This weekend Concert Panther and I embarked on two separate journeys to go see one of our favorites, Dave Matthews Band. Here are each night’s set list with my personal review. I have bolded the songs that are extra special to me.

Our seats were not the best for this show. We were in section 6, row fuck all so I had very little room to see since I’m 5′3″ and everyone else is gigantic. Not to mention, a douche next to me spent most of the show being drunk off of his ass and dancing erratically in front of me. I actually had to forcefully push him away so that I could get past him to get to the bathroom when all he wanted to do was dance with me. You would think that all of these factors would upset the experience for me. On the contrary, this is probably one of the best shows I have been to. As you see, most everything on that set list was bolded for me. I heard a lot of favorites and being so far back allowed us to get a full stage perspective, which includes a fantastic light show and video artistry. Even when we had to sit down (I got a little dehydrated), we couldn’t see anything obviously since everyone else was standing, but we could appreciate the sound of it on a completely different level. It was kind of like Dave was singing just for us behind a curtain of hippies.

We went home satisfied with our experience, albeit broker after wasting our money on $8 beers and a $7 cup of wine, not to mention $4 waters. Regardless, we were excited to come back the next day to see what the band had in store for us.

Now not as much is bolded on this one, but I think the atmosphere around this certainly overshadows the last. Once we arrived it immediately began a torrential down pour. Oddly, I did not seem to mind and only wondered how they would incorporate the rain into the show if it continued like they have done in the past. We got to our seats, soaked but ok while we listened to the band Gomez for the end of their opening set. Our seats were MUCH better. They were identical to the seats we had last year, section 3, row U (I think?). AKA - We were just feet away from the stage. I could see perfectly, no one was in my way and I didn’t even need the screens. Plus, being soaking wet helped with any sort of heat exhaustion I could’ve potentially experienced! Pneumonia saves the day again!

The rain stopped just before DMB hit the stage. I’m so grateful to have the seats that we did since we could now get a more up close and personal view of the happenings on stage. The light show did not have as much of an effect on us, but what I did enjoy was seeing the band interact with each other throughout the night. Every time they would smile at one another acknowledging the rights, wrongs, good jobs or whatever of the night was ours to share with them. I especially enjoyed seeing Dave and Carter fist bump after almost every drum solo. I want to say Carter was having some sort of malfunction with his set up yet he was remarkable in his playing. Still smiling, laughing and blowing bubbles with his gum all the while.

Obviously this show has a special place in my heart since it’s the first time I heard my favorite song, Crush live. It did not disappoint and included great solos from everyone. I’m pleased that I got to hear it last night as opposed to Friday since we had better seats.

Crush - Dave Matthews Band (Live in West Palm Beach, FL. 07/12/08)

Also - last night appeared to be the night of cover songs and they had some great ones. The “Money Medley” was a particular favorite of mine and “Thank You” was great as it included audience participation, with the cameras turned onto us singing the chorus. It was a great way to close the show.

The two concerts made for a very memorable weekend for me. Props go to my #1 concert buddy, Concert Panther for sharing it with me!

I know I just spoke about Ladytron performing at The Social but what I didn’t know was it’s to support their new album, Velocifero.

I got my newsletter and they gave me their first song, Black Cat, for free which I will now share with you all.

Direct Link

Here’s a full tour schedule. I get to see them twice (Orlando and Bonaroo).
First European live dates of 2008

30 Apr 2008 Academy 3 UK, Manchester
1 May 2008 Vooriut Belgium, Gent
2 May 2008 Paris France La Maroquinerie
3 May 2008 Paradiso Netherlands, Amsterdam
5 May 2008 Postbahnhof Germany, Berlin
6 May 2008 Backstage Germany, Munich
7 May 2008 Magazzini Generali Italy, Milano
9 May 2008 Forward Festival Spain, Madrid
3 May 2008 Paradiso Netherlands, Amsterdam
5 May 2008 Postbahnhof Germany, Berlin
6 May 2008 Backstage Germany, Munich
7 May 2008 Magazzini Generali Italy, Milano
9 May 2008 Forward Festival Spain, Madrid
10 May 2008 Forward Festival Spain, Valencia
13 May 2008 Oran Mor UK, Glasgow
14 May 2008 Digital UK, Newcastle
15 May 2008 Astoria UK, London
16 May 2008 Tripod Ireland, Dublin

North America Tour Spring/Summer 08

05/20 tue Edmonton, AB , The Starlite Room
05/21 wed Calgary, AB , The Warehouse
05/23 fri Vancouver, BC , Commodore Ballroom
05/24 sat Seattle, WA , Showbox
05/25 sun Portland, OR , Wonder Ballroom
05/27 tue San Francisco, CA , Fillmore
05/29 thu Los Angeles, CA , Henry Fonda
05/30 fri Los Angeles, CA , Henry Fonda
05/31 sat San Diego, CA , The Belly Up
06/02 mo Salt Lake City, UT , In The Venue
06/03 tue Denver, CO , The Gothic
06/05 thu Dallas, TX , Palladium Ballroom
06/06 fri Austin, TX , Stubbs
06/07 sat Houston, TX , Meridian
06/08 sun New Orleans, LA , House Of Blues
06/10 tue Orlando, FL , Club Firestone
06/11 wed Tampa, FL , Czar
06/12 thu Miami, FL , Studio A
06/13 fri Atlanta, GA , Variety Playhouse
06/15 sun Manchester, TN , Bonaroo Festival
06/16 mo St. Louis, MO , The Pageant
06/17 tue Chicago, IL , Vic Theater
06/18 wed Detroit, MI , St. Andrews Hall
06/25 wed New York, NY , Terminal 5
06/26 thu Philadelphia, PA , Theater of Living Arts
06/27 fri Baltimore, MD , Sonar
06/28 sat Washington, DC , 9:30 Club
06/30 mo Boston, MA , Paradise
07/02 wed Montreal, PQ , Metropolis
07/03 thu Quebec City, PQ , Theatre Imperial de Quebec
07/04 fri Toronto, ON , Harbourfront Centre

Ladytron Site
iTunes
MySpace
The first photo is from when I went and saw them in 2006. More in my Flickr set.

Concert Panther reminded me with his post that there are some great shows coming up at one of my favorite venues in Orlando, The Social.

• Iron and Wine @ The Plaza Theatre
• *VHS or Beta @ The Social
• **Ladytron with guest Datarock @ Club Firestone

* Attending personally
** Planning on attending

They Might Be Giants are currently making their way around the US, promoting both 2007’s The Else and this year’s Here Come the 123s, ‘edutainment’ album geared toward children. Today they happened to stop in the studio of one of the stations I listen to.. (An all-talk radio station, strangely enough.)

I managed to capture this 40 minute live studio session / interview… so give it a listen, be sure to check out their new albums, and if you’re lucky enough to have them come through your area, get your tickets now!

They Might Be Giants - Live Session at Real Radio, Orlando - March 13, 2008