So Damn Lucky

A friend and I made the trip to Alpine Valley in East Troy, WI to see the Dave Matthews Band show on July 6.  The venue allowed cameras this year, so here are some pictures from the concert.  People attend Dave shows for lots of reasons: some go for the party, some go to them because it's tradition to attend one or more concerts every summer, and some go simply for the music. 

Almost there!

YAAAAAY!!!

The venue.  All seats will be filled and the upper lawns will be filled with fans.  Right around 40,000 people.

Somehow managed to get a glimpse of Dave pre-show.  Those are his twin daughters with him.  Their tour buses are behind them.

The Eco-Village had some nifty things, like a couple of these listening stations.

Listening to a track from the new album, due for release in September.

This is Brandi Carlile.  The opening act.  She's really good!  Go buy her music!  She has a Johnny Cash/Sheryl Crow/bluegrass vibe.  Solid vocals, strong guitar/piano work.

Hard working stage crew.  Setting the stage.

Look! Boyd's violin!

He has the best seat in the house.

Stage Left Solidarity.

Stefan Lessard, Rashawn Ross, Jeff Coffin.  Bass, trumpet, saxes, respectively.  Of these three, only Stefan is a founding member, Jeff was brought in after LeRoi's death to cover the sax parts, and Rashawn adds so much to the sound of the band.  Always tasteful, always musical.  The musicianship here is just incredible.

Boyd Tinsley, Tim Reynolds

 It was a hot night.  98-103 degrees.  But the band delivered three hours of solid, non-stop, energized music.  A good mix of old and new songs, including some of my personal favourites.  I try not to go into concerts hoping to hear one song, or expecting them to play certain songs.  They'll play what they want to play.  However, it was great to hear Seven as an opener, The Song That Jane Likes, You Never Know, and All Along the Watchtower.  Closing the show with Tripping Billies was perfect.

Dave, Stefan.

Carter is hidden behind his drum set.  He has a very busy style of playing, but it's never in the way.  Good drummers know how to add to the music without overwhelming it.

A great concert.  Despite the heat, the (very large) crowd seemed to be in good spirits, and the band was appreciative.  It's so great to be a part of something so big and so positive.

Rock on.
 :-)