dmb show 17 - irvine - 8/25/06

Date: August 25, 2006
Venue: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine, California
Seats: Orchestra 3, Row A, Seats ___
Show #: 17
Went with: Bunky

Notes: This is perhaps the best show I have ever been to. Everything was perfect. Amazing seats. Fabulous outdoor venue with gorgeous summer beach weather. The guys were amazing and clearly enjoying themselves up there. The crowd vibe was great. The setlist was great and they did a good job keeping the energy up through the whole show. I love it when they start off with Rapunzel, it’s usually a sign that the guys are in a good mood and you can expect a great vibe throughout the show. Bunky enjoyed himself thoroughly and was dancing and singing along – a first! It could have had something to do with the $12.50 Corona Lights (“I’m not trying to buy cocaine!”), but I’m pretty sure it was the vibe coming off the stage. It’s so much more enjoyable when you love the person you’re seeing the concert with and that person is totally enjoying it. Funniest line of the evening was when Bunk turned around and looked at the entire full amphitheatre behind us and asked, "Don't you just want to yell out, 'Suck it, peasants!' to all the people behind us?" Anyway, back to the music, Rashawn Ross (wow, he’s a big dude) brings an interesting sound to the mix and really brings out the best in Le Roi (like he could be any better). At the end of the Robert Randolph jam on Louisiana Bayou, Bunk turned to me and said, “That’s the best jam I’ve ever seen, including all of the bands we’ve ever seen in New Orleans.” On the way out, he said it was the best concert he’s ever been to (yay!) and I have to agree with him. Oh, and it took 10 minutes to get out of the parking lot. I’m not lying! On to the set list…

Pantala Naga Pampa * - Always a good sign...
Rapunzel * - Love the heck out of this song. One of my favorites.
Dream Girl * - Such a great vibe. You could tell Dave’s voice was back. Good to hear with my sweetie at my side.
Proudest Monkey * - Great to hear this one for the first time in a long time.
Satellite * - Definitely one of my favorites and so great to hear it after a long while. Called my voicemail for this one!
Shotgun *- Really enjoyed this new song. Dave was making jokes about his tiny guitar.
Grey Street *- When I saw the 12 string come out, I was hoping for JTR, but Grey Street never disappoints.
You Might Die Trying * - Not my favorite dancing song, but I love the words, which really spoke to me during a scary transition in my life last year. Now that I know how well that transition worked out, it means even more to me and hearing this song was like validation.
So Much To Say * - This was when I noticed Bunky knew the words and was singing along! Loved the vibe on this and the Anyone Seen the Bridge transition to Too Much, where Carter just lets loose was great.
Too Much *- Some people say they’re sick of this, but not me.
Break Free * - Another new one. It has a good feel to it and can’t wait to hear it more.
Crash Into Me – Couples skate! Crowd absolutely explodes when they hear this, I guess because it was the radio hit. Not my favorite DMB love song, but I wouldn’t kick it out of my bed for eating crackers.
Lie In Our Graves * - Love. This. Song. Boyd was on fire. Screamed my lungs out.
Can’t Stop – Loved watching Stefan lay down the funky, sexy baseline and Dave just belting this one out while holding his guitar like a security blanket, even though he wasn’t playing it. I love the parallel that he draws between love and addiction.
Hunger For The Great Light * - More intensity from Dave on this one. Not one of my favorites, but I love the intensity of emotion.
Improv Intro *+ - I got very excited when I saw Robert Randolph’s roadies come out with his slide guitar. I was waiting for this moment when I first heard that they would be opening. The improv was great. I love watching the guys enjoy themselves while they play. The Kanye West “Golddigger” bit was pretty funny, even if Dave copped out with the radio edit.
Louisiana Bayou *+ - I was totally hoping they would play this and it did not disappoint. Robert Randolph has so much energy and takes this already great song to a whole new level. Even Bunky was dancing and screaming. I thought I was going to faint at the end. Probably the best musical performance of any kind that I have ever seen.
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Sister [Dave Solo] – Another new song. So heart-rending to hear him sing about his sister like that.
Everyday *- The crowd loves a sing-along and did a pretty good job. I love the vibe on this song.
Ants Marching * - Always a great closer, I loved the energy on this. A favorite for Mom, so I wish she could’ve been there for this one. Hope they play it at Hollywood Bowl for her.

Guests:
* Rashawn Ross on Trumpet
+ Robert Randolph