The Dave Matthews Band wrapped up its latest North American Tour with a truly epic set in front of a capacity crowd at the Hollywood Bowl on Monday night, Sept. 10.
Performing for more than 2 hours and 40 minutes without intermission, Matthews and his six-man band — as well as a number of guest players who came and went during the show — delivered a mix of fan favorites and stellar versions of tracks from his outstanding 2018 album “Come Tomorrow.”
The energy in the house was electric from the time Matthews and company took the stage, with Matthews guiding his acoustic guitar and the early moments of the night gently into the aptly-titled “One Sweet World.” An extended lush jazz-filled introduction enhanced by the subtle work of trumpet player Rashawn Ross bolstered the sway of the song.
Dave Matthews sings “That Girl Is You” as he leads The Dave Matthews Band during their performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dave Matthews dances across the stage as The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Dave Matthews leads The Dave Matthews Band during their performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dave Matthews smiles at guitarist Tim Reynolds during The Dave Matthews Band performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Guitarist Tim Reynolds performs with The Dave Matthews Band during their performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dave Matthews leads The Dave Matthews Band during their performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Guitarist Tim Reynolds performs behind Dave Matthews as The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Keyboardist Buddy Strong, of The Dave Matthews Band, claps as he performs with the band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bassist Stefan Lessard performs with The Dave Matthews Band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Saxophonist Jeff Coffin performs with The Dave Matthews Band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Drummer Carter Beauford backs The Dave Matthews Band during their performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Keyboardist Buddy Strong, of The Dave Matthews Band, smiles as he performs with the band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Trumpeter Rashawn Ross, left, and saxophonist Jeff Coffin perform with The Dave Matthews Band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Trumpeter Rashawn Ross performs with The Dave Matthews Band at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An intense Dave Matthews stares out to the crowd as The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dave Matthews kicks off the last show of their summer tour with “One Sweet World” as The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dave Matthews kicks off the last show of their summer tour with “One Sweet World” as The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dave Matthews kicks off the last show of their summer tour with “One Sweet World” as The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dave Matthews glances over his shoulder as The Dave Matthews Band performs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
After delivering that seven-minute track, Matthews thanked the audience, noting this was the last night of the tour: “If you think at any point we are being self-indulgent, you are correct.”
The audience was happy to share in the DMB’s indulging its desires without restraint, cheering the group on through energetic highs and sparse quiet moments. Early highlights included “That Girl Is You” (featuring Matthews singing much of the early part of the track with falsetto vocals before the song picked up fire), “#41” with a kaleidoscope of interesting visuals projected on a large screen behind the stage while the song itself featured dynamic turns from sax player Jeff Coffin and lead guitarist Tim Reynolds before there was an interesting blend of horns and keyboards.
Fans responded most to classic tracks such as “Don’t Drink the Water” and late-set entries such as the sing-along “Everyday” and beloved “Ants Marching,” but the strength of the night was that every cut could provide something special. A mostly faithful version of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” turned the enduring venue into a huge dance floor, and a guest appearance from keyboardist Mark Batson who joined Matthews for a tender “When I’m Weary was as quiet as it was beautiful.
Later in the set, a large string section came on stage and joined the band for a three-song mini set that included the lovely “Here On Out,” powerful “Come On Come On” and rocking “Squirm,” the last featuring a gigantic symphonic finish.
“Thanks for indulging us; we don’t do this kind of thing very often,” Matthews said at the end of that trio of songs.
Those who didn’t stay for the encore missed out big time. The 10-minute finale included a spectacular version of the new song “Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Begin)” off the band’s “Come Tomorrow,” the grooving rocker “Why I Am” and a potent take on Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” that morphed into the climatic moments of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” complete with Reynolds’ lead guitar mirroring the classic fretwork of Jimmy Page.
