Dave Matthews Band - Photo credit: John Kosiewicz

Dave Matthews Band Fall 2022 Tour

In September 2022, Dave Matthews Band announced the Fall 2022 Tour which includes 11 shows in 17 days across North America. The tour launched on November 2nd at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC – the first of three Pacific Northwest dates. The tour included shows at Target Center in Minneapolis and Chicago’s United Center. The conclusion of the tour is the weekend before Thanksgiving with a two-night stand at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Tonight was the nineth time that I’ve seen Dave Matthews Band live. However, it’s the first indoor arena show. It’s been eight years since the two day shows I saw the 2014 Summer Tour at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago (check out the post and photos). What I look forward to is hearing a couple newer songs, as well as see the new band configuration. Here are some of the highlights I picked out from the night.

Sold Out

Considering the show was on a snowy, cold Tuesday night in November, the fans were out to support the band with a completely sold out United Center. Looking around the arena, it absolutely was filled to the brim for the approximately 23,500-capacity indoor arena.

The Show

With the lights down low, the band members strolled onto the stage. As he walked around the stage, Matthews looked at the crowd, waving around, even pointing over to me. He shook hands with the other band members as to say, “We’re gonna have a great show.”

Whether it was an official tease or not, the extended intro to “Madman’s Eyes” is distinctly similar to “Last Stop” or “Minarets.” Since Matthews didn’t have the 12-string, it was not likely “Last Stop” but possibly “Minarets” considering it was Dave’s standard 6 string. Although “Madman’s Eyes” was first debuted about 1 year ago, this was only the second time it was used to open the show. It was definitely a powerful way to open the show.

Coming in the third spot of the set was “Louisiana Bayou”. This song gave all the artist a change to solo and get the crowd pumped up. During the evening, Matthews stopped to congratulate Jeff Coffin, who had just received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for his new album, Between Dreaming And Joy. One thing I really enjoy about DMB is their random cover songs. This night was no exception. Whether is was it because of the rainy day or not, the covered “Fool in the Rain” by Led Zeppelin. The band performed it well and the crowd seemed to loved it. “So Damn Lucky” was cool when the whole crowd started singing “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (Sly & the Family Stone cover)

Opening artist, Dumpstaphunk were an added bonus to the show. Joining DMB on stage, Alex Wasily and Ashlin Parker jammed out during “Jimi Thing,” as well as “Ants Marching.” During “Jimi Thing” Wasily, Parker, Coffin and Ross were doing a four way battle.

Conclusion

In the end, Dave Matthews Band puts on a great performance. With a discography spanning 30 years of material to choose from, they do a great job of balancing their radio hits with deep cuts that fans want to hear, as well as changing the set list from show to show. Also, I enjoyed the interaction between the band members watching them each giving and getting stage cues. Lastly, the lighting and video production were a sight to see.

Dave Matthews Band Link

To stay up to date on the latest news and to catch Dave Matthews Band on tour, check out: davematthewsband.com

Dave Matthews Band (via SetList.fm)

United Center, Chicago, IL
November 15, 2022

Madman’s Eyes
Grace Is Gone
Louisiana Bayou
If Only
Funny the Way It Is
The Best of What’s Around
The Ocean and the Butterfly
The Song That Jane Likes
You Might Die Trying
Proudest Monkey
Satellite
Fool in the Rain (Led Zeppelin cover)
Come Tomorrow
So Damn Lucky (Dave Matthews song)
–> Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Sly & the Family Stone cover)
Jimi Thing
Kill the Preacher (Partial Song)
Why I Am
Ants Marching

Encore:
Virginia in the Rain (Dave Solo)
Don’t Drink the Water

Photo Gallery – John Kosiewicz