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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 10, 2000)
Matthews’ Gorge concert floats sounds across canyon ■ Majestic backdrops and a smattering of contemporary classics makes the Dave Matthews Band’s visit to the Gorge a worth while treat for die-hard fans of all ilks By Kristy Hessman Oregon Daily Emerald After four months, a six-and-a half hour drive in 100-degree weather with almost nonexistent air conditioning and a misplaced hotel reservation, I finally got my birthday present — a Dave Matthews concert at the Gorge. The setting, to say the least, was perfect. The orange sun dip ping down between the cragged mountains cast a gorgeous sunset glow across the sky, creating an intoxicating backdrop to listen to the addicting sounds of Dave. I had attended one Dave con cert prior to this, but for the first time I realized how loyal many of his fans actually are. A guy from Walla Walla, Wash., who parked next to us with “I (heart) DMB” painted on his back window, in formed us that he had tickets for the whole weekend and that the band had only played two of the same songs each night “I didn’t stay here last night, but drove back up for the last show,” he explained. Fans were also willing to pay big money for tickets. Apparent ly Dave has been auctioning off front row seats through the Inter net search engine Yahoo, with the proceeds going to charity. The girl who won the auction for Sunday’s show paid $1,010 for her two front-row tickets. According to a recent Rolling Stone article, “By the summer’s I end Matthews is expected to sell 170,000 tickets, including two straight sellouts of Soldier Field [in Chicago], which is a feat ac complished only by the Stones, U2, Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead.” At the Gorge, the Friday and Saturday shows sold out so fast that they had to add a Sunday show, which was the night I at tended; I hoped it would be the best be cause it was his last show until Aug. 19th. The band is headed home for a short break and will start the tour again on that date in Troy. Wise. The crowd at the Gorge ranged from Abercrombie-clad college students to armpit-haired, Satur day Market, Eugene types, along with a middle-aged yuppie cou ple in our area who broke out the weed halfway through the show as if their lives depended on it. The concert opened with the Mavericks, who combine Latin rhythms and horns with a Vegas style country feel. I would have to say that the most entertaining part of the opening act was the sight of a shirtless college-aged guy who danced in front of his chair in one of the front rows through the band’s entire set, * a » * * a Reporter’s NOTEBOOK shaking his head and inviting others to stand and join him. I found out later he was from Montana, and pretty drunk at the time. As the sun dropped behind the mountains, the stage was pre pared for Dave. The crowd roared as the band came onto the stage, Dave in a black shirt and loose tan slacks, providing a per fect look for his fast-footed danc ing. Boyd Tinsley, the band’s vio linist, came out donning a cross between- camouflage and zebra print pants, which added to his already, high intensity playing. Band members include Carter Beauford on drums, Stefan Lessard on bass and Leroi Moore on the saxophone and clarinet. Butch Taylor, who is not a member of the band but has been with them for most of the tour, played keyboard. Dave also invit ed Mitch Rutman to play electric guitar during one song. He’s a member of the band’s catering staff who has been with them for a while and is retiring. The band started out with “Seek Up,” a mellow song, and continued to jam with it for quite a while. It wasn’t the way you would think they would open the concert but then they made the crowd go wild with upbeat songs like “Dancing Nancies.” Dave and Boyd went crazy danc ing around the stage in the unique way that only they can. The band played “I’ll Back You Up,” one of my personal fa vorites, and also treated the 009741 !, 2, 8 & 4 Bedroom Furnished Units No Application or Credit Check Fees leased by the Bedroom (hmpetitive Rates with 3 Payment Plans l arge Swimming Pool and Year-Round Spa Siale-of-the-Art Fitness Center Recreation Room Volleyball and Basketball Courts Bat becue Grills 3225 Kinsnnv Avenue, Eugene, OR • 485-7200 • unmv.ducksvillage.com Office Hours Monday - Friday 8-5 Saturday 9-1 X UNIQUE HOUSING ALTERNATIVE FOR University Students and Young Professionals We combine the convenience of University living with the kind of independence you can only find in an off campus setting. Computer Lab with FRFE Internet Access Minutes by Bike Across the Autzen Footbridge Bus Stop at Kinsrow and Centennial Stop by today and see why more U of O students call us home! Ducks Village courtesy of RCA Tickets to the popular Dave Matthews Band’s shows sell out in a matter of hours. crowd to three new songs that have only been played on this Summer 2000 tour. One is called “Grace is Gone,” which was in credible; another is called “Bar tender,” and the third is “JTR.” Overall, they had a nice mix of old and new songs. Partway through the concert, Dave randomly told the audience that Hawaiians consume more Spam than any other state. Ac cording to a friend who accom panied me to the concert, when Dave talks to the audience like that it is known as Davespeak. 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