This is the second DMB show for Nicole and a I this summer.

The set list for this show was very similar to the setlist played in Cincinnati, with half the songs being the same. This is not to say that I didn't enjoy hearing them again — the show was excellent.

Compared to Riverbend, the sound at Deer Creek (aka Verizion Wireless) was much better. Riverbend was very muffled and overly bass-heavy where I was sitting. Plus, the low ceiling of the Riverbend amphitheater gave a very cramped feeling. Deercreek is much preferred.

The Stone is a great opener and was just enjoyable the second time of the summer (for me). Pig was great; it was the first time my wife really "heard" the song and it instantly became one of her favorites. A guy sitting beside us threw a little stuffed piggy on the stage but didn't really get much of a reaction. (Neither did the person who threw full cup of beer on the stage, barely missing Matthews. Good thing for that person that they were not sitting beside me - I hate this type of behavior.) Grey Street again caused a huge smile across my face; this is my favorite of all the "Summer So Far" songs.

Bartender was dedicated to the death of a young person named Ian. This was about the only understandable speaking from Matthews between songs and everyone was quite for this dialog. A nice touch. The performance of the song was very similar to Riverbend, including the keyboard and penny whistle solos at the end.

One Sweet World was a good play of an early song and was a fairly standard representation. Fool To Think was a song I unfortunately overlooked on it's album release. After hearing it in concert twice, I see I was wrong to do so. Lots of energy and great sax -> violin riff. I'm glad my eyes have been opened. The Dancing Nancies into contained the Talking Heads verses of "This is not my beautiful house, this is not my beautifuler wife", which were a hit with the crowd.

The encore was the best part of the show for me. This is the first time I heard Greavedigger and I was very impressed. Very unique lyrics, a great repeating refrain, and a strong conveyance of personal reflection. I really need listen to this song some more. It also made me realize how much I miss the 'Dave and Tim' concerts; I'm really looking forward to the solo performance by Matthews at Farm Aid. What You Are is another song I overlooked on the Everyday release. It is not as great of a DMB tune as Fool to Think, but it is a great closer. Probably because it sounds so different from most other DMB music. It acts a musical conclusion due to the change in style.

In all, the atmosphere was more laid-back than the Cincinnati performance. Neither show was the type that had the crowd roaring with energy as I have experienced a few times in the past — although this in not to be expected every time. The exit process did not take us very long and the stop at Stake and Shake for a Chili Mac Supreme hit the spot.

Setlist:

Dave Matthews Band
August 10, 2002
Verizon Wireless Music Center, Noblesville, IN
The Stone G1
Pig G1
Grey Street G1
You Never Know G1
Rhyme and Reason G1
Grace Is Gone G1
So Much To Say …> G1
Anyone Seen the Bridge? …> G1
Too Much G1
Bartender G1
One Sweet World G1
Stir It Up (Tease) G1
Fool to Think G1
Dancing Nancies …> G1
Warehouse G1
Loving Wings …> G1
Where Are You Going G1
Two Step G1
Encore:
Gravedigger ~ G1
What You Are G1
Guests:
G1 Butch Taylor
Soundcheck:
When The World Ends
Stir It Up (no words- tease)
You Never Know
Notes:
~ Dave Solo

Nicole and I made the trek to Cincinnati to see DMB. For some reason, I decided at the last minute that we needed to see two shows, so I ordered tickets last minute on Ebay. As we arrived at the venue, I was surprised by the gravel parking lots, the abandoned carnival we walked through to get to the stadium, and the cramped feeling of the amphitheater; it's big so why does it seem so small? Before the show started, I ran into my brothers high school girlfriend Heater - I was trying to figure out why I knew her; I knew I recognized her but couldn't understand why I couldn't place her in my accounting class. Then I realized, I shouldn't be thinking Columbus, Indiana, I need to be thinking Elizabethtown, Kentucky! I felt like a moron. Oh well.

This Riverbend had a set list consisting of several of the best songs from the latest album and many of older songs that are among my favorites. I heard What Would You Say live for the first time I could remember, but it wasn't the musical highlight of the show.

The first peak for me was lyrical finale near the end of Grey Street. That's when the concert began for me. I heard Living Wings for the first time; a great highlight of the sax but I'm not sure I like it that much. The Big Eyed Fish -> Bartender was somewhat standard fair. The long lull of the groaning violin as Matthews switched guitars really built anticipation. Butch Taylor's keyboard work at the end of the piece really adds a lot of value to this song.

Dancing Nancies was my favorite part of the show. I love the song, I have some great memories from when I'd heard it live in the past, and those memories were proven to be as great as I rememberd them. This is probably my favorite DMB song to hear live, espicially when Boyd Tinsley is ON. There are always subtle and sometimes not so subtle differences in his solos. This particular performance was more of a driving rythm. Two Step had an very long keyboard display that allowed Butch Taylor to shine. The total song length was about 15 minutes and led the audience through highs, slow sections, and virtuoso solo displays. A perfect end to the main protion of the concet.

Watchtower, a regular closer, showcased Stefan Lessard on the bass, as has been customary for several years now. His opening solo was more pronounced and clear than when I heard it played two years prior. A nice evolution of his intro. A perfect ending to a show showcasing both old and new.

Setlist:

Dave Matthews Band
August 8, 2002
Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
Crush G1
What Would You Say G1
When the World Ends G1
Captain G1
The Stone G1
Grey Street G1
You Never Know G1
Everyday G1
Loving Wings …> G1
Where Are You Going G1
Big Eyed Fish …>
Bartender G1
Dancing Nancies G1
Proudest Monkey …> G1
Satellite G1
Fool to Think G1
Two Step G1
Encore:
Digging a Ditch G1
All Along The Watchtower G1
Guests:
G1 Butch Taylor

I'm going to see a Dave Matthews Band concert tonight. It's been a couple of years since I've seen them live, so I'm looking forward to it. They have been a favorite group since I was a junior in college. Am I struggling to holding on to my youth? Yes, but not because I like this group. The last time I heard them play, I had an ear-to-ear grin for about 2 1/2 hours. Lots of musical creativity and energy (from them, not me).

My wife and I briefly discussed the names of some of their songs and I got to thinking about the "lyrics". There are a few basic categories into which almost every DMB song could be categorized. Many songs fit in several of these categories.
Dieing
Drinking
Doinking
Dreaming

In regards to the first category, my own mortality has become more apparent to me in the past couple of years. Maybe I should expand my musical horizons! But more likely is the case that I am facing reality and using that to my advantage. But tonight, I'm just going to listen to the music and not do much thinking!

Why do people "go back to school"? I'm pondering this because of my own situation and because of the choices made by some co-workers. I'm trying to think beyond the typical answers such as "to get a better job" or "to make more money".

As opposed to "to get a better job", I believe the real response should be "because I'm tired of my current job but I really don't want to look for another job so I just start educating myself for something different and see what happens when I'm finished". Not nearly as impressive of an answer, but at some level it is probably true.

The people who want to make more money probably really mean that they want fame, fortune, and importance and that is probably the motivation for most of what they do. At least when the "going back to school" is reference to obtaining an MBA. Most people who go back to school for an MBA already had a decent paying job and won't increase their pay by much after completing the degree. There has to be additional motivation besides $.

Another possible reason is "because I've been out of school, I'm becoming a grown-up, I'm starting to feel old and boring, and school is more fun than working." That is a very realistic response, especially if the person is going back to school full-time. That's part of the reason I'd like to go back to school full-time. It takes a lot of courage to quit your job for a couple of years to chase your youth of the past and your dreams of the future. It also costs much more money, especially if your employer is paying for your part-time tuition.

Why am I going back? I think it's a combination of responses 1 and 3. And also the Everest theory: because it's there and it's something to achieve for person satisfaction, even if you don't have anything to show for it afterwards. Are there other reasons? Probably. I'm still thinking.