I do a lot of things on my own. I have no qualms about going out to eat alone. I’ve popped into movies alone. I’ve moved states, alone. I’ve paddled out alone. I’ve been a lone cyclist from Napa home to SF. I’ve never attended a concert alone, until Friday night. I have always wondered if my love for Dave Matthews concerts was due to the incredible company that I’ve shared at those shows with great people. I’ve lost track of the Gorge trips with Randell, the Cali shows with the Randell/Cari/Leisa trio, and the CTY conglomerates each summer at Shoreline. The Bahamas, Randalls island… my favorite friends, with me for my favorite band. Dave concert #24 on Friday was great. I had to work in The Woodlands, Texas for the whole week, which happened to be where the boys landed.
The boys jammed out Ee Hee, Bartender, Bayou, and my favorite, Dancing Nancies. They played Fool to Think, which always makes me think of Randell. We use the line I’d dance a thousand steps for you to express love on a regular basis. The crowd knew what to do when they started Everyday with the Honey, Honey (or, you avid fans know it’s actually Hani Hani) intro. Towards the end of the night they slipped into some of the old tunes. Just as I was reflecting on all the shows and all the times I’ve heard, they took me back with Ants Marching. The Dave-coma was deep and engulfing and immensely satisfying. I need to figure out a way to box it up and sell it.
It turns out that I wasn’t alone at the show. Renee, who sold me her reserved seats, turned out to be a fabulous Dave partner in crime. We met at Baker Street Pub, which was the watering hole for all the local fans. My intention was to make the exchange, grab a pint and some food and wait to pass off a ticket to John. Renee bumped into a bunch of familiar fans, and over the course of 2 hours we had an entourage 12 deep. John picked up his ticket and ended up pulling a chair over. {sidenote: The Woodlands is a smaller than you realize. While in Baker’s, I saw the coordinator at the resort that we always work with. We chatted, I met her husband, blah blah blah. Then, in walked the guy who was at the Coach store buying his large signature C tote for his “lady friend”. He of course was with said lady friend, which made him uncomfortable because at Coach he had indicated he was interested in me as his lady friend. I was only interested in the leather goods]. While at Bakers, I met super-Dave fans. I met people who had websites (which I’m a member of), tattoos of the firedancer, and stories of meeting Dave. Compared to these super-fans, I’m an amateur. You can imagine how elated it made me feel to feed off the DMB-love energy.
Two more shows with the boys before the 07 tour is over.
Glad to see you made it home safe. Nice to meet you....hope you enjoyed your trip! Show was awesome! I'll drop you a line if I end up on the trip to SF!
Posted by: Rae | September 23, 2007 at 05:55 PM