Dave Matthews Band - Manchester Apollo 7th March 2010
Setlist: Proudest Monkey-Satellite / Don’t Drink the Water / Lying In the Hands of God / Funny The Way It Is / Seven / Sugar Will / Crash (Into Me) / Shake Me Like a Monkey / Spaceman-Corn Bread / #41 / You and Me / Jimi Thing / Burning Down The House / So Much To Say / Anyone Seen The Bridge-Too Much (Fake)-Ants Marching // Baby Blue / Two Step
Only two weeks ago, I stood in the Zenith in Munich watching this very same band. I was totally blown away by their professionalism, performance, and the variety in the setlist. For this Manchester gig, I was being accompanied by Chris, my youngest daughter’s boyfriend; a treat for him for his imminent 21st birthday. In addition, Chris is also a huge Carter Beauford fan, and an extremely talented drummer in his own right. If that was not enough pressure, this was also the first time I’d ever been to a gig with Chris (other than one he was playing in). DMB certainly had an awful lot to live up to in Manchester, as I had built this up somewhat, having seen them in Munich. Would they be able to cope? Only time would tell…
Click here to see the review and photos for the Munich gig
Click here to see the review and photos for the Munich gig
Oh come on, even I didn’t think that one was going to fly!
On Sunday, I was blown away all over again, by those exact same things, as well as the fact that this was, essentially, a completely different show. The alternate old songs they played gave the show a whole new feel and, even the new tracks were, to some extent, different. This was what I had expected, but it was still strange; with any other band, a gap of two weeks would have given me an almost identical gig-going experience. Then again, this is The Dave Matthews Band.
In Munich, I had predicted a setlist that was actually quite close to what we got in Manchester. To open with Proudest Monkey and Satellite had me as happy as a pig in the proverbial right, from the off. If I had been chuffed with Pantala Naga Pampa-Rapunzel two weeks ago, Proudest Monkey just about caused me to reach for the tissues. Slapping DDTW in at slot 3 and I was in 7th Heaven. Three of my favourites and we weren’t even warmed up yet. Lying in the Hands of God, Funny the Way it is, and Seven opened the account for the new songs and these really are so strong that they fit in with the older favourites so easily. Half an hour into the gig and I just knew that this was going to be epic.
On Sunday, I was blown away all over again, by those exact same things, as well as the fact that this was, essentially, a completely different show. The alternate old songs they played gave the show a whole new feel and, even the new tracks were, to some extent, different. This was what I had expected, but it was still strange; with any other band, a gap of two weeks would have given me an almost identical gig-going experience. Then again, this is The Dave Matthews Band.
In Munich, I had predicted a setlist that was actually quite close to what we got in Manchester. To open with Proudest Monkey and Satellite had me as happy as a pig in the proverbial right, from the off. If I had been chuffed with Pantala Naga Pampa-Rapunzel two weeks ago, Proudest Monkey just about caused me to reach for the tissues. Slapping DDTW in at slot 3 and I was in 7th Heaven. Three of my favourites and we weren’t even warmed up yet. Lying in the Hands of God, Funny the Way it is, and Seven opened the account for the new songs and these really are so strong that they fit in with the older favourites so easily. Half an hour into the gig and I just knew that this was going to be epic.
We found a space down towards the front but off to the left, so that we could enjoy the gig, without the crush. The Apollo is an old Art Deco cinema and the floor is on a gradient, so you can get a good view anywhere, and neither of us felt like jostling with the natives. I had taken some photos in Munich and wanted to try something different. I wanted to show some long shots and the lighting, and even some of the audience; there was no point in taking the same pictures I took two weeks ago.
As we settled in to the evening’s performance, I remembered something that had occurred to me at the previous gig: one of the odd things about the Dave Matthews Band is the complete lack of egos on the stage. For a band that is named after the front man (and Dave is unarguably the band’s focus and is the only one who seems to talk to the audience) the biggest cheer of the night for an individual, was for drummer, Carter Beauford. He is undoubtedly the most famous member of the band and, if anyone here is a star, ‘tis he. The guy is a legend, no doubt about it. You can’t help but watch him during his solos and wonder what the hell he’s been smoking to come up with some of those drum patterns. I mean, they are ridiculously complicated and technically difficult, but he plays them so well and makes it look so damn easy, in a really complex kind of way. Well, I’m sure you get my drift…
As we settled in to the evening’s performance, I remembered something that had occurred to me at the previous gig: one of the odd things about the Dave Matthews Band is the complete lack of egos on the stage. For a band that is named after the front man (and Dave is unarguably the band’s focus and is the only one who seems to talk to the audience) the biggest cheer of the night for an individual, was for drummer, Carter Beauford. He is undoubtedly the most famous member of the band and, if anyone here is a star, ‘tis he. The guy is a legend, no doubt about it. You can’t help but watch him during his solos and wonder what the hell he’s been smoking to come up with some of those drum patterns. I mean, they are ridiculously complicated and technically difficult, but he plays them so well and makes it look so damn easy, in a really complex kind of way. Well, I’m sure you get my drift…
I will say of the gig that, I never felt that it was a long set. In Munich, they played around 2 ¾ hours, same as in Manchester, but it just doesn’t feel that long. Normally, standing for such a long time, my back starts to ache, my ankles give me attitude, and my knees cry out for seating, but not at either DB gigs. In fact, when they started playing #41, I felt as though I may spontaneously combust. By Jimi Thing I was convinced my conflagration was a foregone conclusion. Ants Marching was the crowning glory for me on a very special night and I dashed towards the fire extinguisher, just in case…
I never did burst into actual flames, but I am sure I was close.
All of the songs I had wished for in Munich, I got in Manchester. I couldn’t believe how different, yet similarly excellent, DMB had been. This is a truly monster band on stage. I have seen many top names over the years, but this is the most impressed I have ever with a band’s live performance. Phenomenal!
I never did burst into actual flames, but I am sure I was close.
All of the songs I had wished for in Munich, I got in Manchester. I couldn’t believe how different, yet similarly excellent, DMB had been. This is a truly monster band on stage. I have seen many top names over the years, but this is the most impressed I have ever with a band’s live performance. Phenomenal!
Of course, the question that remains is: Which was the better gig?
Simple answer is neither. Both. I can’t differentiate between the two. For me, they were completely different concerts by the same band, but each was equally awesome. Neither had any factors that detracted from the overall show. Each of the musicians is at the top of their game and no-one seems to make any mistakes. The songs were played perfectly and the choice of songs was out of this world, each time. What is there to not be happy about? The real skill here is to make what is, obviously, meticulously rehearsed, to not appear so. This they do exceptionally well. It never seems forced, as if they are going through the motions, or a chore, to be playing for you. I think that it is simply that they enjoy what they do. This band deserves to be one of the biggest bands on the planet. Oh, wait. They are.
Still, still here dancing with The GrooGrux King…
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
10th March 2010
Simple answer is neither. Both. I can’t differentiate between the two. For me, they were completely different concerts by the same band, but each was equally awesome. Neither had any factors that detracted from the overall show. Each of the musicians is at the top of their game and no-one seems to make any mistakes. The songs were played perfectly and the choice of songs was out of this world, each time. What is there to not be happy about? The real skill here is to make what is, obviously, meticulously rehearsed, to not appear so. This they do exceptionally well. It never seems forced, as if they are going through the motions, or a chore, to be playing for you. I think that it is simply that they enjoy what they do. This band deserves to be one of the biggest bands on the planet. Oh, wait. They are.
Still, still here dancing with The GrooGrux King…
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
10th March 2010