ST. LOUIS — Some bands evolve, trying new things and stretching their music as far as they can without abandoning their core identity. Other bands just play what they know best, seeking refuge in the delight of visiting old friends by doing that one thing a little different this time.
Dave Matthews Band belongs to the latter group. They are a jam band, and don't wish-or need to-change for anybody. On a beautiful Wednesday night in front of a packed Hollywood Casino Amphitheater audience, the seasoned band rocked out with 2.5 hours of music, including new songs, old goodies, and a couple covers. The usual treats from these Charlottesville, Virginia musicians.
There was no opening band, because to be honest, D.M.B doesn't really need one. Opening bands are there because the headliner doesn't want to play an extremely long set. Since the roadies literally have to pull Matthews off the stage after he's sweat through his second shirt, there is no need for a softcore opener.
The good thing about Matthews and company is they just come out, say hello again, and just get into the goods. Matthews, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, looks like a college student who just rolled out of bed ten minutes late, taking the stage a little disheveled. However, the moment he opens his mouth, the crowd is at ease.
The band showed off plenty of tunes from their new album, Come Tomorrow, including the opener, "That Girl Is You." The sweet little love song was a nice commencement, with the band knocking off some rust as they kicked off their summer tour in the blossoming spring atmosphere of St. Louis county.
And then they played No. 41, which should remind any D.M.B addict of the late band member, saxophonist and founding member LeRoi Moore, who passed away in 2008 after an accident near his home. Thankfully, Jeff Coffin has filled in nicely over the past decade, holding his own in classic tracks like this one.
Another new track, the slow-building but swoon worthy "Do You Remember," was next. "Do you remember, when we were young, do you remember, when we made believe," Matthews sang warmly to the crowd.
St. Louis remembered easily, even if the band skipped this spot on their album-launching tour last summer. With a crew like this, as familiar as grass growing fast in May, listening to live songs is like putting on that old reliable pair of jeans. There are always doubts, but in the end, the comfort wins.
A mix of old classics like "Don't Drink The Water," "Satellite," and "Say Goodbye" mixed with recent tracks like "Raven" and newbie, "Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Began)." That's when Matthews had to address something. A chant that wouldn't die.
"Let's Go Blues" spread like a sophisticated wind during the first hour of the show, and before Matthews launched into a blues song, "Stay or Leave." Well good luck ya'll. Thank you for spending the evening with us. I hope you have no regrets," he said with his classic drawl and chuckle.
The crowd was happy. All you had to do was look left and see a couple dancing to The Stone, and to your right to see a woman shaking her hips to a cover of Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer." While that tune is a popular cover for the band, they saved their concert high moment for what followed next.
A one-two punch of "Louisiana Bayou" and "Jimi Thing" soaked up over 30 minutes, showing the band at their best, jamming for several minutes and expanding the song like it was written yesterday. This is where the lovers of the band and the casual observers separate. There are some who want a band to sound exactly as they do on the album, and the others who want a wild and unkempt yet focused version. I like the latter.
How can you not like Carter Beauford slamming the drums with a wide grin on his face, St. Louis native Tim Reynolds playing the guitar like he has 15 fingers, or Stefan Lassard giving the entire sound a rhythm with his work on bass. Rashawn Ross working in the trumpet like an extra flavor of ice cream on top of the cake.
After a twisty turn including Shake Me Like A Monkey, a cover of The Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle," and the somber yet soulful Grace is Gone, the band closed the set with What You Say for the first time in 15 years, according to The Setlist Wiki website.
During their encore, newcomer, keyboardist Buddy Strong, shared a nice back and forth play with Reynolds on "Ants Marching," which helped with the missing presence of violinist Boyd Tinsley, who had to leave the band for personal reasons.
As the clock sped towards 11 p.m. the band took their final bows, with Matthews even posing for a few selfies before leaving the stage, fortifying the bridge between spectacle and human musician.
The band's first appearance in St. Louis in years was as smooth and thrilling as the last, the mark of a band comfortable in its own skin and resisting the urge to change. A band that knows exactly how to get the most out of their talent and merge it together on stage into a collective harmony that thousands have paid to see for the past 28 years. That's right, Wednesday's show took place nearly 28 years to the day after the band's first official gig back on May 11, 1991 on the rooftop of the pink warehouse in Charlottesville.
All I saw was a group of dudes who looked like they were still lucky enough to play for a crowd. Outside of telling the crowd about his relentless perspiration ("I sweat more than the average bear"), Matthews routinely said, "thank you," and one call tell it is genuine. He knows people could do other things with their time and money and is well aware of the countless number of bands and easy to access outlets for music. Still, the crowd shows up, so they play.
Some bands evolve with each album. Others try that at one time but revert back to what got them to the top. They stick with what feels right. This isn't to say the band's music all sounds the same. Tell me "Gravedigger" and "Tripping Billies" sound the same, and I'll put you in music jail. At the heart of their music, though, D.M.B have always been a jam band.
Wednesday night, they showed the audience that they still got it. The Blues may have lost the battle, but music lovers sure won the war.
