"Vote For Change Tour" Review (Dave Matthews Band Show - Dayton 10-2-04)

[VolcanoJen]

An amazing night, with political energy and great music to boot.

Arrived at the venue a little bit late (6:00 pm show time, arrived around 7:00). The venue was well-organized, with buses to bring the overflow parking lot crowd into the show. Kudos to the Nutter Center!

Right before turning into the venue parking lot, a number of pro-Bush/Cheney supporters were evident. One noticeable protester carried a "DMB Fan - Voting Bush/Cheney '04" sign. (all photos courtesy Dayton Daily News)



Inside the venue, the atmosphere was more musically-charged than political. Nobody really sported pro-Kerry clothing, although Kerry/Edwards stickers adorned many outfits. There were a few noticeable patrons wearing Bush/Cheney '04 gear, which was to be expected at a non-partisan voter registration event. They were treated well by all.

When I arrived at the show, Jurassic 5 was finishing their set (I'd already missed the opener, the Neil Young-esque "My Morning Jacket"), so I have little to report about their set. About fifteen minutes later, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals took the stage, with a far-too-short set consisting of uplifting, beautiful music. At the end of the set, Ben Harper unbuttoned his shirt to reveal a "VOTE FOR CHANGE" shirt underneath, to the enthusiasm of the crowd.

Around 8:30 pm, Dave Matthews Band, the headliners, took the stage before a packed, energized fired-up house. Their set was long, full and rockin', with little of the political, save for Dave's "I'm sure you all know who I'm voting for" comment mid-set. An equal amount of the crowd booed and cheered his statement, which I found telling. "Now, we'll play, that's what we came for," he added, to unanimous applause.



All in all, I think the Dave Matthews Band leg of the "Vote For Change" tour is the least partisan, judging from the reviews of the other shows. It was primarily about the music at the Dave Matthews Band show, and they excelled at entertainment and awareness with their understated message.

Feel free to ask me any questions... didn't want to bore the non-DMB-fans with a lengthy review, political or otherwise. :-)

Read more about the Vote For Change Tour in Dayton, Ohio here:
Democracy Rocks! Area Concert Part of Political Push - Dayton Daily News

[The Wielding Truth]

1. Love DMB. Were the Kerry Supporters out numbered?

[VolcanoJen]

2. No, Kerry Supporters were the Definite Majority.

I would say 70% Kerry, 20% Bush, 10% non-committal openly.

Kerry/Edwards supporters littered the parking lot with Kerry stickers, and the vast majority of concert-goers wore them.

Still, it's important to press that this was not a Kerry rally, and according to the reviews of the other Vote For Change events, the DMB Leg seems to be the most non-partisan of the bunch.

Which is a good thing, I think. Many open minds that night, enjoying the music. Incredible vibe. One of my favorite DMB shows by far, unforgettable.

[Kukesa]

3. Was there a voter registration effort?

If so, was it ACT, MoveOn, or a local group?

[VolcanoJen]

4. ACT and MoveOn actively registered voters.

They also walked through the venue with big signs reading "ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?"

[Kukesa]

5. This makes me happy! n/t

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

6. I got there real early, nearly before the doors opened...my take..

I didnt want to walk or ride a shuttlebus, so I came WAY early....

This early crowd waiting to get in was more obviously partisan Democrat, with people handing out those round "Kerry/Edwards" stickers, and more folks with Kerry or other political stuff on too....also voter registration was going on in the crowd.

I also saw the Billionaires for Bush agit-prop group was there leafleting the crowd.

The pro-Bush counterprotestors werent there yet when I got there.

I did notice the place filled up more and more as the night wore on.

I must confess that I came more for J-5 and especially Ben Harper, not being a big Dave Matthews band. I think with J-5 and Ben Harper, the message was more in the music. But i was impressed with Dave Matthews as a live act.

I would say, yes, not a particularly political vibe as the night wore on. I think you got that more from J-5 with the 'fuck the president" line in one of their raps (which got a roar of applause), and Ben Harpers song choice (and yes, I could have heard alot more of him as he and his band are really good live performers...a good jam band, actually.

I, too, saw a guy with a Bush/Cheney T-shirt, but he wasnt really hassled...people where pretty cool

I also have to say I was really impressed on how pumped the crowd was....this was a VERY enthusiastic audience, and the Nutter Center was just PACKED!

[henslee]

7. Bet the */Cheney t-shirters were bummed that they didn't get hassled.