It’s summer time again in Upstate New York which means a couple of things: the weather is gorgeous, people are hiking in our state parks, and another season of concerts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is underway. Jack Johnson may have had the first major show of the season, but on Friday May 30th, Dave Matthews Band kicked off a two night stand at the venue. A regular stop on the band’s summer tour, the nearly-sold out crowd was ravenous all evening, standing, singing, and swaying along to every song the band played through two sets.
To start the show, Dave Matthews came on stage solo for a special acoustic set that is starting every show this tour. Stating how “It’s always nice to spend a weekend here in Saratoga” and that SPAC is one of his favorite venues to play, he went right into a cover of Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” for the first time since July 20th, 2012. After the song finished, the rest of the band took the stage and they went into a rousing rendition of “Two Step.” Ending the set with “Stay (Wasting Time)”, Dave stated that they would be back shortly for the electric portion of the evening.
After about a half hour break, the band retook the stage with a full light show and everyone plugged in for what would be a great two hour set of music that spanned his whole career. The one-two punch of “Don’t Drink the Water” and “American Baby” had the crowd loud and engaged right off the bat. One thing that cannot be understated is the relationship the crowd has with the band. There are few other crowds that have the devotion and love for the Dave Matthews Band that his fans do. The double encore of “The Space Between” and “All Along the Watchtower” capped off a great evening of music. Now that the annual weekend of Dave Matthews has come and gone, summer is here and it’s looking to be a great one in Upstate New York.
Set One (Acoustic): A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Two Step, Stolen Away on 55th & 3rd, What Would You Say, I’ll Back You Up, Tripping Billies, Sugar Man, Stay (Wasting Time)
Set Two (Electric): Don’t Drink The Water, American Baby, #27, Belly Belly Nice, Lie In Our Graves, Rooftop, So Much To Say > Anyone Seen The Bridge > Too Much, Proudest Monkey > Warehouse, #41 > Granny, Grey Street
Encore: The Space Between, All Along The Watchtower
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