Dave Matthews Band Dusts Off Rarities At Tour Opener In Austin

Dave Matthews Band tour started last night at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The septet fit three bust outs into Wednesday’s setlist, including their first “Break For It” since 2010.

Last night’s concert was bookended by classics as DMB opened with “Warehouse” and concluded the 21-song show with “Ants Marching.” The “Warehouse” opener was followed by “Don’t Drink The Water,” one of four tunes from Before These Crowded Streets played in Austin. “Pantala Naga Pampa,” “Rapunzel” and “Crush” were the other songs off the 1998 LP to make the setlist last night.

Dave Matthews Band debuted “Madman’s Eyes” towards the end of their 2021 tour. The group played the new original early on in Austin ahead of a “Grace Is Gone” and “Grey Street” pairing. Dave Matthews then welcomed the crowd to the show and led his group through “Break For It.” While Dave played the unreleased song solo “Live From Home” for a SiriusXM special in 2021, the last full band version came way back on September 5, 2010.

Another surprise followed as DMB liberated Away From The World gem “Shotgun” for the first time since May 11, 2016. “Break Free” was revived a few songs later after nearly four years on the shelf. Last night’s main set rolled on with more staples such as “What Would You Say,” “Crush” and “The Space Between” along with a “The Only Thing” featuring different lyrics than what was sung when the song was debuted last August.

Dave addressed the crowd after emerging for the encore. Matthews told a story of playing “Sister” for his twin daughters in the car when they little kids and he looked back at them and they were holding hands. He went on to note that as his daughters grow up he “hopes they have control over their bodies” and get to make decisions themselves in what was seemingly a reference to the fight for abortion rights. Dave was joined by guitarist Tim Reynolds, drummer Carter Beauford and trumpeter Rashawn Ross for “Sister” before the rest of the band emerged for the “Ants Marching” finale.

Watch fan-shot video footage of last night’s bust outs below:

Setlist (via DMB Almanac)

Set: Warehouse, Don’t Drink the Water, You & Me, Madman’s Eyes, Grace Is Gone, Grey Street, Break for It, Shotgun, Pantala Naga Pampa » Rapunzel, Satellite, Funny the Way It Is, Break Free, What Would You Say, Crush, Where Are You Going, The Only Thing, The Space Between, Dancing Nancies, Kill the Preacher [tease], Why I Am

Encore: Sister, Ants Marching