First Time Saying This

[bmt322]

I feel the same way as all of you regarding sets. However, 99.9% of the DMB I listen to is through headphones or speakers. That 0.1% of the time I get to see them play in front of me...I just can't let go how great that is, and is why I'm considering adding another show or two this year.

[YankeesDMB41]

Originally Posted by bmt322

I feel the same way as all of you regarding sets. However, 99.9% of the DMB I listen to is through headphones or speakers. That 0.1% of the time I get to see them play in front of me...I just can't let go how great that is, and is why I'm considering adding another show or two this year.

This is how I will always feel.

[spiza]

Out of all the shows i have attended i have only left a few disappointed. Last year Camden was the worst 2 night run i have ever seen i left pretty deflated after that weekend. Going to Spac this weekend inside both nights and could not be more excited. I am at the point where i do not care anymore, it kills me there is no Boyd or violin but there is nothing we can do about it. Spac has always my go to venue i grew up going to Saratoga my whole life so it is very nostalgic and the Double encores we have received were amazing. My friend and i now joke about Camden last year about how bummed out we were, here is to a great weekend in Spac.

[ScottCavBBQ]

hope spac treats you well spiza!

[spiza]

Originally Posted by ScottCavBBQ

hope spac treats you well spiza!

Thank you!

[specialkd24]

Originally Posted by parks3923

The worst part is that Dave doesn't even care anymore. The setlists have been predictable for the past 3 or 4 years for the most part. Their new music is no where near the old stuff and they refuse to play what the their fans want to hear. I know its said through this site a lot, but start following phish if you want to see a band who cares about their fans. I jumped the DMB ship a while ago. I'll still go see them when they come around because its a tradition now, but I never go in expecting anything more than a C+ show.

I'm sorry you feel that way. But saying "Dave doesn't even care" is a silly statement. If he didn't care he wouldn't be out there. From the shows I've been to this year it appears he is having a lot of fun.

And the "refuse to play what their fans want to hear" is subjective. You have to remember that there are a lot more fans/concert-goers out there than are on this message board. We are the hardcore fans, but there are lots of other types of fans out there that Dave also has to cater his shows to.

Setlists are what they are. I'm sure 7-10 years ago people complained about those setlists too. And now people look back and think they are awesome.

[TheLastPig]

Originally Posted by specialkd24

I'm sorry you feel that way. But saying "Dave doesn't even care" is a silly statement. If he didn't care he wouldn't be out there. From the shows I've been to this year it appears he is having a lot of fun.

And the "refuse to play what their fans want to hear" is subjective. You have to remember that there are a lot more fans/concert-goers out there than are on this message board. We are the hardcore fans, but there are lots of other types of fans out there that Dave also has to cater his shows to.

Setlists are what they are. I'm sure 7-10 years ago people complained about those setlists too. And now people look back and think they are awesome.

Wouldn’t that lend credence to the idea that sets are getting progressively worse as more and more of the great songs in the catalog get ignored?

[YankeesDMB41]

Not really. 2009 had some absolutely god awful sets. I'm talking 9-10 BW songs. 2019 at its worst is still better than those song choices.

[TheLastPig]

I agree to an extent. I’m not of the mindset this year has the worst collection of regularly played songs. There’s certainly been worse in the last decade.

Same general problem of overplaying the average to bad songs and underplaying the good ones exists though.


What frustrates me more than anything are songs like Grey Street, Rapunzel, Two Step etc being shells even of what they were in 2010. The vast majority of songs that are being performed very well right now are Big Whiskey and later, with few exceptions.

[YankeesDMB41]

If you think the setlists are terrible, and that they sound like shit, it sounds like you are done with DMB ....which is obviously fine...I do not fault anyone that isn't happy with the current product at all. I just still am.

[TheLastPig]

I don’t think they’re terrible, I think they are very bland. And their playing this year has been good, but as I’ve said many times the lack of violin is a huge downer for me, so even the well performed 8 minute version of two step doesn’t illicit the same enjoyment as one would’ve with that instrument included.

With all of that said, I still like following the tour, but I’ve gone from someone who attends 4-7 shows a year to 2 at best. Which seems to be a common thread with many around here.

[YankeesDMB41]

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

I don’t think they’re terrible, I think they are very bland. And their playing this year has been good, but as I’ve said many times the lack of violin is a huge downer for me, so even the well performed 8 minute version of two step doesn’t illicit the same enjoyment as one would’ve with that instrument included.

With all of that said, I still like following the tour, but I’ve gone from someone who attends 4-7 shows a year to 2 at best. Which seems to be a common thread with many around here.

I'm with you. These days, I will go to SPAC, Jones Beach, and MSG until they hang it up.

[tyler3440]

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

I agree to an extent. I’m not of the mindset this year has the worst collection of regularly played songs. There’s certainly been worse in the last decade.

Same general problem of overplaying the average to bad songs and underplaying the good ones exists though.


What frustrates me more than anything are songs like Grey Street, Rapunzel, Two Step etc being shells even of what they were in 2010. The vast majority of songs that are being performed very well right now are Big Whiskey and later, with few exceptions.

Actually Grey Street is way better then it was in like 2010. It was way too fast back then. It has slowed down quite a bit and sounds better. Rashawn really bugs me on the jam but he did in 2010 too. Two Step isn’t really a shell of its self, it’s just shorter with no jam. When the have jammed it out in this line up, it’s actually better then 2010 imo. Carters solo at the deer creek show last year was more tasteful then those heavy rock solos back in 2010 Imo.

[TwoStep2888]

yeah Grey Street was way worse a few years ago. Two Step is def a shell now, at least the short ones are, sad to say.

[Bmwm3oz]

Yeah, Two Step is dead as well. They’ve managed to kill many of their great songs. #41 is also that way. Dead in the water. Dull and not exciting at all.

[tyler3440]

Originally Posted by Bmwm3oz

Yeah, Two Step is dead as well. They’ve managed to kill many of their great songs. #41 is also that way. Dead in the water. Dull and not exciting at all.

I just don’t get how Two Step is that much different then in like 1996 when it was really short.

[ToySoldier#34]

Originally Posted by tyler3440

I just don’t get how Two Step is that much different then in like 1996 when it was really short.

At the beginning of the tour people were bitching about the band not even trying to do a shortened version of Two Step if Carter can't do the full solo then they do exactly that and everyone complains, it's great

[tyler3440]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

At the beginning of the tour people were bitching about the band not even trying to do a shortened version of Two Step if Carter can't do the full solo then they do exactly that and everyone complains, it's great

Yeah lol this is pretty darn true

[Bmwm3oz]

Originally Posted by tyler3440

I just don’t get how Two Step is that much different then in like 1996 when it was really short.

Not sure, wasn’t a fan until 2002 and don’t listen to much before 98

[bowa36]

two step is better being short and always has been

[TwoStep2888]

I still like 41

[bowa36]

i do too, except for the guitar solo

[tyler3440]

Originally Posted by Bmwm3oz

Not sure, wasn’t a fan until 2002 and don’t listen to much before 98

I will say that Two Step was the best in the early 2000s with Butch. That doesn’t mean it’s a shell of it’s former self tho, it’s just different.

I not so drastically different like SW is now compared to 2004. That’s why I feel it’s not close to a “shell of its former self.” SW would be in that category, but not Two Step.

[parks3923]

Originally Posted by specialkd24

I'm sorry you feel that way. But saying "Dave doesn't even care" is a silly statement. If he didn't care he wouldn't be out there. From the shows I've been to this year it appears he is having a lot of fun.

And the "refuse to play what their fans want to hear" is subjective. You have to remember that there are a lot more fans/concert-goers out there than are on this message board. We are the hardcore fans, but there are lots of other types of fans out there that Dave also has to cater his shows to.

Setlists are what they are. I'm sure 7-10 years ago people complained about those setlists too. And now people look back and think they are awesome.

Dave flat out said he doesn't care what fans want. He is going to play what he wants. So my comment about Dave not caring was in reference to his setlist writing. Of course he loves playing still, he will be playing shows for as long as he can, DMB, DT or solo. It just sucks that he really doesn't care about what the fans want.

I am also willing to bet that 90% of the people going to shows would rather hear The Stone over funny the way it is.

Daves Comments
"I think about the songs I'm enjoying playing...I'm not as obsessed by making sure that its...that we can't repeat anything, or I don't want to play this song too many times...there's a bit of that, I don't want to play the same song every night but if I'm enjoying playing a song there's a part of me that's like 'I don't care if people will complain' because our audiences they like a changed set I think, but I don't care, if I'm really enjoying something then I'm like 'hey this is my show, and imma play it'. Not everybody is a critic, and those of you who are critics can all your panties in a wad, or your balls in a knot about whatever, but I dont REALLY care so some people should know that I don't.... some people are like (mocking tone) 'ohhhh they used to be like, well they used to be like'. I'm 52 and you can kiss my ass."

[TheLastPig]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

At the beginning of the tour people were bitching about the band not even trying to do a shortened version of Two Step if Carter can't do the full solo then they do exactly that and everyone complains, it's great

I still want them to play it, that doesn’t change my opinion on how it sounds.

[TheLastPig]

Overall what I’m getting at is even the classics lack some ‘juice’ for lack of a better term. Outside of DDTW, Crush, Crash and maybe a couple others not coming to mind, things just seem to be lacking something. Mix of Dave’s voice not having as much inflection, Carter playing less aggressive and no violin is probably what I attribute it to. All of these below don’t hit home the same way to me over the last two years.

Two Step
Ants
Billies
Seek Up
Typical
Recently
Grey Street
41
Bartender
Nancies
Jane
Jimi
LIOG


Even Stone and BOWA to a certain extent

[SandraDMB]

Originally Posted by specialkd24

I'm sorry you feel that way. But saying "Dave doesn't even care" is a silly statement. If he didn't care he wouldn't be out there. From the shows I've been to this year it appears he is having a lot of fun.

Dave cares that he, his band, and his entourage have a good time. Lately, since Boyd's departure in particular, he's adopted a "I don't give a fuck" mentality. Heck, he says that right here: https://youtu.be/06janfOw6AI?t=119

And then every opportunity he gets he takes subtle jabs at "fans" (nondescript) as mentioned above by parks3923

Watch Dave dodge a question about his fans here rather than saying something nice/gracious (MixRadioBeachHouse 2019): https://youtu.be/M4R-s2niRD0?t=184

[ToySoldier#34]

Two Step - intro is incredible, back to improv lyrics, if they did a full version it would be amazing like '18 Deer Creek

Ants - has lost a lot
Billies - Jeff owns
Seek Up - currently very good, especially Alpine version
Typical - currently great, end jam is what they were missing for years

Recently - has lost a lot, still fun
Grey Street - I enjoy it but it's not what it was
41 - still love it
Bartender - new end jam is great, Dave can't belt like his prime

Nancies - Tim kills it but needs violin
Jane - haven't listened
Jimi - whatever
LIOG - organ is awful

[TheLastPig]

Eh two step definitely isn’t “back to improv lyrics”

It’s dave mumbling for 15-20 seconds then singing the time bomb intro for another 15-20

[BTBaboon]

Originally Posted by YankeesDMB41

Not really. 2009 had some absolutely god awful sets. I'm talking 9-10 BW songs. 2019 at its worst is still better than those song choices.

Which group of songs would you prefer in a set:

1) Dive In, Shake Me Like a Monkey, You & Me, Funny the Way it Is, Squirm, Time Bomb, Spaceman, Why I Am, Lying in the Hands of God

2) Can't Stop, Shake Me Like a Monkey, You & Me, Why I Am, Samurai Cop, Do You Remember, Stand Up (For It), Louisiana Bayou, Here On Out

I'll take the 9 BW over the assorted BW/CT/Stand Up junk. At least some of the BW stuff that they now ignore was good. Instead it's the same repetitive crap every night it seems.

Originally Posted by YankeesDMB41

If you think the setlists are terrible, and that they sound like shit, it sounds like you are done with DMB ....which is obviously fine...I do not fault anyone that isn't happy with the current product at all. I just still am.

I think the problem people (me included sometimes) have is that we want so badly to still love this band. It's tough to let it go.

Originally Posted by bowa36

i do too, except for the guitar solo

#41 is still good, but it could be great if they went back to the sax solo. I don't understand why they don't do that. Maybe cause Roi hated playing the song?