in a frat and think they are 21 years old are just sad.

Setlists were great. Could have done without ASTB and Cornbread, but whatever.... Was also suprised at the lack of segues into other songs. One of my favorite parts of the shows are how they jam from one into another. Seemed to be alot more breaks between songs.

Venue is beautiful. Simply amazing. Crow control was ok considering the amount of people... but the vending (food, merch...) was HORRIBLE. The staff at every stand I went to was on half speed, messing up orders, just rude in general. Should NOT have to wait for 40 minutes to get a hot dog when there are only 8 people in front of you. They need to get some more compitent staffers for the booths.

[Strangely Brown]

this may be a little bit of a random observation but I thought they really nailed the WAYG N3...for all the grief this one gets due to its radio play I enjoyed it a lot...

I heard it in the airport bar on the way out before flight so this way my little omen that I'd be loving it this weekend.

we had a fantastic time like everyone else. just a wonderful weekend and great/memorable shows.

[martymjm]

this may be a little bit of a random observation but I thought they really nailed the WAYG N3...for all the grief this one gets due to its radio play I enjoyed it a lot...

I heard it in the airport bar on the way out before flight so this way my little omen that I'd be loving it this weekend.

we had a fantastic time like everyone else. just a wonderful weekend and great/memorable shows.


I thought the same thing about WAYG. Great version

[Cyndiotta]

Great review Marty...for the same reasons as Dreamingcedar22 mentioned, I too never felt the need to get involved in any of the silliness that goes on in here by posting , however I wanted to say, for those of us who have been kicking around for years, your post rings true.....I enjoyed the read and it made me feel very nostalgic. No need to add more ...except... thank you !

[tre4dmb]

Marty, nice summary. I have a little different perspective on just a few things, which I think are interesting and demonstrate that everyone gets something different from art. I was there all three nights as well, sitting in various seated locations (C30, B22, and A28).

N1 was super emotional for sure. I usually don't pay a great deal of attention to what is happenning up on stage - I tend to get immersed in the music, dance, sing, etc. I also thought N1 was musically very good. The band was on.

I thought on N2 the band was off. I couldn't tell if it was sadness or just a let down from the prior night's emotion. I've been through some suffering in my time and usually after a powerful emotional experience, there is a let down. I remember Dave appologizing for being "just so.... well so". That's the great thing about seeing 3 shows in a weekend - you get the full gammit of the DMB experience.

N3 I thought was amazing. What I really noticed was the energy of both the band and crowd. Everything gel'd. The crowd was sympathetic, but aggressive at the same time. It wanted to release, let go of everything and enjoy the moment. In the face of some real suffering, the band gave in to that and joined in it, I think. The result was I think the best show I've seen, granted I have not seen lots of shows in lots of venues. The band, and Dave especially with his waning voice, gave it up.

More generally, one of the things I loved was Tim. I've always thought DMB needed a lead guitar (and an electric one) - Dave plays rhythm. Tim had moments of brilliance and added to the stage presence. And Jeff is amazing. The sound is different, but nothing lasts forever. There is no past and there is no future - Dave knows this, and writes about it, all too well. I loved it. Yeah, the sound and vibe is differerent, but like you said, DMB may have been getting a little stale. Throw a Jeff Corwin and a Tim Reynolds into the mix, and it was new.

The other thing is, one of the reasons I love DMB is the vibe at the shows. The fans are positive and are there for positive messages about life. That's Dave. I've lost some very close family members in my relatively short life, and it's true, it's never the same after. And sometimes, it's better.

[courtzdmb]

Nice review Marty. I still haven't been to the Gorge to see DMB but that is one of my goals as a fan it's just hard being that I am all the way across the country. It will happen some day, I just wish I could have gone last weekend! I know it would have been hard to get through the shows without tearing up but I think it would have been worth it to experience it all.

And to everyone that's complaining about the drunks in the crowd, I couldn't agree more. The one thing that really bothers me is when you are trying to have a good time and some drunken idiot jumps in front of you in the lawn trying to dance and pretend like they know what's going on and nearly falls on top of you. And then you got the people that pass out in their seats in the middle of a show and of course you got all of the kids who look like they're not even old enough to be wasted stumbling all over the place. I've seen all of that at the shows I went to this summer, it's so incredibly annoying. Why spend so much money on a ticket if you're not going to remember it the next day? That just baffles me.

Sorry to ramble. Great review though, if you haven't seen the #41 video on youtube, check it out, it will make you tear up for sure.

[martymjm]

Marty, nice summary. I have a little different perspective on just a few things, which I think are interesting and demonstrate that everyone gets something different from art. I was there all three nights as well, sitting in various seated locations (C30, B22, and A28).

N1 was super emotional for sure. I usually don't pay a great deal of attention to what is happenning up on stage - I tend to get immersed in the music, dance, sing, etc. I also thought N1 was musically very good. The band was on.

I thought on N2 the band was off. I couldn't tell if it was sadness or just a let down from the prior night's emotion. I've been through some suffering in my time and usually after a powerful emotional experience, there is a let down. I remember Dave appologizing for being "just so.... well so". That's the great thing about seeing 3 shows in a weekend - you get the full gammit of the DMB experience.

N3 I thought was amazing. What I really noticed was the energy of both the band and crowd. Everything gel'd. The crowd was sympathetic, but aggressive at the same time. It wanted to release, let go of everything and enjoy the moment. In the face of some real suffering, the band gave in to that and joined in it, I think. The result was I think the best show I've seen, granted I have not seen lots of shows in lots of venues. The band, and Dave especially with his waning voice, gave it up.

More generally, one of the things I loved was Tim. I've always thought DMB needed a lead guitar (and an electric one) - Dave plays rhythm. Tim had moments of brilliance and added to the stage presence. And Jeff is amazing. The sound is different, but nothing lasts forever. There is no past and there is no future - Dave knows this, and writes about it, all too well. I loved it. Yeah, the sound and vibe is differerent, but like you said, DMB may have been getting a little stale. Throw a Jeff Corwin and a Tim Reynolds into the mix, and it was new.

The other thing is, one of the reasons I love DMB is the vibe at the shows. The fans are positive and are there for positive messages about life. That's Dave. I've lost some very close family members in my relatively short life, and it's true, it's never the same after. And sometimes, it's better.


I agree with N2... they were off a little bit. to be Honest I think Mr. matthews was a bit drunk.

And Yes N3 things came together.

[Dreamingcedar22]

Nice review Marty. I still haven't been to the Gorge to see DMB but that is one of my goals as a fan it's just hard being that I am all the way across the country. It will happen some day, I just wish I could have gone last weekend! I know it would have been hard to get through the shows without tearing up but I think it would have been worth it to experience it all.

And to everyone that's complaining about the drunks in the crowd, I couldn't agree more. The one thing that really bothers me is when you are trying to have a good time and some drunken idiot jumps in front of you in the lawn trying to dance and pretend like they know what's going on and nearly falls on top of you. And then you got the people that pass out in their seats in the middle of a show and of course you got all of the kids who look like they're not even old enough to be wasted stumbling all over the place. I've seen all of that at the shows I went to this summer, it's so incredibly annoying. Why spend so much money on a ticket if you're not going to remember it the next day? That just baffles me.

Sorry to ramble. Great review though, if you haven't seen the #41 video on youtube, check it out, it will make you tear up for sure.


I don't worry about the drunks. From my experience, the drunks and the toddlers usually either pass out or take off running somewhere by the third or fourth song. so, next time, just relax, they'll end up lying in their own puke soon enough. The thing about the DMB gorge weekend is that, due to the lack of venues in the northwest and the fact that the gorge is THAT amazing, you get a lot of people who just come out for the party. Its okay by me, I get it. I just have to remind myself why I am there.

[courtzdmb]

I don't worry about the drunks. From my experience, the drunks and the toddlers usually either pass out or take off running somewhere by the third or fourth song. so, next time, just relax, they'll end up lying in their own puke soon enough. The thing about the DMB gorge weekend is that, due to the lack of venues in the northwest and the fact that the gorge is THAT amazing, you get a lot of people who just come out for the party. Its okay by me, I get it. I just have to remind myself why I am there.

I try not to let it bother me, but the chick that almost fell on top of me from trying to dance was during the encore at VA Beach. I guess I'm just getting old, even though I'm only 24 and really don't want to deal with that shit at concerts. Most of the time I just laugh at them because they'll probably regret their stupidity later.

[WoodstockGirl]

Nice review! I agree about the lawn N2 - the vibe was kinda drunky and obnoxious. I couldn't find my sweet spot on the lawn at all.

I guess most people missed Marcus Eaton Trio & Tim Reynolds on the sidestage then: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=42015856

It was great. I'll write some reviews when I have some time.

[McBong]

wNice review! I agree about the lawn N2 - the vibe was kinda drunky and obnoxious. I couldn't find my sweet spot on the lawn at all.

I guess most people missed Marcus Eaton Trio & Tim Reynolds on the sidestage then: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=42015856

It was great. I'll write some reviews when I have some time.

I was able to see them N1 and N2! :thumbsup
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/29222/2736161510094086396S600x600Q85.jpg

[WoodstockGirl]

Nice photo! I figured there were some Ants over there, but I've seen no mention in reviews.

[Josh8555]

Venue is beautiful. Simply amazing. Crow control was ok considering the amount of people... but the vending (food, merch...) was HORRIBLE. The staff at every stand I went to was on half speed, messing up orders, just rude in general. Should NOT have to wait for 40 minutes to get a hot dog when there are only 8 people in front of you. They need to get some more compitent staffers for the booths.

Agreed, but I imagine the staff pool is pretty limited in the area ;)

[WoodstockGirl]

Actually - I must say that the "local" staff - the staff in the yellow shirts - were all really nice and good at their jobs. It was the LiveNation staff that were difficult. IMO.

[mbuttercup7]

Nice review! I agree about the lawn N2 - the vibe was kinda drunky and obnoxious. I couldn't find my sweet spot on the lawn at all.


It was VERY hard to hear on the lawn that night. We went down to get some coffee from one of the vendors and started dancing on the lawn right off the the side of the stage. Some guy about four songs in came by, said he was done for the night and gave us his C20 tickets. Score!

Actually - I must say that the "local" staff - the staff in the yellow shirts - were all really nice and good at their jobs. It was the LiveNation staff that were difficult. IMO.

Totally agree. :thumbsup

[Strangely Brown]

did everyone see that Hey Hey was not on the set list N2. Crush in the E2 slot...moved to replace buring down the house and they Hey Hey in my place.

Thank God, that was a great move for me...loved hearing it!

And, Bayou was dropped form E2 N1

[Kevaroo]

Marty, nice summary. I have a little different perspective on just a few things, which I think are interesting and demonstrate that everyone gets something different from art. I was there all three nights as well, sitting in various seated locations (C30, B22, and A28).

N1 was super emotional for sure. I usually don't pay a great deal of attention to what is happenning up on stage - I tend to get immersed in the music, dance, sing, etc. I also thought N1 was musically very good. The band was on.

I thought on N2 the band was off. I couldn't tell if it was sadness or just a let down from the prior night's emotion. I've been through some suffering in my time and usually after a powerful emotional experience, there is a let down. I remember Dave appologizing for being "just so.... well so". That's the great thing about seeing 3 shows in a weekend - you get the full gammit of the DMB experience.

N3 I thought was amazing. What I really noticed was the energy of both the band and crowd. Everything gel'd. The crowd was sympathetic, but aggressive at the same time. It wanted to release, let go of everything and enjoy the moment. In the face of some real suffering, the band gave in to that and joined in it, I think. The result was I think the best show I've seen, granted I have not seen lots of shows in lots of venues. The band, and Dave especially with his waning voice, gave it up.

More generally, one of the things I loved was Tim. I've always thought DMB needed a lead guitar (and an electric one) - Dave plays rhythm. Tim had moments of brilliance and added to the stage presence. And Jeff is amazing. The sound is different, but nothing lasts forever. There is no past and there is no future - Dave knows this, and writes about it, all too well. I loved it. Yeah, the sound and vibe is differerent, but like you said, DMB may have been getting a little stale. Throw a Jeff Corwin and a Tim Reynolds into the mix, and it was new.

The other thing is, one of the reasons I love DMB is the vibe at the shows. The fans are positive and are there for positive messages about life. That's Dave. I've lost some very close family members in my relatively short life, and it's true, it's never the same after. And sometimes, it's better.

I'm hoping you meant Jeff Coffin a Jeff Corwin probably wouldn't go so well.

[mbuttercup7]

:lol :lol

[tre4dmb]

I'm hoping you meant Jeff Coffin a Jeff Corwin probably wouldn't go so well.

True! It would be like DMB at the zoo! Not sure what I was thinking. :)