Just Hear Me Out - Writing Setlists

[maker23]

It has recently been brought to my attention, that Phish doesn't pre-write a setlist before entering the stage prior to a concert. This in my opinion adds enjoyment to your concert experience as everything just hits you spontaneously. With a Dave Matthews concert, if you're an avid fan, you basically know every song that is going to be played, with the exception of a few that Dave might want to throw in there in the spur of the moment when writing the setlist, by reading setlists from previous nights. If Dave and the Boys feel they are comfortable enough to play a wide variety of songs tight enough to pull out live, us the fans will enjoy a concert more. Bare in mind folks, that the DMB catalog has contained nearly 85 songs or more, including insightful cover songs. For example, i went to five concerts this tour, and every single one of them played WWYS, SMTS, R & R, and WTWE, as well as many others that were consistently played within the summer tour. All I ask is that they keep it fresh out there, they may even enjoy it themselves.

Josh

[Bryan]

Personally, i despise Phish, and so im glad each time i discover another way that DMB doesnt mimic them.

[GraveDiggingADitch]

The band may keep a few songs in its setlist every night, but I think they try to mix it up for the fans as they play a series at a specific venue. I dont go to the show expecting to hear different songs every night, i expect the same, but I also look forward to the jams that they plan on them as they do mix those up all the time

[firedancing4life]

For example, i went to five concerts this tour, and every single one of them played WWYS, SMTS, R & R, and WTWE, as well as many others that were consistently played within the summer tour.Did you hit a multi stop night? They hardly doubled up this tour except for the new songs at multi stop venues. They always seem to keep a couple in constant rotation, however...if you've heard the Cali Radio clips...Stephan says they sometimes double check setlist from the past to make sure they give them a different opener or close or encore than the previous years.

[Charles]

I like the way the band handles there setlists. I would rather see a DMB concert over most other bands that have the same exact setlist day in day out for the whole tour. This year i bought a two night stand in ma to see the beastie boys. Both nights the setlist were the same.. routine was the same. The second night i left half way through.. I know Van Halen does that too. I havent been to many other concerts beside DMB in the past 5 years. But thats just 2 cents

[OlivePoet]

Don't forget, they don't always follow the setlist to a tee. GGT wasn't supposed to be played at the Dayton, OH VFC show (10/2/04?), but the guys decided to throw it in there. :thumbsup:

[Bryan]

Don't forget, they don't always follow the setlist to a tee. GGT wasn't supposed to be played at the Dayton, OH VFC show (10/2/04?), but the guys decided to throw it in there. :thumbsup:
for the record, GGT never appeared on the setlists....they considered it more of a jam.

[OlivePoet]

for the record, GGT never appeared on the setlists....they considered it more of a jam.Something I never knew. :boings:

[Proudest Monkey]

i didn't know that either and hell i was there....it was one helluva show (from what i remember anyway<----thanks brandon!!)

[Dave L]

There is always some unique touch during every performance, no matter how minute, I'm a sucker for the details.:biggrin:

[Brandon]

for the record, GGT never appeared on the setlists....they considered it more of a jam.
Hmm..I didn't know that either...I know the lyrics were always changing. I remember at Bonnaroo he said it was a song that was about tonight, and the lyrics then obviously fit with what goes on at the Roo...guess I still prefer the original.

[Virtuoso]

What alot of devoted fans that go to mutiple shows during the stretch of a summer tour have to understand is that more likley than not you are going to get a few of the same songs over and over and over. Thats because the band plays more for fans that can only get to one show per tour because those fans are the majority. Thats why they play all the new songs at every show. Even the multi-night shows. They dont want one fan to miss whats next to come from the band. Most of the fans cant afford or for several other reason are unable to travel with the band from stop to stop. So the band will play from good ol' fan favs like WWYS R&R and SMTS and so on. But in the end the majority of the setlist is mixed up for every show.

Myke

[maker23]

Very good job making me change my opinion...I applaud you:)