Dave Matthews Band
Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21, 2012
Cruzan Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, Florida
Friday Night: 5 out of 5 stars
Saturday Night: 5 out of 5 stars
It was a hot and sticky night in West Palm on Friday. I for one was wondering, “Where can I get another a beer?” followed by or maybe simultaneously with “Dave, where have you been?” It’s been two summers since the Dave Matthews Band toured Florida, which could be why I forgot that a tall can of Bud Lite goes for $11.00 inside the roomy and airy confines of the Cruzan Amphitheatre. In my house, DMB has been sorely missed, since 20 years of non-stop touring tends to be habit forming. My wife has had this weekend’s shows circled or typed into every calendar I have access to, which is good because I’m a huge fan, too. So, to say we were psyched for the weekend would be a huge understatement. Judging by the turnout; infants in headphones, mothers-to-be, teens, college kids, stoners of all ages and average Joes like me, I was not alone.
Bassist Stefan Lessard and drummer Carter Beauford projected a well-practiced and comfortable vibe as they set the beat for a mellow evening. Violinist Boyd Tinsley, saxophonist Jeff Coffin, and guitarist Tim Reynolds timing was in perfect synch. I particularly enjoyed some of the additions Tim Reynolds made to many of DMB’s classic songs, giving them a kind of spacy feel. Of course Dave Matthews’ vocals were spot on as he danced about in his usual manner. The lights and lasers strobed in time to the music and added an incredible visual to the equally incredible sound as DMB played some favorites like “Ants Marching”, “Shake Me Like a Monkey”, and a powerful “Don’t Drink the Water” mixed with several new songs like “The Riff” from their upcoming album. For me, the highlight was the encore of “Pantala Naga Pampa” and “Rapunzel”.
On Saturday night there was a certain electric feel in the air similar to New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Fans packed into the Cruzan Amphitheatre and the crowd seemed significantly bigger, though made up of the same sort of people that attended on Friday. Like us, many attended Friday night’s show and a common phrase I kept hearing in the parking lot was “they’re always better on Saturday!” This was by no means an excuse or an out for Friday’s show because it was uttered to mean if you thought Friday rocked you ain’t seen nothing yet!
It started out kind of calm with “Grace is Gone”. For some reason Dave faced away for much of this song which reminded me of Jim Morrison and The Doors. Tim Reynolds sported a pair of Where’s Waldo Glasses later shared by Dave. The tempo and energy kept rising as Dave and company belted out “Alligator Pie” (personal favorite), “Funny the Way it is”, “Why I Am”, “Dancing Nancies”, and “Two Step”. Carter Beauford delivered several amazing and seemingly effortless drum solos which brought the few fans not standing to their feet. The opening act, Tower of Power, joined in on “Can’t Stop” which added 6 different horns to the song. I don’t think many people left before the encore but if they did they missed out with a nice rendition of “Sister” and a lively cover of Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank you.”
Simply put, I’ve seen DMB around 10 times at multiple venues and this weekend’s shows together were the best I’ve ever attended. These concerts easily rate 5 stars.
Friday Night Set List
1. Seven
2. Beach Ball
3. Seek Up
4. So Much to Say
5. Anyone Seen the Bridge
6. Too Much
7. Blue Water
8. Typical Situation
9. You and Me
10. Shake Me Like a Monkey
11. Mercy
12. Out of My Hands
13. Shotgun
14. Belly Belly Nice
15. Don’t Drink the Water
16. The Riff
17. So Damn Lucky
18. Ants Marching
Encore:
19. A Whiter Shade of Pale
20. Pantala Naga Pampa
21. Rapunzel
Saturday Night Set List
1. Grace Is Gone
2. Eh Hee
3. The Dreaming Tree
4. Alligator Pi
5. Minarets
6. Rhyme & Reason
7. If Only
8. Funny the Way It Is
9. Can’t Stop
10. Why I Am
11. Gaucho
12. Dancing Nancies
13. Warehouse
14. Time Bomb
15. Two Step
Encore:
16. Sister
17. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
