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Dave Matthews Band June 20, 2008 Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY Ants Rating:  |
Show Reviews
User: 20TwoStep
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A great set for a great night. This show is being overshadowed a bit by what occured on N2, but a closer look and listen will show that it was a solid performance. A big fan of Bartender and I was not sure when/if we would hear that again anytime soon with the departure of Butch. I attended Camden and you could clearly see how the band was tightening things up and really getting into a groove. Really enjoyed Dave's turn on the keys and loved the comment about him "taking a few lessons". I also enjoyed Dave's mega tease about #40 and knowing I was going to N2 made it even better. I am loving the cover tunes and think that they have really got them dialed in; a great change up for this years show. Some are moaning about no Wathctower, but I think it is good timing. The crowd was jamming away all night long and rode the waves and tide of music all nigth long.
User: 2Step41Nancies
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Two Step with wTim was absolutely fantastic
User: 3gtvr4
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Beautiful venue, Awesome atmosphere, and an outstanding performance from DMB!!!!!!
What more can you ask for?
(other than shotgun?)
User: @lex
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This was my first show and it was a great experience. I only wish I had tickets for both nights. I will most certainly make DMB and SPAC a regular part of my summer.
User: academygould
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Awesome show... Rashawn had excellent solo's on mutiple songs, Leroi Moore as always had a great show along with Tim's rocking solo's and Dave's even better vocals. 5 out of 5 stars
User: Agentzero
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Great show, loved the bartender. Great energy from band and crowd. Seeing Tim was definitely awesome
User: ajb007
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Section 7 Row N
Too much new stuff for my taste...show was a bit on the soft side...but night #2 is so much better.
User: akalal
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First show with PCM!
User: Apolosky
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Peace, Love, and Dave.
User: ashleyx2783
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Awesome show, although nothing can compare to night 2.
User: AudioWarehouse
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Just the fact that Dave said he'd go "do his homework and come back" with #40 the next night was enough to seal the deal. The next night when they busted it out...unreal. Lawn seats sucked but was able to get down by the rail.
User: bacardibat23
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DAMN GOOD SHOW cant vait front row vip tonight!!!
User: belly_snuff
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Great set - Two Step was unreal and with the addition of Reynolds this summer it actually adds to what already is an amazing venue.
Can't wait for tonight.
User: brandonkipp
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The band was great tonight. A lot of energy, 4 stars because Sister and Gravedigger are not and will never be encore-worth in my book.
User: brian23
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Good Show, loved Bartender as an opener, fantastic Encore!
User: bsbal923
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we were out on the lawn for this show enjoying ourselves. I have been going to concerts here at SPAC for the last 6 years and so far this has to be one of the best set lists i've heard. I talked with other people around us that have been coming since 1999 and they also thought the same about this performance.
User: B_Skocypec
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Setlist was a little weak. Setup for N2 which was the best I've ever been to
User: capp6112
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Best Friday Night SPAC performance I have ever experienced!!
User: CastellanoJames
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I was 16 years old at the time this was my first ever Dave Matthews Band concert in which I fell in love with their music I got a tattoo on my leg the next day
User: collmp46
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ok for a first night show
User: cpo11292
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Absolutely stunning.
User: craigary2
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amazing show with a strong finish!!!!!!
User: crunch11
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Night 1 was ehhhhhh
User: dannything
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The four opening songs were amazing.
User: Daves05
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Night two was one of the best shows they ever played... and I went to night one.
User: davetripping02
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pretty good
User: DazedenConfewzd
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Good show, sat oustide
User: ddtw41
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One of the best shows I've seen.
User: dereka324
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Amazing show... my first of the summer. Amazing energy with Tim!!!
User: dmb114
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I thought it was a great show. It had a little bit of everything and the jams were great. Everybody was amazing and at the top of their game.
User: DMB205
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one word...AMAZING
User: DMB701NYC
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With Jaime, Rachael, Mark, Collin and Lauren's fetus
User: dmb7060
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Awesome show, only giving it four stars because night two was the best show ive ever seen, and it deserves to stand above this one (which was still more than i could have hoped for)
User: dmbaddict6swife
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awesome show
User: DMBand205
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Great show!
User: dmbangel009
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This show was pretty good, nothing like night 2 though.
User: dmbfan3587
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great encore, atmosphere...LOVE SPAC
User: dmblove3641
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great show--very mellow. can't wait to see what's in store for n2.
User: DMBNY22
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Sick first concert and Two step was amazing.
User: Dmbosstone
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For Dave Matthews and company, showing up to Saratoga Springs was the easy part. The show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center was already sold out, the challenge was keeping the show entertaining and unique from the previous 18 times Dave Matthews has performed there. One way the band and crew addressed this was with a brand new video production and display for the 2008 tour. The show at SPAC started with the band hidden behind huge LCD panels as they kicked off the show with “Bartender”- when the song swung into full effect the panels rose to expose the band and created a “video canopy” from which new video material was shown during the show. I have to say I was impressed with the new video production this year.
“Bartender” did a great job in opening the set and provided great opportunities for Tim Reynolds to strut his stuff. LeRoi also pleased the crown with a little “If I Only Had A Brain” tease. The band then went into “Everyday” where clips of the music video played on the screens. The star of the video, Judah Friedlander, can now be recognized on the NBC show “30 Rock.” The band jammed in the middle of the song and gave the more hardcore fans a chance to sing the “#36” lyrics.
The set then took a slower pace with “Proudest Monkey” and “Satellite.” “Corn Bread”, which has been developed over the course of several tours got a new look as Reynolds provided his signature slide riffs to several solos.
This year pianist Butch Taylor parted ways with the band and left a hole for “Out of My Hands” which was filled by Dave on keyboard. Even though I am not a big fan of the song, I believe that I (as well as the fans) enjoyed watching Dave play the piano. The song following, “Eh Hee” was released as a single where all the instruments were played by Dave- a true testament to Dave Matthews’ musical talents.
The set ended on a stronger note with a great string of songs included “Dancing Nancies”, “Crush”, and “Louisiana Bayou.”
After opening the encore with “Sister” Dave then teased “#40”- ironically a song he has not played in 40 shows. Dave stated before teasing the song “So what I may do, is try and learn [this song]- my memory is not as good as yours… as the years go by, I have more and more problems with my word retrieval…” After a few bars he then finished with, “I’m going to look for it tonight- and when I find it I will bring it to school tomorrow.” With those words, the audience was energized to hear the band close out the set with “Tripping Billies.”
After three hours of playing, the crowd left even more excited to come back and see what Dave had in store for tomorrow.
User: Drockdmb
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I was there physically
User: dxmaverick
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lawn lawn cant see
User: dzinermomSUE
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Another great setlist - The Idea of You, Two Step, Stolen Away, Ehee, Die Trying …
User: elmervsevildead
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The first night the band seemed to take it easy and pump out mostly fan favorites including Two Step and Tripping Billies, songs that are usually chanted for at Spac year in and year out.
User: FallonRhea
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My god that Two Step blew my mind completely.
User: Fatoldsun
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1st SPAC. Bartender opener was beautiful.
User: fletchskibum04
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awesome show tim reynolds was sick
User: flippy
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Mellow show -too much stuff from Stand Up. Hoping he delivers on Saturday night. During Stolen Away on 55th,it was the most people I've ever seen sitting down at a Dave show (please put that one away for a long time.
User: GetOnTheBoat
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Solid show. Two Step was the standout performance of the evening.
User: Gigglesngrins8
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BEST SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN...especially with that two step!
User: griffd2004
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Pretty damn good, tim reynolds was brilliant!!! Loved Gravedigger.
User: hazeman
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Fun
User: helpingmyself3
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This was my 12th dmb show...worst one i've been too. i was debating leaving before the encores. the set started off strong, but then it got real mellow and never regained momentum.
User: hkemp41
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Great show. Took my older brother to his first dave show. You Might Die Trying was incredible
User: hlsmaltz
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Best seats Ever!! Wish I had them for Saturday!
User: hxcdavefan777
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Amazing setlist. If night 1 was that good can't even imagine night 2. SPAC is an amazing venue.
User: ILuvCornbread41
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First Dave show ever! it met the expectations of all the hype. Fell in love with Bartender, Cornbread, Eh Hee, You Might Die Trying and a few others. Lawn seats can suck though...just saying
User: Imagine41
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DMB rocks SPAC
User: Imonajoyride
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AWESOME FIRST NIGHT.
User: jameywayne
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pretty good
User: jamin35008
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Good show but not as good as night 2
User: jaymccarthy
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Junior Year
User: jfrahm09
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Tim was a god! Bartented opening was fucking awesome
User: JGil584
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Of course the second night was better, but this show was spectacular as well. Tim Reynolds is a god and I prefer him much more over Butch. Cornbread is an AWESOME song. The band sounded really tight. Crowd went crazy when David teased #40. Couldn't see as much as I wanted to from my point on the lawn, but no worries. Two Step was unreal. Awesome night.
User: Joeynoodlez
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didnt like the encore my girl's first show too.
User: JohnnyVDMB
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wish i went to night two, but it was a good mix of old with the new.
User: JShaf
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AMAZING SHOW!!
User: junt015
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great show...the battle between leroii and tim on crush was amazing...i really enjoyed the whole band in gravedigger, and tripping billies was a great ending
User: KBRESNEE
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lawn/53
User: kcivic96
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I had fun at this show although the setlist is way too slow and mellow for me. Two Step was unreal with Tim and Dancing Nancies was up there as well. Trippin Billies should close out many more shows, the energy during that song is thru the roof!
User: krazykaren1306
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my first time at this venue and the show was amazing! on the other hand the fans were completely different, some were there for the love of the music and some for other unecessary reasons
User: kylerclark15
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great show as always
User: Lambs1
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Just an average show, really. Wish I had gone to Night Two now. Two Step was definitely the high point, and I was happy to see a full-band Eh Hee. Took a DMB virgin who was blown away, though--imagine if they were firing on all cylinders.
User: lplandry
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wonderful, not night two though
User: luce2step
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second show i ever went to, but one of the best memories i have, and best sets ive seen. dancing nancies, tripping billies, two step, bar tender...cant get any better!
User: marasovi
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a nice beginning to the 2 day stay. enjoyable
User: marweezy
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stretch and I @ spac, warming hut kidz....great seats again, sick jam on conrbread, nancies crush bayou closer whooooo! then a sick encore ending w billies! he goes all out @ spac its like the Garden North
User: Max87
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absolutely amazing show, i've never seen them have as much fun as they did during this show, #40 was amazing and there were too many good parts to list them all
User: maxxy1
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Great Show!!!
User: michaelmiz
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With Ilana Sidorsky. Great Show.
User: mikebmx
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Great show. The band had so much energy. The jams were incredible.
User: mikeyp1113
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Sick
User: Miller9
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my first dave concert ever. unfortuanetly wasnt to familiar with dave to fully appreciate the amazing setlist that had unfolded before my eyes and also was a bit to high to remember it(since then i never smoke at DMB). but i have always wanted to hear Stolen Away and i didnt know what it was at that point so..looks like i will have to wait again. but just a great memory and great first impression of dmb. love at first sight
User: mjkielec
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Excellent!
User: Mlois
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Dancing Nancies was SICK
User: Mr.Vitale@gmail
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This was my first DMB concert and it was amazing! SPAC is such a great venue and I hope to make this a concert a staple of many summers to come.
User: mxracer1
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Amazing Show!!! SPAC is the best
User: nathanielcyr
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3rd Show!
User: Nextncaachamp
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Bartender was awesome!
User: nmontgelas
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Amazing Venue amazing concert
User: notaprep81
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I've seen dave 20+ times now, and I can honestly say that this was one of their best shows.
User: OldDirtHill41
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I gave this show a 5 because (despite the thread that the show sucked) I walked away in awe. I thought there was no way that night 2 could have an overall better set. (even though it did). I really dont think i could be diappointed with a DMB concert unless they played like 50% coversongs.
User: pmarino
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This was the first time I had heard cornbread, and it was just fantastic live! Great show all around.
User: RHall4
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best seats i've ever had. high energy and the band could feel it. best version of bayou i've seen, timmy went nuts.
User: rmonge
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sick
User: Seadooxp25
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Another beautiful day that transcended into night at SPAC. This show had alot of character toward the end. Fans are always great and very attentive up here.
User: ShastaDMB
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AWESOM AWESOME AWESOME, Boyd stole the show... It was like the first part of one BIG show of the two nights... 3hours long..what else can i say???
User: simonpb17
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OK, Slow show, but not bad
User: smhb85ny
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Quite a few from Stand Up, but it's nice to have Tim back at S.P.A.C.. Overall, a solid show.
User: Snostorm
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Solid Solid Show
User: snyder147
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solid show
User: spencer458
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Great to see Tim in the band for the whole night. Crush was amazing. GREAT NIGHT!
User: Squirm41
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3rd show, Great start to a memorable weekend at SPAC
User: stanger
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A good pre show to the best show ever!!! What made it great was the friends I sat with!
User: Steuzy
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Solid show, though nothing spectacular. I am so mad at myself for not buying N2 tickets though.
User: Stevethedj
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SPAC is one of the best venues to see DMB!
User: stimy123
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best show ever, everybody was jammin' love ya leroi rip!
User: stoneje
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This was an awesome show - can it get any better than going into N2 knowing we're going to get #40? I don't think so.
User: stumpe1231
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Anytime they open with Bartender it is a good show! Love Stolen Away and The Idea Of You. Lots of fun at the tailgate as always. SPAC is the best!
User: TBolts712
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Solid N1 in SPAC. Proudest Monkey made the night for me, but Nancies>Crush was pretty sweet, too. The #40 tease has me hopeful for tomorrow night, E1.......
User: tduffman
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Had I written this review right after the show it would have been 5 stars. But after what just occured on saturday it had to go down to 4 stars so as not to slight 6/21/08, the best show in history. Too many Stand Up songs otherwise a great show.
User: TheSexyAlbino
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Good setlist. Enjoyed the day and the show in general. SPAC never disappoints.
User: TrippenTuesdays
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Such an amazing place to endulge on some DMB #40 gig for me !!
User: wallyballs
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my 1st spac show
User: WhatYouAre41
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5th Show.
User: Whiteyxc514
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Bartender - I figured this was coming because I could see the 12 string on stage through the screen before the lights went down. I really liked the "If I Only Had a Brain" interpolation
Everyday - I know this gets a lot of criticism, but I really enjoyed it. The first DMB song I ever heard back in '01, and I liked hearing it for the first time in concert.
Proudest Monkey > Satellite - When I heard the first notes of PM I was like "Noooo!" because my friend who went to Hartford N1 said he heard it and that it wasn't very good. I've also never really been a big Satellite fan, but liked hearing both of these for the first time. The jam in Proudest Monkey was pretty cool I thought.
Cornbread - Going into the show I said that I didn't wanna hear Cornbread again, but knew that it was inevitable. Turned out to be pretty awesome.
You Might Die Trying - I've been a big fan of this song since hearing it last year at SPAC. Absolutely love the "If you give" outro.
Out of My Hands - Nice to hear for the first time, but it would have been nice to hear a calm rarity instead.
Eh Hee - first time hearing this one live too. Definitely enjoyed it.
Crash into Me - Never really gets old. Love hearing the crowd erupt.
Old Dirt Hill - My friend who went to Hartford N1 said that when they played it there it sounded pretty similar to the album. He definitely thought it sounded different last night at SPAC. Great summer song in my opinion.
Bitch - I figured we were due for a cover song. Short and fast, so I didn't mind it.
Two Step - absolutely ridiculous. It's incredible how good this song is live. First time hearing this one too.
Stolen Away - I saw the upright bass, but it looked different than the one that Stefan used on Pay For What You Get last week at Hartford. The guy to my right and I turned towards each other and both said we were hoping for PFWYG, but I didn't mind hearing this one for the first time either.
Idea of You - I've always liked the song and I like it even more with the new intro.
Dancing Nancies - Great, great DMB song. There's just about nothing better at a DMB show than "Sing and dance I'll play for you tonight"
Crush - Great song.
Louisiana Bayou - right before Bayou I looked to my left and the end of the section and saw two of my friends who had been on the front of the lawn, jumping up and down trying to get my attention. They were up against the fence and going crazy and some guy who was leaving early gave them his 4th row tickets! My brother and I tried to move up closer from our spot in Section 2, but the security ladies wouldn't let us. I was glad my friends got to see the encore from the 4th row because I think otherwise they might've been disappointed with the show since they were at Hartford N1.
Sister - Never seen this one live, and never really liked it too much on the Live Trax recordings, but this really sounded nice last night. It's great to see just Dave, Carter, Tim and Rashawn out there with the skyline background. It's a pretty song, and I'd probably enjoy it more if I had a sister
#40 tease - I went nuts when I heard "tables turned again..." Hoping that Dave actually does bring this one out tonight. Would be incredible.
Gravedigger - This is a great song. Great to hear it again.
Tripping Billies - What a way to close a show. This and Lie In Our Graves were the two songs my brother really wanted to hear at his first show. I was glad he got to hear Billies because there's nothing else like it at DMB concert.
This was my third DMB show, and just like the first two I thought it was amazing. The setlist wasn't my favorite, but the performances were outstanding in my opinion. It was the first show for my brother, and he really enjoyed it, even though there were a bunch of songs he wasn't familiar with. I'm looking forward to tonight. I still haven't heard Ants, so I'm really hoping to hear it and hopefully a couple of surprises.
User: Will57
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First and foremost it was SPAC so how could it be bad. Two Step was amazing yet again (Carter!!!), You Might Die Trying is a monster, and a sick Proudest Monkey!! The main set ended at 11 and we even got a #40 tease with a promise Dave would "do his homework and bring it to school tomorrow". Overall great show. The only complaint is when did hitting a beach ball become more important than watching the show?!?!
User: x2001ndl
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Solid show. Kinda slow, but lots of classics.
User: Yard
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Always an interesting time at SPAC!
User: zoolander41dmb
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A great show. A little mellow, but it was a great build up to day 2!
