In YOUR opinion, is Dave mailing it in this summer?

[DmBand801]

Just wondering what the consensus is here. Do you personally feel that Dave [and more or less] the band, are mailing it in from a set list perspective this summer?

[Dannyyankou]

The Lovely Ladies are helping them mail it in, yes.

[ExistenceNow]

Yup. $.49 snail mail. Not even Priority.

[barbogast]

From a variety standpoint, absolutely mailed in. Especially with the addition of the acoustic set. Some really interesting stuff could've (and should've) come from this format. Instead we got an all time high predictability level.

[TrippinNancies1]

Personally I see a lack of inspiration. It kind of feels like 2007 in a way. One would think the #2sets format would encourage more spontaneity and fire up their creative fuels, but basically it's one big missed opportunity. Granted, we have Minarets, I'll Back You Up, Good Good Time, and a few other fantastic songs back in constant rotation, and that's a huge plus for the tour. But overall the sets seem uninspired, and it's very disappointing when the band has so much potential.

[chadizzy1]

Without a doubt.

It's almost as though they feel 2Sets gave them an excuse to get lazy for the electric set.

[barbogast]

Originally Posted by chadizzy1

Without a doubt.

It's almost as though they feel 2Sets gave them an excuse to get lazy for the electric set.

The acoustic sets haven't exactly been an overflow of creativity either, really. Good songs for the most part, but they almost all sound exactly the same as their electric counterpart. And the sets themselves are every bit as predictable as the electric sets.

[TrippinNancies1]

We've doomed North Carolina's Tuesday show if Stefan sees this and it gets back to Dave.

[Useliteski]

if they don't play 110 different songs lol then yes statistically compared to last year, they are mailing it in.

[FeelingGood]

With the Average Points Per Show for the top 10 setlist players in the 33-35 point range, I would say yes.

That being said, you could ignore all the setlists, attend one or two shows this summer and be a very happy fan of this band. People can get their expectations up way too high by over-focusing. It's just hard knowing how talented they all are, and the opportunities being lost. Being a fan of the Dave Matthews Band is full of contradictions.

[gocubsgo3822]

yep they worse than ever

[Seek#41Up]

I really don't think mailing it in is the right word. Lack of creativity, disconnection with your fans, complacentcy?? I can't put this only on Dave and give Carter, Boyd, and Stefan on pass on this either. Dave might write the sets but to think he is the be all end all and would throw a fit if Carter said lets stop playing this and pick this tune up is ridiculous. The day I feel the band is truely mailing it in will be the day I no longer go to anymore shows and I think that should be the same for anyone.

I went to both nights at SPAC and from what I saw and the amount of fun I had I will be back next year.

[dontdrink36]

Define "mailing it in" please.

The biggest issue to me is that the core group of songs hasn't changed much in the past few years, and the amount and placement of the covers. The acoustic sets while predictable have been good/great most nights with some previously rare tunes getting fairly regular play. The balance of songs has been a bit off but it almost always is pretty unbalanced. The LL's constant presence has made the end of sets very predictable. If the LL's were only popping up a couple of times that would be a unique treat. The fact that they are there every weekend playing the same 10 songs has become stale. The tour has been average. It's not a top or bottom tier tour IMO.

[Seek#41Up]

Originally Posted by gocubsgo3822

yep they worse than ever

2005 was so much worse it is not even funny.

[Cobo]

They usually end up mailing in more shows then they don't , once the initial tour excitement fades and we get through June. This year, though, it seems to be far more noticeable than previous years. The amount of shows I've seen go down every summer and next year, I'll be just fine with my one local show. Might even skip Deer Creek for the first time in years. This band is simply providing no incentive to go out and see multiple shows, even with the acoustic set in play.

[gocubsgo3822]

nope 2005 better. They at least had an excuse to suck then

[Crews194]

Without a doubt.

[coolhotwaves]

Their gimmick to give the the band and fans inspiration at their shows by doing an acoustic set has been wildly predictable and even more stagnant than the recent few tours. 2013 showed a lot of promise and the band brought out a great variety of songs. 2014 has been the opposite of that. They pretty much keep the exact same acoustic lineup and change out a few songs each night...really? That was your big selling point for the tour???

[baldi41]

I'm glad they are touring but I'm personally done for awhile till I see more of setlist variety. Just when I think I'm getting into a show a song comes out that brings me back to the reality that this band is not exploring its deep song catalogue. Have fun for those who continue to follow band. Wake me up when they start mixing it up more.

[dontdrink36]

Originally Posted by gocubsgo3822

nope 2005 better. They at least had an excuse to suck then

you're so wrong!

[The2SteppingPig]

I don't think he is trying to mail it in, I think there is variety here. Just nothing we want to see.

[DMBzilla]

Yes, they are.

This tour had more potential than any in recent memory thanks to the addition of the acoustic set. There were so many possibilities for new arrangements of old songs, a resurgence of certain rarities, and variety far beyond any we've seen. Unfortunately, the band has failed to seize that opportunity.

In 29 shows, they have played just 38 unique songs in the acoustic set:

Stolen Away on 55th & 3rd 19
Two Step 18
What Would You Say 18
Ants Marching 14
Recently 14
Snow Outside 12
Bartender 11
Sugar Man 11
Tripping Billies 11
I'll Back You Up 10
So Damn Lucky 10
#27 9
Minarets 8
Sweet 8
Lie in Our Graves 7
Satellite 7
Crash into Me 5
Pay for What You Get 5
Take Me to Tomorrow 5
Grace Is Gone 4
Rhyme & Reason 4
Slip Slidin' Away 4
Oh 3
Beach Ball 2
Dancing Nancies 2
Little Red Bird 2
Sister 2
Stay (Wasting Time) 2
A Whiter Shade of Pale 1
Christmas Song 1
Crush 1
Funny the Way It Is 1
Good Good Time 1
Loving Wings 1
Rye Whiskey 1
Save Me 1
Stay or Leave 1
Typical Situation 1

Click the "Show Spoiler" Button to reveal hidden text.

The electric sets have been similarly disappointing. Many classics have few-to-no plays, while the same usual suspects are ever present. And with the return of the Ladies the closing run of many sets has become as predictable as anything in recent years.

It's just another example of missed opportunities. There was SO much that could have been done with the acoustic set, but it simply hasn't materialized, and being that they're roughly 3/4 of the way through the tour, it won't.

[lrhyde]

I don't think he's mailing it in, I just think that us at Ants and Dave have a very different definition of varity and mixing it up. Dave brings back the Lovely Ladies and songs like Sledgehammer and Burning Down the House and considers that variety, whereas we consider playing songs like The Stone, BOWA, Pig, etc. as varity. I feel like Dave thinks that if he just plays a few songs that haven't been played in years then it's considered "variety"

[Roose13]

I said no, because it's not intentional. I think he has it set in his mind that these shows are great, and since it's a new format, they want to make sure every stop gets to experience some of the performances he feels the crowd will love and has been loving.

[pgapro]

Dave has never mailed it in. So no.

[Bearclaw_]

Definitely one of the worst touring seasons/years. A few points, IMO:

I was so excited about the #2sets and in reality it just turned out being a couple songs extra. Time wise, it's practically the same - they use the #2sets to just take longer breaks. The acoustic start time is ridiculous.

I'm curious about the LL. I've always liked them but they haven't performed with DMB in YEARS and all of a sudden they're playing 4-5 songs every few nights? One has to wonder if the band (dave, whoever) saw this as another excuse to "relax" things a bit.

They can, and do, play whatever the hell they want but I can certainly say I'm disappointed--and I am. I would give anything for a show without the majority of Everyday, Stand Up, Big Whiskey, and AFTW. That will never happen so I accept that quite a few songs I won't like. Just frustrating that the same songs they are recycling every show are the ones I don't like. #firstworldproblems

[WidespreadMule3]

I'm wondering if the announcement of two sets, acoustic/electric may have given us too much hype.

[gocubsgo3822]

i expected them, to be like last year. not lazy as fuck

[triplechin89]

With tim overwhelming all guitar parts, setlists lacking variety, and the LL ladies just a singing away, yeah he is mailing it in on all fronts.

[crashintonickdm]

I think they believe they're setting the world on fire. This tour was special nearly a month ago and now it's already ruined IMO.