My older brother is the only reason I know of Dave Matthews Band. From the moment he left the DMV, license in hand, nine years ago, I was subjected to his choice of music for driving. A slew of ska, rap and '90s music came out of his radio, and so did the genre-mixing sounds of Dave Matthews Band, which found its niche and fanbase thanks to the band's funky mash up of jazz, blues and '90s rock.
Being familiar with DMB songs like “So Damn Lucky,” “Ants Marching,” “Crash Into Me,” “Stay Or Leave,” “Grey Street”, and “Satellite” left me with a certain set of expectations for Wednesday night's damp Tampa set from the band, which was also my first jam-band show ever.
“I’m Mitch Miller and I’m the luckiest guy alive,” Matthews joked as he addressed the crowd. He was, of course, joking, since there wasn't one fan among the 18,000 at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre that didn't know his name.
And about that crowd. When I hear "jam band," I think hippies and tie-dye, but the DMB crowd transcends that stereotype by bringing folks of all backgrounds to the table. And although there were no barefoot hippies (that I could see), there was reefer in the air.
The night's real high was the music, of course, and DMB didn’t disappoint with a three-hour performance that had loyal fans flailing around until 11 p.m. Rather than whipping out all of the crowd-pleasers, DMB makes new setlists for every concert in the hopes of surprising fans. Even “The biggest Dave Matthews Band fan out there” (you know, the ones devoted to podcasts like Ants Marching) can't always guess the night's lineup.
Most significant about the night was how Dave’s distinct raspy and powerful vocals brought me back to riding shotgun in my brother’s 1992 Toyota Tercel.
I wasn’t the only one reminiscing either — DMB paid homage to its deceased brethren Leroi Moore with “Why I Am”, which incited roaring cheers every time Matthews said he was “still here dancing with the GrooGrux King.”
In fact, there were new experiences all around. Tampa fans were seeing the band after its two-year hiatus, and without one original member: Boyd Tinsley, who was fired from the band after being caught in a wave of #MeToo-related accusations.
Fans disappointed by the absence of Boyd were compensated with unforgettable guitar solos by Tim Reynolds and funky, upbeat keyboard solos by newcomer Buddy Strong on songs like “Jimi Thing.” Newer generations of DMB fans now receive the full rock vibe with a touch of blues and funk rather than the past bluegrass, folky vibe the band became known for in 1991.
As a newbie to the band’s live experience and the world of jam bands all that needs to be said is thank you, DMB, for the new memories and picking back up right where you left off.
See a setlist, photos and playlist featuring songs from the show below.
Setlist
One Sweet World
That Girl Is You
Shake Me Like a Monkey
Grace Is Gone
Seek Up
Can’t Stop
Again And Again
What Would You Say
Louisiana Bayou
Come Tomorrow
The Song That Jane Likes
Fool To Think
Warehouse
Louie Louie (Kingsmen Cover)
So Much To Say
Come On Come On
Kill The Preacher (Tease)
Why I Am
Jimi Thing
Sexy M.F. (Prince Cover)
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Some Devil (Dave Matthews Solo)
So Right
Grey Street
