Dave Matthews Honors Family Dog With Magnetic Fields Cover In Connecticut

Dave Matthews often goes solo at the start of encores of Dave Matthews Band concerts, like he did last night at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Dave debuted a cover of The Magnetic Fields’ song “The Book Of Love” at the onset of Tuesday’s encore.

Written by The Magnetic Fields’ Stephin Merritt, “The Book Of Love” was one of 69 songs featured on the group’s expansive 1999 concept album, 69 Love Songs. “The Book Of Love” has been covered by numerous other artists, including a notable version by Peter Gabriel.

Standing alone onstage, Matthews prefaced the cover debut by speaking to the assembled audience. The guitarist spoke about his disdain for war and hate, which he called “the food for cowards,” and expressed his desire for peace. He tied in mention of the recent death of his family’s dog, lamenting the “big hole” the “good dog” left.

“While we were all mourning, I heard this song,” Matthews revealed. “And it’s the strangest song. It just made me feel better and so I hope you don’t mind I’m just going to share it. It’s by The Magnetic Fields – he’s a handsome devil, I think he’s from the New York area. So if I get it all wrong it’s only because I just heard it – I can’t believe I only just heard it.”

Watch Dave Matthews pay tribute to his family’s dog by covering “The Book Of Love” by The Magnetic Fields below:

Setlist (via DMBAlmanac.com)

Set: Tripping Billies, Satellite, Madman’s Eyes, What Would You Say, #27, #41, Kill the Preacher, Why I Am, Spaceman, One Sweet World, Let’s Dance, Looking for a Vein, Crash Into Me, Black and Blue Bird, Jimi Thing » Brick House, You & Me, Everyday » Ants Marching

Encore: The Book of Love [1], Grey Street

Notes:

• [1] debut, The Magnetic Fields. Dave solo.