It’s mid-July around 7 p.m. and the sun is beginning to set. I’m standing barefoot on the grassy, muddy lawn beside my friends. The condensation from my cup of beer is dripping down my hand as I go for another sip. I’m waiting anxiously for the stage and house lights to dim because when they do, the crowd will roar and Dave Matthews Band (DMB) will be walking on stage.
This moment––this moment is everything. This is why I spend the money and drive hundreds of miles to see Dave Matthews’ concerts. I am in my happy place.
Every summer I look forward to one thing more than anything: The Dave Matthews Band summer tour. My past three summers have begun during Memorial Day weekend up in Saratoga, N.Y. at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This summer will begin the same way, except it will end a bit differently. During Labor Day weekend, I will be on the other side of the country in Quincy, Wash. at The Gorge Amphitheater. Yes, I am traveling all the way to Washington state to see a band. You think I’m crazy now, don’t you?
Attending The Gorge Amphitheater has always been a goal of mine and many other fans, DMB or not. The venue overlooks the Columbia River and is known for its stunning views of the Columbia Gorge canyon. It’s an amazing way to end the summer camping for three days with the closest of friends.
“The Gorge is like the holy land for DMB fans,” said Chelsey Keenan, a junior advertising and public relations major. “I’m planning on going next summer when I have graduated.”
“I haven’t been to The Gorge but I will one day, that’s for sure [DMB or not],” said Josiah Cafiero, a junior sports management major. “I enjoy concerts in general and I like seeing different venues so that is a must even if DMB is long gone.”
Generation Y has been stereotyped as having a certain taste in music. Generations previous to us say all we do is listen to Top 40 music, which includes but is not limited to hip-hop, electronic music, pop, dubstep and rock. I’ve heard family members tell me that for our generation, music is just something we listen to and for previous generations, the music they listen to defines who they are. They identify with their rock gods, fellow “groupie” fans and the ideas the band or their music represent. With that being said, I believe there is a large percentage of Gen Y that identifies more with Gen X.
“I don’t think there really is a reason or trend behind it,” Cafiero said. “I think our generation just really enjoys good music and knows when good music comes around, they’ll stop and really take it in.”
The group in Gen X I am referring to are those who are obsessed with jam bands. I’m talking about the bands with insane cult followings like Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Grateful Dead and Pearl Jam, just to name a few. These are the ones who get tattoos of their favorite lyrics and symbols, spend all their money on concert tickets and will travel just about anywhere to hear them play.
“I have been to 14 [DMB] shows now,” Cafiero said. “I always check out hometown shows, but I’ll travel for a show pretty often.”
I have currently attended 10 DMB shows and will be attending at least five more this summer. I’m from Long Island, so it has always been easy to travel up and down the east coast for shows.
The amount of money I spend on tickets, traveling and gas money to go to these shows is truly mind blowing. My parents will forever be pissed off at me because of it.
“I do not think it’s insane to travel to see them play for the weekend,” Keenan said. “It’s almost the same as people traveling to Disney World. Love for entertainment is the same no matter what is entertaining for each individual person.”
“I think it’s insane,” said Ashley Mastrogiovanni, a sophomore criminology major. “I don’t think I would ever travel that far just to see a band.”
In Gen Y, the college students, free spirits and musicians are the ones who are following in Gen X’s footsteps. Why is the younger generation catching on to what the older fans have been doing since before they were born? Is it a social thing or do these young fans really go for the music?
I don’t think there is a right or a wrong answer to any of these questions. For me, it’s all about the music, the fans and the experience. I have met the most incredible people who share the same love for DMB and its music as I do. I was once told I was part of a cult because the DMB fans are crazy, but I never saw it that way. I don’t think I’m crazy. My parents may, but I don’t. I just enjoy seeing my favorite band live, no matter how close or far they’re playing, and that’s simply all there is to it.
“People will always be very into music,” Cafiero said. “Like Dave said: ‘Good music is good music and everything else can go to hell.’”