The recently re-named 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre welcomed Dave Matthews Band and support act Gov’t Mule this past Wednesday, July 28. The place looked surprisingly sparse when we arrived around 7 p.m., even in the general admission pit, where fans were pressing in close to the stage and vying for the first glimpse of Dave. [All photos by Tracy May.]

He made his first appearance with Gov’t Mule as they took the stage, giving them a proper introduction to kick off the evening of music. The jam rock foursome sounded as though they were channeling Neil Young with their driving country Americana-flavored blues rock, which was marked by the muscular riffs of guitarist/singer Warren Haynes [pictured right], twangy melodies and fluid transitions.

Gov’t Mule closed their set with an intense rock n' roll jam session complete with a sweet saxophone solo, establishing the laid-back vibe of the concert and warming up the crowd for DMB.

People trickled in steadily throughout the Mule's set and were pouring in by 8 p.m., the formerly sparse-looking venue now packed. The beer was flowing and we watched as the GA pit — an area that I’d heard an avid DMB fan claim was a necessity to enjoy their shows — became too full for most of the fans to move, let alone dance.

Dave Matthews Band took the stage at around 8:30 p.m. and the crowd gave a roaring welcome. When Dave launched into the first song, "Proudest Monkey," the intensity in his voice paired with the vibrant post-thunderstorm sunset established a surprising sort of romantic ambiance, the band's style and music more exhilarating and entertaining live than I’d imagined, even during this slower number.

The lights and video screens made the stage seem like a very groovy place. It was clear Dave was feeling every note he played from head to toe, his closed eyes tight as he soloed, his foot keeping time to each strum. His positive energy radiated off the stage, adding to the vibe, and the crowd was feeding off it like they were at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Few people were sitting down, the majority dancing and singing along, especially when the band busted out songs like “Big Eyed Fish” (from 2002's Busted Stuff) and “Warehouse” off their 1994 debut, Under the Table and Dreaming. They kept things pretty upbeat considering many of their hits were a bit on the soft side, others nostalgia and taking you back to the first time you heard "Crash into Me."

Dave's expressive, sensual vocals soothed the soul and could make his harshest critics fall head over heels. I admit I had a love-hate relationship with DMB for a long time. When I was younger, I thought they were overrated and couldn’t stand that “I Did It” song. But when I gave them a chance, I fell for them hard and while my husband couldn’t name one single DMB song, he’d heard most of them and I caught him rocking out and singing to a few. [Photo galleries & setlist after the jump.]

This article appears in Jul 29 – Aug 4, 2010.