Show Review

Hopes were high for fans as the Dave Matthews Band rolled into Atlanta’s HiFi Buys Amphitheatre in support of their latest release, Stand Up. Rumors were spreading around the parking lots before the show suggesting that tonight would be one to remember. From the opening chords of "One Sweet World," Dave and the band proved that indeed it would be.

Following "One Sweet World," they dipped into some new material with the next single, "Dream Girl," followed by a smoking version of "Don’t Drink the Water." Well received, but two songs that made older fans happy were "Say Goodbye," with an incendiary drum solo by Carter Beauford, and the extremely rare "#34," which brought smiles to many faces. A cover of the 60’s classic, "Time Of The Season," which many fans recognized because the chorus of "Tell it to me slowly," seemed to echo throughout the amphitheatre and brought everyone to their feet. And one of the more intimate performances of the night was when Dave took a seat center stage and performed one of the new songs "Stolen away on 55th &3rd.," revealing it’s true potential.

The highlight of the night though was when Dave stepped to the mic and invited a good friend to the stage, Trey Anastasio, who joined the band for possibly one of the sickest versions of "Jimi Thing" they have ever performed. Giving Anastasio plenty of room to fly, he rose to the challenge, and remained onstage for some dirty funk with "Louisiana Bayou," fitting with the hot and swampy weather of Georgia.

A hard set to top, they came back for an encore with rousing versions of "You Might Die Trying" and "What You Are." The Dave Matthews Band definitely mixed things up with a wide variety of new songs, older songs, and a rare treat. Fans, old and new, were not disappointed and, with a rare guest appearance by Trey Anastasio, the night can only be described as phenomenal.

Setlist

Dream Girl

Hunger For The Great Light

Say Goodbye

Time Of The Season

Stolen Away On 55th &3rd

Smooth Rider

Jimi Thing*

__________________

What You Are

Show Notes: * w/ Trey Anastasio

Photo by Adam Foley