DMB Does it Again

Quite possibly the happiest band ever!

For all the Dave Matthews Band fans...you already know this...to all others...This bands' following is real and soooo very loyal! Although I am not a Dave Matthews super fan, I am however the friend of one. One of my closest friends, Stefanie, is a DMB super fan. And I went with her to the Shoreline Ampitheater last weekend for his NorCal show. It was her 24th DMB concert. Stef and I worked alongside each other for a decade and every time we got near the end of a year, she'd start putting up her new Dave Matthews Band calendar for the coming year. And that was my introduction to the Dave Matthews Band.

L to R Stefan Lessard on bass, Dave, Rashawn Ross on trumpet, Jeff Coffin on sax.

Although I am not a superfan like Stefanie, (I've only seen him 3 or 4 times thusfar), I always enjoy the show. (Partly due to my concert companion). This time around was no exception. And for me, photographing the gig, and being with my super fan friend, just adds to the fun of the event.

Me shooting in the pit bottom left. Photo credit: Stefanie Garzoli

About the Dave Matthews Band...what has been steady in all of his shows that I have attended, is that all the musicians on stage are so talented, all excellent musicians! Carter Beauford, his drummer is amazing. And if you are a regular reader here, you know, for me, the drummer is always the most important element in the band. And Carter's skills are so incredibly solid that I beleive, no one can dispute his talents. If the drummer's not good, then the music gets lost and doesn't ever sound great (to me). So thank you to Carter Beauford for always being solid and holding it together!

However, the DMB is more than the drummer...they are an excellent seven piece band, and they seem to be the happiest seven players I've witnessed. The comeraderie on stage is infectious. And Carter never stops smiling! This helps at any show. They seem so happy to be doing what they're doing. We've all experienced people who are not happy to be doing what they're doing, in any type of task and/or job in life. This band is not that, and always so happy to be playing together. They seem to really love each other and their jobs. The band was formed in 1991 by Dave, Carter and Stefan. The whole band consists of Dave Matthews lead vocals and guitar, Stefan Lessard bass, Carter Beauford drums, Tim Reynolds guitar, Rashawn Ross trumpet, Jeff Coffin sax, and Buddy Strong keys. Compared to last time Stef and I saw the DMB (2 years ago), my personal opinion of this performance was that it was a tad low energy. But to look around at the entire audience of 20,000 people, all up on their feet and singing along with each song...it didn't appear to matter as it seemed everyone was having such a good time. The happiness was spread from the stage, and I think does affect the audience. As it does with this group of happy musicians that seems so excited to be there, doing what they do. I was thrilled to be able to go to this show with a DMB super fan (and who just happens to be my dear friend, as it always makes the event better).

I asked my DMB superfan pal Stef to give me a description from her life long DMB POV: She wrote, "As a proud Dave Matthews Band super fan who’s been to 24 shows and counting, I was back at Shoreline on August 23 (2025) soaking in another night with the band that’s been the soundtrack to so many chapters of my life. The band brought their signature energy, and hearing “Jimi Thing,” “Rapunzel,” and “Satellite” live again was everything I hoped for. The crowd was locked in, the jams were tight, and the vibe was classic DMB from start to finish. It was another solid chapter in my long-running journey with the band, and I’m already looking forward to the next one."

At the end of the show, after playing for 2 and three quarter hours, Dave got a tad political, which for me, was just being responsible with the public platform that he has. As does Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, Bono, Taylor Swift and so many more celebs and rockstars, in this dark and ugly political time. What with all the messed up politics and inhumane acts that are going on today in the world, and in this country, I'm glad the music industry is using their voice and speaking up. At the end whilst Dave was alone on stage, after speaking his mind, he held up two signs for the audience and walked them across the stage as he made his way to exit. We must always keep in mind from what everyone knows from world history...IGNORING IT IS WHAT THE GERMANS DID, and we all know how that ended. I am so happy the music industry is stepping up and speaking out, rather than staying quiet about the horrible atrocities happening today.

Dave getting political at the end of the show.

Dave speaking his mind.

Now more than ever, I believe in the following words. The Music Soup ends many articles with these words, usually changing them up a bit. Some of this quote has been attributed to Aerosmiths' Steven Tyler...I also added my own words. They should be dear to us all, as the climate of hate and uncertainty is at an all time high. And we simply do not know what tomorrow will bring....."Life is short...break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, meditate often, have the hard conversations because they make life richer, be kind to each other, tell those you love that you love them, and never regret anything that made you smile". And of course...see live music!" I'd like to add one more....as we age and people around us pass, as in my last published story about my friend Bill that left us suddenly from a heart attack. I regret putting off calling him when he asked, so in future I will always keep in mind an additional personal rule..."never put off speaking to someone you care about, because we simply don't know if they'll be with us tomorrow." ❤️🥁🎵 I have posted, and will be posting more Dave Matthews Band videos from the show on my You Tube channel please check, it out and subscribe: youtube.com/@TheMusicSoupVideo?sub_confirmation=1 For some DMB music suggestions (affliliate links): Under the Table and Dreaming https://amzn.to/45G5UhR Crash https://amzn.to/41uR5w7 Before These Crowded Streets https://amzn.to/46cLDk6 The camera gear used to shoot the show: Canon R6 Body https://amzn.to/41sSO5d Canon 70-200 lens https://amzn.to/3JERnKL (My Fave lens - I LOVE this lens!) Canon R8 Body https://amzn.to/3VvEpS5 Canon 24-70 lens https://amzn.to/3JCV9Eu

DMB Does it Again

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