Dave Matthews Band Busts Out Let You Down

Last night Dave Matthews Band played the first of two shows at Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. Almost immediately after the show started the assembled fans were treated to the bust out of “Let You Down” a song not previously played since 1997.

I still can’t believe Dave played “Let You Down” last night for the first time in 18 years and it was because of me. Long story short: Some friends and I were talking with Dave’s voice coach before the show. He made a comment at the end of our conversation, something along the lines of, “when the crowd’s energy is through the roof, the band really feeds off it.” I said, “If Dave wants to see diehard fans go through the roof, you should practice ‘Let You Down’ with him. We’ll go nuts.” He leaves a minute later to go backstage. Dave comes out about 30 minutes later to start the show, intentionally messes up Whiter Shade of Pale, asks for a new guitar, and plays LET YOU DOWN! His vocal coach found us after the show to give my friend a signed setlist. I asked him if Dave & the band had been practicing that song. He replied, “No. You made the suggestion, I walked backstage & told Dave that 5 hardcore fans want to hear Let You Down. Dave’s response was ‘they want to hear THAT…HERE?!’ and Dave then picked up a guitar, went to a private room, practiced it a few times and then played it for you guys.” I thought for sure I would never hear Let You Down. The last time they had played it was 18 years ago….July 13, 1997. Nineteen Ninety SEVEN. I wasn’t even a fan yet. I can’t believe that he not only played it, but that I was the reason he broke it out. Coolest moment of my crazy DMB fandom for sure. Thank you Dave! ?????? #DMB Deer Creek N1 #127 #letyoudown

A photo posted by Brian (@dmbriguy7) on Jul 18, 2015 at 7:44am PDT

The show started in typical fashion with Matthews taking the stage to perform a mostly solo acoustic set, leading off with “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” which was quickly abandoned before completion. According to the above post on DMB fan Brian Glickman’s Instagram account, Dave’s decision to then bust out “Let You Down” for the first time since July 13, 1997 (at a Dave & Tim show, DMB last played it June 20, 1997) came about after Glickman suggested to the frontman’s vocal coach the song come out of retirement.

You can listen to the abandoned “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” > “Let You Down” bust out via a recording made by taper Chris Drews (posted by helloagain55):