So. First off I didn't go over to meet Dave. They announced that he would be over in the kids play tent if you would like to meet him. John Varvatos made that announcement from the stage after Dave's set. I just decided I have met him before and I'd let other people meet him. Everyone split right after JV said that, lol.
Now back to the beginning. I got there about 3 hours early because there was zero traffic out on the freeways early in the morning. I went to the area of the event and parked. Then I found a nice place to eat some breakfast. After that, I headed over to the event. They were keeping people out on one side but I just walked over to the other side and strolled in there like I belong. I went in and first checked to see if I could check in. I couldn't, not until Noon I was told. Then I went to where the stage was set up and sat down for a long while. Craig was stringing Dave's guitars and then playing them. Next he did a sound check to get the mics set to the right levels. At 11:15 I was approached by security and asked if I had credentials. I knew I wasn't going to get by that so I said "No". He told me I could hang out until 11:30 then I would have to go see if I could get my wristband so I could stay in the "ropes", so to speak. I wasn't able to get my wristband so I was told I needed to get on the other side of the barriers with those that were waiting there. There were a few Ants and a few facebook friends there as well. I made friends with them and we got to talking. Shortly after getting booted, Dave pulled up in a black car and got out, right across the street. I have to give props because not one person ran over there. Everyone left him alone. He then cruised right by us heading into the event. He went down the red carpet but I don't think there was anyone there taking photos of his arrival. He then went and did a soundcheck. He played Save Me and Stay or Leave. That was the end of soundcheck and we were able to hear it clearly. At noon, the doors were to open so we could register. I ended up checking in at 11:55 am. At noon, they let us in. I knew where the stage was and made a quick walk over to the stage. I arrived first and got dead center. Then I realized that I could shoot the show from just left of center and have a much better view, knowing that Dave turns that way more in his playing style. It wasn't crowded until 1:15 or so, then it started filling in. I could go get drinks, food, or go to the bathroom and come back because I had made friends with the others that were up close. They had an auction before Dave came out and that went smooth. Next up was Dave Matthews. He showed up with Rashawn, so I was thinking that he would be guesting. Turns out he was just there to show his support of Dave and the Stuart House.
Here is my post from the main page with the links to the videos. Forgive me but I just did a cut and paste:
Hey there. I didn't want to keep hijacking the other threads so here ya go. I shot the whole concert yesterday, except when Dave was switching guitars. Hope you enjoy and please feel free to comment on YouTube or in here. Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. Peace! Oh yea, the details. This was a John Varvatos benefit for the Stuart House in LA. It is a place that deals with sexually abused children so it was a great cause. Over $700,000 was raised at this event. I got there early to get a good place. I guess you'll see that worked out pretty well. I met a lot of great people there including a lot of Ants. There were some faces I have seen before and a few new ones as well. Everything about this benefit came off real first class. They did an awesome job. After the show John Varvatos announced Dave and him will be over in the kid's playroom/tent if you would like to meet him. Lots of people went over there but I've met him once or twice so I didn't go over. I have to say what a cool thing for Dave to do though, props to him. So here we go, the show! I will put them in the order of the setlist.
DDTW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRjq0bbQu4w
Crush:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMMp-_rFKPY
Stay or Leave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2W4SUpCzMQ
You and Me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL8rR3jWS-Y
Save Me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf3jLB6x_rI
#41:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aozQxyl60po
FTWII:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QzR9ZDjVaY
Sweet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLW_ocFI5mw
And here are some photos. They mostly suck because I focus on the video aspect. Mostly just Dave changing guitars.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=a6cf27cec7
I set it up so you don't have to have facebook to view it. Peace and LoVE!
There ya go, my take on the concert and the event. It was run real professionally and I was impressed. I'm not easy to impress. There were maybe 300 people watching Dave, 400 max. The area where the stage was real small. Probably the best $200 I ever spent...maybe. It is right up there, for sure.
Bela Fleck tonight and 2 Umphrey's McGee shows on Friday, woohoo!