In my opinion: SPAC is typically one of the best stops on DMB's annual summer tours. With this weekend being my 9th and 10th Dave shows, I have still yet to see the same setlist twice - which makes my incessant addition to DMB live all the more worthwhile.
Set List - June 8-9, 2012
Night 1: Proudest Monkey, Don't Drink the Water, You Never Know, Funny The Way It Is, Minarets, #41, Mercy, What Would You Say, Say Goodbye, Seven, Can't Stop, Shake Me Like a Monkey, Lie in Our Graves, You and Me, Warehouse, Ants Marching
Night 1 Encore: #40 > If Only, Halloween, Tripping Billies
Night 2: Eh Hee, You Might Die Trying, Sweet, The Stone, Everyday, Everybody Wake Up, Crush, Spaceman, Squirm, Alligator Pie, Pantala Naga Pampa > Rapunzel, Sister, So Much To Say > Anyone Seen The Bridge > Too Much, Rhyme and Reason, Jimi Thing, Stay
Night 2 Encore: Gaucho, Two Step
The Band: Dave Matthews Band
FINALLLLYY, finally, finally I have lived the experience I've been dreaming about since 2008: Camping at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) for Dave Matthews Band.
I thought the set list from night couldn't be topped, but DAMN night two was out of this world too! Both nights we grabbed a spot on the lawn, set up a blanket to mark our territory, and danced the night away with like-minded souls and a killer light show. The combination of improvisational music, happy people, and peaceful nature culminated in a feeling of pure bliss.
Lindsay and I in our Dave Matthews Band element!
The Venue: Saratoga Performing Arts Center
SPAC is a must-see summer concert experience for anyone who enjoys an outdoor amphitheatre and the woodsy environment of upstate New York. There is a convenient area for camping nearby called Lee's Park Campground, and you can pay a small fee to get bused to and from the campground to the venue each night!
After a glorious first night of Dave, my crew drove into the town of Saratoga the next day and found a beautiful park with little duckies and a merry-go-round (which we totally went on). Then, we found an awesome gypsy-inspired hemp and crystal store, and was served bourbon in our coffees without even asking! The town was having an adorable and patriotic Flag Day parade, and all of the buildings were well-kept and had that historical American vibe.
Quick photo at the camping grounds before DMB night one!
The Crowd: College Kids, and More College Kids.
I couldn't believe how much of a party Lee's Park Campground was at all hours of the day. If you can imagine endless amounts of college kids playing beer pong, throwing frisbees, grilling burgers, and blasting music ALL OF THE TIME with no cops and no limitations on quiet hours, then you can agree this was a beautiful experience to be apart of! ;) Otherwise, stay very far way from the campgrounds and grab yourself a hotel.
So happy I couldn't keep my eyes open!