Jason Crosby Joins Dave Matthews Band On Fiddle In Holmdel

Dave Matthews Band brought out multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby last night for an extended guest appearance during their annual visit to Holmdel, New Jersey’s PNC Bank Arts Center. Crosby threw back to the Boyd Tinsley days by adding fiddle to a pair of classics late in the main set.

Jason Crosby is a longtime friend of DMB from his days as a member of Robert Randolph & The Family Band but had never shared the stage with the septet until Tuesday night. The veteran Bay Area musician, who frequently performed with Phil Lesh in the Grateful Dead bassist’s later years, continued a streak of Dave welcoming special guests in Holmdel that included Warren Haynes in 2023 and Robert Randolph in 2024.

Jason Crosby emerged with fiddle in hand for the “Pig” that filled the 13-slot at the Jersey Shore shed. Crosby shined on the track from Dave Matthews Band’s 1998 album Before These Crowded Streets.

DMB then lit into an unusually-placed “Ants Marching” to the crowd’s delight. The Under The Table And Dreaming favorite was a showcase for Tinsley’s violin throughout his time in the band. Fans roared as Crosby delivered a fiery solo on “Ants Marching,” beginning with one of Boyd’s signature licks and then unfurling furious riffage of his own.

Watch audience-captured footage of Jason Crosby adding to “Ants Marching” in Holmdel below:

Dave Matthews Band kept the audience on its toes from the start. “What You Are” opened for the first and only other time since May 31, 2013. The setlist also featured tour debuts of “Corn Bread,” “Grace Is Gone,” “Too Much,” “Raven,” “Drunken Soldier” and David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.”

Frontman Dave Matthews went solo for the recently premiered “Peace On Earth” to kick off the encore. The rest of the band then returned to wrap the concert with the beloved “Grey Street.”

Setlist (via DMBAlmanac.com)

Set: What You Are, Corn Bread, Grace Is Gone, Too Much, Word Up!, Walk Around the Moon, Raven, Don’t Drink the Water, Let’s Dance, Crush, Dive In, Drunken Soldier, Pig*, Ants Marching*, Typical Situation, Warehouse, Tripping Billies

Encore: Peace on Earth, Grey Street

* – with Jason Crosby on fiddle