Photos and Review by Max Stewart

Fall and pumpkins. Spring and flowers blooming. Summer and a DMB outdoor shed tour. Some things just feel right. It does not quite feel like summer until Dave Matthews Band has hit the road.

When the band made their way to Alpharetta‘s Ameris Bank Ampitheatre on a warm Wednesday night in early June, the packed house was ready for the bands signature jazz-meets-jam-meets-rock and all things in between sound. As Dave Matthews took the stage, the band sat in it for a few minutes before performing any song. Matthews always has a quirky yet endearing nature, and I think that is a part of the band’s appeal.

The always-smiley Carter Beauford on drums immediately noticed a fan in the front row with his signature golf gloves on and smiled and pointed. This really defines the good vibes of a DMB show. Just smiles and grooving in the summer sun. After “When the World Ends”, the band launched into the fan-favorite “Warehouse” to a chorus of fans singing alongside Matthews.

The setlist itself featured a good mix of new and old tunes, featuring four songs from 1998’s Before These Crowded Streets (including “Rapunzel”) as well as four tunes from their latest album, Walk Around the Moon. The new songs fit in quite well and the band is still in lockstep throughout all of their instrumental jams. Original bassist Stefan Lessard still is the backbone of the groove and always seems to be immersed in the song. Jeff Coffin and Rashawn Ross hold down the brass section, while Buddy Strong is the latest addition (well, since 2018) on the keys. Tim Reynolds provides the shred-tastic guitar licks to complement the band nicely thoughtout.

Nothing says a good Summer show like a DMB concert. Be sure to catch them out on the road this year!