Photo: Bill Kelly

On Wednesday, June 11, Dave Matthews Band took their Summer Tour to Jones Beach in Wantagh, N.Y. During the single set delivery, which leaned heavily into material that originated from Busted Stuff, Crash, and Everyday, the maestro sought an entry for timely and personalized actions, speaking on the state of the world at large and performing apt tributes to the recently departed Brian Wilson and Sly Stone. Adding to the course of the night, they welcomed guest saxophonist and previous collaborator, Dave Pietro. 

Prior to the concert’s most talked-about moments, the band found their entry on the first “Drunken Soldier” opener, which gave way to “Grey Street” and “The Stone.” The latter featured an interpolation of “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which assisted in establishing the night’s trend of using songs as an extension of the bandleader’s feelings. The frontman’s method was underscored during his rendition of The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows.” Before delivering a partial solo cover, Matthews spoke directly to the audience: 

“I think we should take care of each other more than anything else. Everybody who’s not us is our neighbor. Look after everybody. When we do otherwise, it makes me think we’re not really worth it, you know? But I think deep down we’re all good, you just get lost. What’s happening in Los Angeles right now and all over the streets of this country is just terribly, terribly sad, cause it feels like we’re going in the wrong direction. I don’t know what the goal is other than to be cruel, and make us full of fear, other than to make us be quiet, and make us lie down. We should be standing up for each other. You know what I mean?

At the drop of a hat, Matthews began his acoustic tribute to Wilson, peppering in the Pet Sounds favorite, before bringing out their guest, Dave Pietro, a previous live collaborator on two prior occasions, Dec. 21, 2012 (“Jimi Thing”) and July 15, 2016 (“Grey Street”). During last night’s appearance, Pietro sat in on “Jimi Thing,” accentuating the track’s instrumental interlude over 12 years after his initial arrival on the same song. 

Before ending their time on Long Island, DMB thanked Sly Stone, who passed away on June 9, 2025, at age 82. The whole band reprised the 1969 Sly and the Family Stone classic,  “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” a perfect match for the ensemble, who gave a lively delivery of the beloved mondegreen titled track. 

After last night’s concert, the band will perform live in Cincinnati on Friday, June 13. Tickets remain on sale.

Dave Matthews Band 

Jones Beach – Wantagh, NY

June 11, 2025

Set: Drunken Soldier, Grey Street, The Stone, The Only Thing, Big Eyed Fish, Bartender, Stay or Leave, So Right, God Only Knows, Crash Into Me, Jimi Thing, Everyday, Do You Remember, Rhyme & Reason, Spoon, What You Are, Tripping Billies, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)

Enc.: Peace on Earth, Two Step