Expert: Kristen - 11/20/2004

Question
Hello and thank you for taking my question.  I am a big fan and love their live cd's.  I was wondering how they come up with their setlists. I want to know how they choose them, why they play some bad songs like I did it and forget great songs like dreaming tree.  also, have they noticed that with all of their live cd, the same songs are played over and over (warehouse and too much) and many are neglected, like back you up and newer, longer versions of seek up, etc.

Answer
To my knowledge and from what I've heard in the past, DMB chooses their setlists not long before they go out on stage.  They think about what songs they feel like playing and then they do.  There tends to be a theme during their tours.  For example, one summer a lot of the setlists will include songs from the Everyday album, one summer may contain more classic songs, and one summer may include older songs from before Under The Table And Dreaming.  As for the songs that are on live CD's, I don't know how they pick which concert they want to put to CD or DVD.  Sometimes it's benefit concerts, other times it may be just because the band all felt they really had a great night with that particular show.  Whichever concert they choose, then that whole concert is put on the CD and all of the songs they sang that night.  "Back You Up" and "Dreaming Tree" are songs that are rarely played live at a concert, so therefore they usually never make it to CD either.  But there are live CD's out there with rarely played songs on them including "Proudest Monkey", "Seek Up", and "Recently" (all on Live At Red Rocks). "JTR" is on the Folsom Field album.  Live At Luther College with Tim Reynolds has rare songs like "Seek Up", "Stream", "Christmas Song", "Granny", "Halloween", "Little Thing", "Cry Freedom", "Minarets", "Lover Lay Down", and "Deed Is Done".  Live In Chicago has "The Last Stop", "The Maker", and "Christmas Song".  Listener Supported has "Proudest Monkey", "Long Black Veil", and "True Reflections".  Live At The Gorge has "Song That Jane Likes", "Kit Kat Jam", and "Proudest Monkey".  Central Park has "Cortez, The Killer" and "Help Myself".  DMB is doing a live series release over the next few months.  Every month or so, a new live album will be released.  Live At Worcester, MA has already been released.  That album includes the songs "Seek Up", "Linus And Lucy", and "I'll Back You Up".  Live At Golden Gate Park will be coming soon and that includes the new songs "Joy Ride" and "Hello Again".  It also includes "Loving Wings" and "Sugar Will".  So check out www.davematthewsband.com or, if you are a member of the Warehouse fan club, www.warehouse.dmband.com and look for the albums coming from that live series, as there are rare songs on them.  These shows were chosen from feedback and input from fans.  So look for those CD's and enjoy!  Thanks for your question!