Nate's Tour News - Week of April 27, 2009

When the world Ends… We’ll be Tailgating

For most of us, we have at least 4 more DMB shows to look forward to this summer. And maybe attending an event with 20,000+ people in the wake of a swine flu pandemic is unwise. But as we think back to the tailgates, setlists, and dancing of past years, I think we can all agree a little of swine flu is well worth a day with the Dave Matthews Band.

Let us start the first issue with: The DMB Tailgate. We’ve been ‘serious’ about tailgating for over 5 years now. I think we can all remember when early tailgates didn’t go so well. We’d always forget a key item; a spatula, condiments, a lighter. But as the years went on, we got good…really good…

Here is a look at an early tailgate from Starlate Amphitheater, and at what makes a good tailgate.

The Preparation:
We got so good, in fact, that we hardly even need to discuss the plans. We know that around 11am we’ll meet at Wal Mart for food, drinks, and ice. We know that we’ll go to JR’s Beer Distributor, and each of us will buy a case. We know that Sean will bring a flask, with god only knows what kind of warm, hellish potion of liquor that we all taste. We know that I’ll have a rental car, with the extra insurance, so that we can spell out “DMB” on the hood in rocks, and smash an uncooked hot dog into the carpet of the trunk. And we know that, sooner rather than later, Smitty will tell at least 3 of us to wipe the sand out of our vaginas and ‘drink another beer’. We do.

The People:
One thing we always associate a DMB tailgate with, is heat. With today’s temperature in DC once again hitting 93, I’m reminded of one our first major tailgates. This particular one in Burgettstown, PA featured several people we wouldn’t see much of in the future, such as Wayne, Beth, and some fat broad. Some of our best turnouts have neared 20 people, including ‘friends’ we make. During this show on the lawn, Lover Lay Down began to play. We created what is now known as “The Circle of Love”, where we all got in a giant circle, arms around eachother, and then swayed. By LeRoi’s jam, we had a circle with a diameter of 20 feet.

The Location:
This one was special because of where we parked. We had about 5 cars for this one, all lined up along the road where the cars would pass by. So our antics were on display for all to see. It’s also ideal to be near the woods, so you can pee.

The Props/The Entertainment:
There seems to always be something unique that we bring to keep us entertained. In the attached pictures, cowboy hats were a focal point. And as you can see, one of the most famous pictures of Kevin Smith. Upon seeing this ensemble, we all laughed until we threw up. And then drank some more, as you can see from Sean holding a 105 degree bottle of Jack Daniels. Additionally, Smitty’s mom gave us some of the most embarrassing hot pink/aqua pool lounge chairs to lay out on.

This year:
The tailgate goes digital. With many of us now on Twitter, we’ll be posting updates as the day goes along. That way, when Smitty says, “Paging Nurse Reda!” to encourage him to finish his Labbatt, we know that we won’t forget any of the events that occurred while drunk.

We’ll continue to examine other aspects

I Tweet Too Much

Highlights of the week from Dave and Stefan’s Twitter.

I just read about a deadly strain of swine flu. CNN twitter -- Dave

In Nashville to play a really big show.....Last night was a lot of fun, some pretty pretty rockin' people in Charlotte... – Stefan

DMB, Where are you going?

Upcoming shows.

4/28 – Alpharetta, GA 8:00pm ET

4/29 – Alpharetta, GA 8:00pm ET

5/1 – The Woodlands, TX 8:00pm CT

5/2 – Dallas, TX 8:00 pm CT