This weekend I am seeing the Dave Matthews Band for the first time in 2 years. That may not seem like a long time but for me, it feels like an eternity.
I started seeing the Dave Matthews Band in concert in the summer of 2010. My first concert was in West Palm Beach, Florida and I’ll admit, before the show, I wasn’t the biggest DMB fan. My boyfriend, now husband, was obsessed and I liked them well enough so I thought it’d be fun.
Little did I know that that night would change my life forever.
Since then I have been to 28 shows over the course of 8 years. If you’re a DMB fan/concert goer that’s not even that many times. It became a summer tradition. We go to Tampa and West Palm Beach in Florida and then find someplace else to travel and go see them. We’ve seen them all over the country and it’s a great excuse to travel. We’ve seen them in Atlantic City, Alabama, Wisconsin, Charlottesville, and even Texas! The dream has always been to see them in Washington State at the Gorge Amphitheater.
But 2017 was the first year the band didn’t tour at all in over 25 years! So this year we may have gone a little overboard with our tickets. Being that it’s the summer of van life – we can literally follow them around the country if we wanted to (or could afford to).
Related: The Vanlife Adventure Begins!
It’s not just about seeing them in concert – it’s about the gathering of friends. There’s tailgating and meetups, seeing old friends, and making new ones.
This weekend in Indianapolis was kind of spur of the moment though. We were in New York and our Colorado-ian concert-addicted friend, Will, said he was going to this show so we decided we were going too!
When we get home in a few weeks, we’ll see them again in Tampa and West Palm Beach. Then, in August, we’ll see them in Colorado and Washington State – finally living the dream. And making that a total of 10 shows this summer.
For me, seeing the Dave Matthews Band is more than tradition, more than seeing my favorite band. It’s summertime in the rain, it’s cooking out before and after the show. It’s meeting new friends because their grill got ran over and they asked to use ours. It’s learning new tailgating games, it’s food and drinks and long summer days.
Related: Summer Tailgate Essentials
It’s being with family.
You just never know how long something so amazing can last and this summer we have the ability to take full advantage of our freedom on the road. And who knows what kind of surprises the next year may hold. That’s why we’re doing this now, van lifing it and seeing the Dave Matthews Band as much as we can.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for a concert? Or an excuse to travel? Let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to follow us on Feelintookish for the van life journey!
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Christina is a twenty-something living with her beagle, Mash, and husband, Nate in their van. She loves traveling, shopping, art, and photography. She’s also a vegetarian, pop-culture enthusiast, book-lover, and Dave Matthews Band fanatic. Catch her somewhere around the country in a converted camper van or at home in Florida for a visit.
Marya says
So I really was clueless when I first read the title because I wasn’t so sure what DMB was… And then you mentioned about Dave Matthews Band and I’m like, okay great, we’re from the same generation! 😛
But 28 shows in 8 years are amazing, girl… I’m not too sure whether I’ve been to that many show in the past 8 years since the last and the only concert that I attended was like 5 years ago to go to Sum 41 in Jakarta. Not quite a festival goer, but I love Sum 41 so yeah! 😀
Christina says
Hey a concert is a concert! I just love live music and every show is different. It’s also the whole experience of tailgating and meeting new people as well as the atmosphere. Everyone is there for the same reason because they love this band. I’ll never stop going as long as I have the means lol.
Corey says
OMG 28 shows I would say you are a super fan. Looks fun enjoy them!
Kay says
twenty eight shows in 8 years is amazing!!
Kay says
Twenty eight concerts inn 8 years is amazing!!
Kay says
twenty eight concerts in 8 years is awesome!!
Adriana Lopez says
My husband is super fan of the Dave Matthews Band he would have have a blast same as you guys. Very cool that all was done outdoors a very nice experience I bet.
Christina says
That is awesome!! Yes, it’s so much fun!
Maysz says
Nice hangout! I love watching concerts! Good thing that you have an wonderful vacation!
Alyssa Dawson says
Looks like so many fun memories! And such beautiful places. So glad you have a tradition like this!
WeareID says
Nice and beautyfull place guys