Photo Credit: Bill Kelly

On Saturday night, Dave Matthews Band closed out their time at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, N.J., after kicking off a two-night stand, which commenced the night prior. The July 22 show boasted a 20-song main frame, including originals, fan favorites, and select covers. A high point of the show was unannounced guest Jeff Bradshaw, who added trombone during the final four songs of the set, such as a fiery take on the Commodores classic, “Brick House.” 

The weekend display began with a noteworthy start, “The Dreaming Tree,” which was last selected as an opener on Aug. 30, 2008. The song choice ended a 74-show gap since it was last played, marking the first 2023 run-through. To follow, the band picked up “Drunken Soldier,” “You Might Die Trying,” and “American Baby Intro” before arriving on “Break Free.” In continuation of the main frame, the ensemble added “Do You Remember,” followed by “Funny the Way It Is” and “Madman’s Eyes.” 

The night’s first cover happened next and consisted of “The Maker” by Daniel Lanois. A return to self-written tunes unfolded next, taking shape as “The Only Thing” and “Say Goodbye,” prior to a high-energy take on Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” More originals dotted the setlist before the arrival of Bradshaw for “Jimi Thing” and an ensuing take on the Commodores’ hip-shaking tune, “Brick House.” Bradshaw stuck around for “What Would You Say” and the crowd-rousing, set-ender “Ants Marching.” 

After wrapping their time with Bradshaw, a lone Matthews took the stage and kicked off the night’s encore with a partial “Little Things,” which merged into his follow-up, a take on Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away.” The remaining band members trickled onto the stage to cap the evening with “Stay (Wasting Time).” The band’s summer tour will resume on Tuesday, July 25, at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Ga. Tickets are sold out. 

Scroll down to view the setlist from Saturday night via dmbalmanac.com. 

Dave Matthews Band 

Freedom Mortgage Pavilion – Camden, N.J. 

July 22, 2023 

Set: The Dreaming Tree, Drunken Soldier, You Might Die Trying, American Baby Intro, Break Free, Do You Remember, Funny the Way It Is, Madman’s Eyes, The Maker [Daniel Lanois cover], The Only Thing, Say Goodbye, Sledgehammer [Peter Gabriel cover], It Could Happen, The Song That Jane Likes > Water Into Wine, Dancing Nancies, Jimi Thing+ > Brick House [Commodores cover]+, What Would You Say+, Ants Marching+ 

Enc.:  Little Thing [partial], Funny How Time Slips Away [Willie Nelson cover], Stay (Wasting Time) 

Notes: 

+  With Jeff Bradshaw