Not What I Expected.

My trip this past Saturday to Ford Amphitheatre did not turn out to be like I had originally expected.  On my way into the parking area, my first reaction was the lack of masses tailgating which I expected for a band who has been around since 1991, who has released numerous records and had a bunch of hit songs.  The show was not bad, however it would have been nice to have had the musicians show their talent individually a bit more.  I heard some of the songs I actually was really familiar with such as radio hits like Pardon Me, Megalomaniac, and one of my favorites from the band Circles.  Something I have not seen in a while that the band showed me was a true acoustic set from a typically amlified band.  Bongo's and all, the acoustic set gave the show an twist I haven't seen in a good amount of time.

Lawn seating was an option I would have also liked to have seen.  Even though tickets were not unreasonably priced, I expected the lawn to be open for those people looking to buy the cheap seats.  I feel more fans would have been able to attend if the lawn had an even lower price, allowing those fans that couldn't bring themselves to spend $40 on a ticket.  All and all the night was a good night, but I wouldn't spend the money a second time unless I knew I would be attending a show with much more energy.  Much love to Incubus fans, but I'll follow a different path!  

Another Dave Another Dollar...

There is not one thing that could make me ever say “don’t go to a Dave Matthews Band concert.” It is simply not part of my vocabulary.  However, as a person who considers themselves and experienced Dave attendee, I would say something like “go to the cities and see him when he plays two nights.”  I love Dave, I live for Dave, but high-ticket prices and mediocre set lists have brought me to feel quite strongly about this.  This past Nissan Pavilion show in Bristow, VA clinched it.  I always believed all Dave needed was a purpose to play a great set. I figured this being the last venue that late sax player, Leroi Moore played, he would make sure his fans had an amazing show.  Maybe some rare songs, maybe a great cover…none.  The entire show, I could not help but feel like all Mr. Matthews wanted was to get off stage.  My 14^th show to date, I feel the set list was basically the bands new album on shuffle, with a few #1 hits mixed in.  Not to say the new album is not worth purchasing, but I feel this concert was just trying to get kids to go buy it.  Now all that said, there were great parts of the evening.   A common encore of All Along the Watchtower was uniquely interrupted by a verse of Zeppelins’ Stairway to Heaven.  In addition, there were a few new songs that made the crowd go wild, and I don’t mean his newest hit, Funny the Way It Is.  2 songs from the new album got the crowd wild, Time Bomb seemed to be a hit, however, despite my lack of radio attention, Shake Like a Monkey, seems like a good bet to be the next hit among paying fans.  I will be seeing Dave again, well tomorrow in Tampa’s Ford Amphitheatre, and I would encourage friends to attend, however as a person who frequents Dave shows, I do say, its not the same…West Palm, Red Rocks, Gorge, anywhere he plays multiple nights…give the man a rest on his tour, night 2 is wonderful.  To those who have only seen Dave a few times, make the trip to one of those locations, you’ll get it.  I will continue to see Dave at every opportunity, and encourage, pay for, and tell friends how to sneak in when I can…its just not the same as it used to be….enjoy Dave, but make an effort to attend his great shows, RIP Leroi…it will never be the same.