Every year Dave Matthews puts on a three day show at the world famous Gorge Amphitheater. Tickets are hard to come by and the Gorge is hard to get to, so we have not been to a show. Until now.

We went for the closing show on Sunday night. I knew the Dave Matthews Band had a loyal following, but had no idea the scope of it. It started in the parking lot, DMB swag everywhere, people handing out home made stickers and bracelets repping the band, everyone talking about their favorite show or locale. “I saw him in Mexico” “I loved him at Red Rocks” “I see Dave & Tim every year”

We scored tickets on the Sunset Deck which was a great way to see the show. Our tablemates were from Ohio and were here to check a Gorge show off their bucket list. This was their tenth DMB show. One of their friends was in the lawn seats and it was his one HUNDREDTH show! I cannot imagine seeing this band a hundred times. The Sunset Deck was a great idea. You can scan a QR and order food, drinks, even concert or venue merch and never have to leave your seat.

Sierra Hull was the first opener. She played a bluegrass style and was very good. She was followed by Jesse Welles. I knew him first from the instagram reels with him playing short political tunes. I also knew he had won a Spirit Award and was nominated for some Grammys as a folk artist so I had an idea of what his music was like. I was wrong. He played a couple solo acoustic protest/novelty songs then his band came out and they really rocked. Still political but with a hefty kick. They pulled off a topnotch cover of War Pigs (RIP Ozzy).

Dave capped the night. They band was in fine form. Both Hulls and Welles came out to play a few songs with them. I was a bit disappointed that they didn’t have any other guest stars as I had heard Mike McCready of Pearl Jam was there the previous night. Granted, we were there on the third night of a three night stand and many of the Gorge attendees stay for all three, but I was surprised that he only played a couple of his big songs. (Others had been played previous nights.) Then again, many of those songs may be “big” to his fans and I as a casual listener just didn’t recognize them.

At the shows end, we drove all the way back to Ellensburg for the night. The next morning, we had breakfast at the Country Cafe. My biscuits and gravy was delicious and a giant portion. The little town was surprisingly busy as it was also the weekend for their annual rodeo. Then we had a long, slow drive back home with the rest of the holiday traffic.