How 2 Survive Your DMB Show

Lets get one thing straight. As indie as this blog tends to be, it's roots are Dave Matthews Band. At least 5 shows are on the schedule for me this summer. Hartford is the tour opener, which I have never attended before...so I'm really pumped for that. Fuck you if you think they are lame. You don't know what good music is if you think Dave Matthews Band is a talentless band. You suck, sorry...just stop reading. Now that I got that out of my system, lets go over some basic pointers to have the best DMB experience possible. These tips can be used at almost any venue but, I will naturally be focusing on The Meadows... yes I still call it that, in Hartford.

If you have been to Hartford before, you know that the tailgating scene is second to none. We know how to pre-game better then anyone in the country. I advise getting there early to enjoy the entire day. The Meadows parking lots won't open until at least 3, and probably not until 4-4:30. If you show up early, you might be able to hang at Burger King for a while. Also, I placed a call to the popular Goodyear parking lot, they will NOT be parking cars this year...as well as some, but not all private lots. I guess the cops asked business to not allow private parking because of so many people showing up just to tailgate, with no tickets. Some lots have cooperated, some have not. So, parking will be a tad different this year. No word on what the Mercedes lot will be doing. If this is your first time, the show Friday starts an hour later the usual. The reason for this is the interchange of 84/91...its gridlock on a Friday afternoon...mix that with DMB traffic, and Memorial Day weekend traffic...things will be getting hectic fast.

If you are coming with a group of cars, it's going to be hard to park together unless you pull in at the same time to a private lot and pay to park. It just gets too congested when you are parking at Expo or the dirt lots at The Meadows. Everything will be found on Weston St. that turns into Reverend Moody's as you cross the bridge. From Carmax to to Market Street, there will be parking and partying on both sides of the road.So once you get all settled, it's time to get down to the party. All the action will be going down in The Expo lot and the dirt lots. That's where you will find all the people. Other popular spots include Hotel lots on the main drag, free parking over the bridge, strip club (not kidding). If you parked private, you can pretty much do as you please. The cops don't have a right to go in there unless something bad happens. If you park for free, you need to be a little more careful. They usually allow tables. If you are a group of teenagers bring 100 solo cups for booze/beer (never be caught with a can), but also a few jugs of juice that you can put on said table when the cops show up. The cops do not like the tables being used for beer pong, but it's not hard to get around that. As long as you act respectful when they are around you, they will leave you alone. They will have plenty of drunk frat boys to arrest, just be cool when they are around and you will be fine.

As far as grilling, I think you can...I'm not sure on the whole open flame policy, but I know I've seen people grilling. As far as smoking goes, I recommend packing bowls in the parking lot..and smoking them in the car. Blunts are not a great idea for the parking lot because they last like...20 minutes and cops will probably stop by within that time period. So just smoke up fast and bring in a bunch of joints to the show. So...now you are good and buzzed up, the show starts at 8. I recommend checking out the opener Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings but if you must keep partying, DMB will take stage at roughly 9:20 on Friday night and 8:20 on Saturday.

Do not underestimate traffic getting into the venue, it's like a bunch of fucking sheep...but with Whalers/Redsox/Yankee chants. Stay close, have a buddy system and then meet up with everyone once you get into the venue. Cell service will be limited. If you have lawn, I recommend taking the stairs up to the backside of the lawn, it's much easier to walk down and find a spot then climb up the mountain that is The Meadows lawn. Now, when it comes to drinking and smoking in the Lawn/Pav...lots of different rules. It's easier to smoke in the lawn, but easier to drink in the pav. Always have someone on the lookout. The Meadows workers will be walking around the lawn and will be looking for drinkers without wristbands...there is gonna be so much weed going around that it will be almost impossible for you to be singled out, unless you go walking up to a security gaurd with a fatty. If you are inside, the lights are dark, and you are in rows...they wont be looking for your wrists, just the cloud of smoke that is coming from your seat. Be courteous to those around you, ask them and make sure it's okay for you to smoke near them...and take BIG hits, also share it! If you are in the lawn, I don't recommend going to the bathroom, it's like a 20 minutes journey. You could always chance it at the fence, but get caught there and you will be thrown out.

So the show went great, and none of your friends died (hopefully)...now it's time to get back to your car. If you parked in the free parking, it's going to be a long wait...may I suggest going back to your car and opening up the grill for a little late night snack before getting out of the lots? There is no need to rush, it will be gridlock for a least an hour after the show...but I hope this post helped you get ready and get excited for the summer tour ahead. Since the boys will be taking 2011 off, I hope they treat this year as something special. See yall next week in Hartford and then the following week up at SPAC. Here are three of my favorite moments from last years tour.