Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Touring may be a constant in the life of Dave Matthews Band, but recording is not, which made the pause of the pandemic a perfect opportunity for the guys to reconvene in the studio to take a “Walk Around The Moon.”

The project marks the first in five years for eclectic troupe, who regularly incorporate rock, pop, funk and jazz fusion into its adventurous jams, all amply featured in the start a two-night stand (continuing Saturday, July 8) for Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island.

Of course, having more than two-and-a-half-hours on the books meant there were tons of older tunes from DMB’s total takeover of the 1990s into the 2000s, and while they weren’t necessarily the obvious or expected, the ever-changing set list seemed to connect with both die-hards and those on the periphery.

That’s because the original nucleus of front man/guitarist Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard and drummer Carter Beauford, alongside trumpet player Rashawn Ross, saxophonist Jeff Coffin, guitarist Tim Reynolds and keyboardist Buddy Strong, knew exactly how to shape a mood and where to move a groove.

For instance, the opening stretch of “Granny,” “Pantala Naga Pampa” and “Rapunzel” had the entire seating area and spacious lawn dancing in unison, while “Lie In Our Graves,” “Squirm” and “Idea Of You” gave attendees a chance to be awestruck by each players’ instrumental aptitude.

Along the way, they peppered in gigantic hits such as “Grey Street” and “So Much To Say,” which are now a few decades in the rearview mirror, yet expanded well beyond the recordings with so much improvisational allure, it made them feel brand new.

At this point in a colossal career responsible for sales of 38 million audio/visual projects and 25 million tickets, a Dave Matthews Band concert is a multi-generational affair, most readily apparent when the masses collectively bounced to the ecstatic “Ants Marching,” accompanied by guest sax man Ron Blake.

Even covers as widespread as the Commodores’ “Brick House,” the debut of Paul Simon’s “Late In The Evening” (also joined by Blake) and Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away” demonstrated DMB’s diversity, which alongside its own unpredictable repertoire, kept everyone guessing until the very last note of the “So Damn Lucky,” an apt description of how it felt to be in the midst of another unforgettable moment.

For additional information on Dave Matthews Band, visit DaveMatthewsBand.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island include Dave Matthews Band (Jul. 8); Yellowcard (Jul. 16); Sad Summer Fest (Jul. 21); Slightly Stoopid and Sublime With Rome (Jul. 28); Q101 Piqniq (Jul. 30); Ghost (Aug. 15); Goo Goo Dolls (Aug. 22); 5 Seconds Of Summer (Aug. 23); Dominic Fike (Aug. 24); Beck and Phoenix (Aug. 31); Duran Duran (Sept. 1) and Hozier (Sept. 12). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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