Dave Matthews Band recently kicked off their 2014 summer tour. And while it's an annual occurrence, the group chose to switch things up this year and split their shows into two sets: one acoustic and one electric. It appears dividing each concert has allowed the band many freedoms and resulted in a number of surprises along the way. For example, the group has been able to churn out successful renditions of both Rodriguez's "Sugar Man" and "Slip Slidin' Away" by Paul Simon.
Breaking down the sets has also allowed the band to remember the early days, delivering a truly creative and bohemian vibe that apparently comes across rather organically through the acoustic sets. Bassist Stefan Lessard tells Rolling Stone, "It's been really creative and fun for us."
How the band crafts these sets proves to be more organized than one would assume. It begins with Matthews, just hours before the group take to the stage, combing through the set lists of the past and configuring a new one that (hopefully) doesn't relate too much to ones they've recently done. "He checks with what was played at each venue over the past five years, and also what's been played the past couple of nights and how far we are from these areas," Lessard says. "He's keeping tabs on all of the different elements."
Matthews then turns to Lessard and drummer Carter Beauford for further advice, making sure "the rhythm section feel comfortable with things." He continues, "And sometimes I might see something or Carter will see something the Dave isn't seeing - like, 'Hey, these three songs kind of have the same funk beat' and then maybe we'll switch it up."
It was reported last year that the band had begun work on a new album; however, Lessard admits that the new sets have taken lead over any studio time. "We're sort of on a pause right now as far as any studio work and the newer material. There's some things that we've worked on that we'll talk about every once in a while and kind of get excited for. But right now we're all in these shows, so the acoustic shows have sort of taken over any thoughts for the studio. And also I think that the acoustic thing is maybe opening up ideas for the next record as well."
Check out some footage from an acoustic set below:
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