Watch Warren Haynes’ Glorious Sit-In With Dave Matthews Band In New Jersey

Dave Matthews loves old friends and he invited one of them, Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes, to guest with Dave Matthews Band for three songs to end their main set last night in Holmdel, New Jersey. Haynes’ first DMB appearance since September 1, 2019 saw the guitarist join the septet at PNC Bank Arts Center for a new tune, a beloved classic and a staple cover.

Haynes and Matthews’ musical relationship dates back to the famed Ritz Power Jam held at the now-shuttered New York City venue on February 5, 1993. Warren then made his first appearance with Dave Matthews Band at another legendary NYC space that has since closed its doors, Wetlands Preserve, on August 19, 1993.

The NYC-area resident and Asheville, North Carolina native shared the stage with DMB over 50 times in the past 20 years. Last night marked Warren’s first appearance with Dave Matthews Band since September 1, 2019 at The Gorge in Washington state.

Warren Haynes emerged to conclude DMB’s 18-song main set near the Jersey Shore. The seven-piece opened with the recently revived “American Baby Intro,” which was played last Friday at SPAC after 869 shows and 4,317 days on the shelf. Dave Matthews Band followed by performing a career-spanning mix of material including three songs from their latest album, Walk Around The Moon, many fan-favorites and covers of Led Zeppelin’s “Fool In The Rain” and the Commodores’ “Brick House.”

After the tour’s 19th version of staple “Grey Street,” Dave Matthews introduced Warren Haynes. Drummer Carter Beauford showed respect by banging his drumsticks together as Haynes tested his gear. Dave Matthews Band and Warren Haynes then lit into Walk Around The Moon standout “Monsters.” The longtime The Allman Brothers Band and Phil Lesh & Friends member inserted an authoritative guitar solo within the new song.

Next up was oldie “Tripping Billies,” a song that dates back to Dave Matthews Band’s earliest days and was recorded for the 1996 studio album Crash. Haynes previously sat-in on the tune at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 30, 2018 and at Jazz Fest in New Orleans on May 4, 2019.

Warren made the most of his “Tripping Billies” solo as he let the fretboard fireworks fly. The guitarist shredded in leading the band to multiple crowd-pleasing peaks.

Haynes stuck around for a set-closing cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower.” Haynes was tasked with providing a slide intro to the song that has been a regular feature for DMB since 1991. Tuesday was the 22nd time Warren Haynes joined Dave Matthews Band for “All Along The Watchtower.”

The guitarist delivered an effusive solo within last night’s “Watchtower.” Haynes then stepped to the mic to sing the final verses and choruses to the delight of the audience.

Dave Matthews returned for the encore accompanied by bandmates Beauford, trumpeter Rashawn Ross and guitarist Tim Reynolds. The truncated DMB lineup performed the unreleased “Sister” before the rest of the group came back to help wrap the show with “Crush.” Tonight, Dave Matthews Band continues their summer tour in Wantagh, New York.

Setlist (via DMB Almanac)

Set: American Baby Intro, So Right, Spaceman, All You Wanted Was Tomorrow, Dancing Nancies » Warehouse, It Could Happen, Gravedigger, Fool in the Rain, Looking for a Vein, Grace Is Gone, What Would You Say, Too Much [fake] » Brick House, Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back), Grey Street, Monsters*, Tripping Billies*, All Along the Watchtower*

Encore: Sister, Crush

* – w/ Warren Haynes