I'm back with another DMB show recap, only 2 months late. Whoops. However, I plan to use this post as a look back AND a look forward to the upcoming Bourbon & Beyond Festival where the Dave Matthew's Band will take the stage as a headliner on Friday. This will be the 5th time seeing the band this year, and no I don't think that's too many times.
So, let me bring you back ... to mid-July. I had just wrapped up my first vacation of the summer, tanned and rested, and was ready to continue on to the second leg of my vacation extravaganza (hashtag blessed) on the east coast -- Gilford, New Hampshire via Boston.
There's a lot to recap before we even get to the show, but in an effort to stay on message here, I will try to stay on day of concert content only.
A fun thing about the Gilford shows is that they take place smack dab in the middle of the week -- Tuesday and Wednesday -- which seems like quite a luxury, and makes it nearly impossible for anyone to attend these shows without taking at least one day off of work (again, hashtag blessed).
By Tuesday, the gang and I (Paul, Chelsea, and Emily) had settled into the Gilford life. Our AirBnb was nestled into the side of a mountain, surrounded by wild life and probably some Deliverance-esque neighbors that we never saw, but certainly lived vividly in our imaginations. Emily was taking outdoor showers, and had become one with nature. We had figured out our Airbnb's window AC units, and had cooled down the place from the balmy 98 degrees at arrival, to a brisk sub 70 degree temp. We had a grip on all of the vegan-friendly restaurants in the area. Chelsea had mastered how to maneuver Green-Digger (our outlandishly bright green 4 Runner) through the swervy, steep mountain roads. We were basically locals.
We weren't sure what to expect at the venue, and we also had been keeping an eye on the forecast, which had been calling for storms all week. But luckily for us, we are pros at concerts and had packed up our supplies (water, umbrellas, ponchos, sunscreen, snacks, drinks) ready to take on whatever came our way.
We had a short commute to the venue and easily got into our "Easy Out" parking lot that sat right at the entrance of the exit. We had views of mountains, and were just steps away for a parking lot port-a-potty which in my mind is as close as you get to a perfect parking experience.
The forecast continued to be foreboding, and lucky for me, my dad was texting updates of the radar (in Gilford) as my personal meteorologist who always keeps me abreast of the latest weather systems. But, we were headed into the venue no matter what -- rain or shine, thunder or lightning, hell or high water.
The venue really lived up to the hype -- it was quaint, charming, filled with lots of flowers and trees, and very friendly people throughout. They had a little stage in the main concourse with a band playing. There were body sprays in the women's bathroom and a bathroom attendant(!?) which I could just not get over. As with the rest of Gilford, there were definitely some steep hills in the walkway, but for the most part we stayed put in the lawn.
Right before the show started, as Meterologist Big Rob predicted, a storm descended upon us. They told everyone in the lawn to evacuate and we made it back to our Green Digger right before the rain, rain came down on me (IYKYK). The good news was this storm cell seemed like it was short and would be only a temporary blip in our night. Luckily we were right! After about an hour or so, the parking lot attendants told us to go back in the show (how nice of them!), and we made it back in our same spot.
Not to put the cart before the course, but I think this was my best show ever. High praise I know. It was definitely the best show of the year for me. So, without further ado, my show recap:
JTR
This is THE rain song. Almost always guaranteed when it rains, the band calls an audible and plays it. A great start to the night. Sidenote: As soon as they started playing it became apparent that the sound in the lawn was incredible -- best sound I have ever heard in a lawn, and even on some pavilion shows. It was very thrilling. 10/10
SPOON
Never mad to hear Spoon. Sort of a rarity, but becoming less of one this year. 8/10
RECENTLY
This was on my wish list for at least a few years, and I was soooo happy to see it. Such a fun song, and I would love this every show. 10/10
WALK AROUND THE MOON
My favorite song on the new album. 7/10
THE BEST OF WHAT'S AROUND
Obvi banger. I had to pee at this point and was getting worried there wouldn't be a pee song (a sign of a solid show). 9/10
BUSTED STUFF
This was the first time I had heard this song live in my 28 years of seeing them. (Well I guess this song is only 22 years old, but you get it). 8/10
RHYME & REASON
This was my pee song. My first open window of not having FOMO. Bonus for hearing the song from the bathroom, so I didn't really miissssss it. 7/10
STOLEN AWAY ON 55th & 3rd
Hot take: I don't like this song. Was a little bummed that this was not my pee song. This would have been the perfect pee song, but sometimes you take a risk and you lose. 4/10
WHERE ARE YOU GOING
Not super excited about this one, but let me tell you, this was one of the best versions of this song I have ever heard. Was the band going harder than usual? Is it a banger now? Was I just feeling it more than ever before?? Yes to all. 7/10
MADMAN'S EYES
As a fun gift I got everyone bracelets with a song lyric on them, and my lyric was from this song, "In the dark, be the light," which did add a layer of excitement to the experience. I don't not like this song, it was just in heavy rotation last year. It is sort of a banger though. 7/10
SUGAR WILL
This was a huge liberation, and had not been played for 233 shows (I do realize how nerdy that makes me sound). People around us were losing their minds, which I guess was exciting. I like the song, but it was not mind blowing for me. However it's worth a listen for those of you who have never heard it. 8/10
PNP--> PIG
This was my freak out moment, and by freaking out I mean I cried tears of joy because it is Pig, and Pig is just a song that warrants such emotional reaction. I looked over at Paul and he was also crying. 10/10
ANYONE SEEN THE BRIDGE--> TOO MUCH
This was a little spicy, because they lopped off the So Much from this trio, and just started in with the ASTB, which honestly, I kinda liked. We later found out that's the switch they made for adding in JTR, because Spoiler Alert: Even though they started 72 minutes late, they played us an entire show because that's the kind of band they are. 8/10
DIGGING A DITCH
eh. They can't all be winners. 3/10
LET'S DANCE
Love this. Second time hearing it this summer, and it's the perfect cover for them. 9/10
SO DAMN LUCKY
This is a great song, but I'm kind of over it. I was at least relieved that it was not in the encore spot because that really pisses me off. 6/10
THE LAST STOP
This was the cherry on top. So, so, so good. And it was Full Last Stop. Worth the trip to Gilford. 11/10
JUST BREATHE
Alway pretty. 8/10
GREY STREET
Not the best encore song, not the worst encore song (see So Damn Lucky). At this point I could care less, the show was amazing, I was on a high, and now I had to shift gears into DD mode and driving us through the black mountain hills. Good news, we survived the ride, made fried bologna sandwiches, marveled at the night, and tucked ourselves into bed with thoughts of sugar willed Daves dancing through our heads.
Stay tuned for a Bourbon & Beyond recap, where I have many more bands to review, in addition to DMB and quite possibly a Fall Tour trip out to Columbus.
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