Dave Matthews Band Captivates Camden with Stellar Performance

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Bayside returned to Philly this past week for a two night stand celebrating their music both old and new. i99Radio was on the scene to capture night one of two. For the first night, Bayside brought songs from their early years, 2004 to 2008. For many of us, it takes us back instantly to the songs of our childhood, middle and high school years, and the audience spanning Gen X to Gen Alpha came ready to rock.

Long Island, NY’s The Sleeping started the night off and brought their unique blend of post-hardcore and raw energy to the stage that really got the audience going. People thrashed around and sang along, and even a toddler hopping up on his dad’s shoulders to get a better view of frontman Doug Robinson, who climbed up to the barrier, putting his microphone up to fans to sing along with them, and eventually even crowdsurfing above their heads at one point. The band has been experiencing a revival since their reunion in 2022 and their fantastic newest album, “I Feel Like I’m Becoming a Ghost”, dropping in 2023.

Bayside then took the stage, kicking off their set with the classic track, “Montauk”, from their second self-titled album. Frontman Anthony Ranieri commented how their idea for the “Errors Tour” came about when they wanted to play 44 songs in each city, instead of just 22. He talked about how the band has so many songs that fans love from all across their career, but not enough time to play them all, so they thought, “why not just play 2 nights in every city?”

The night of classic nostalgia continued on, with the band delivering high-energy versions of much loved tracks from their third album, 2007’s “The Walking Wounded”, like “Duality”, “I and I”, and the ballad “Landing Feet First” (of which started a massive audience singalong). The band also reached far back in their discography, playing tracks from their first years as a band, like “Masterpiece”, “Guardrail” and “Kellum”, off of the first album, 2004’s “Sirens and Condolences.” The audience was audibly excited by this, as these tracks are very rarely played live. The audience cheered loudly and unleashed a constant stream of crowd-surfers to the front of stage as they ripped through these classic tracks. The “newest” songs they played for night 1 were tracks from 2008’s classic album, “Shudder”, like “Boy”, “No One Understands” and “The Ghost of St. Valentine”. Again, many of these tracks haven’t been played since the Shudder Tour in 2008 so hearing these songs was certainly a treat for the audience.

Bayside’s show at Brooklyn Bowl was a testament to how the songs we grew up with are forever engrained in our DNA, the music grows with us and becomes a part of us as we grow older, but we never forget the songs that influenced us almost two decades ago. The 1,000 people in the audience who turned up to sing every word of these songs that are almost 20 years old now proves this to be true and Bayside to be a band close to so many people’s hearts.

Photos by Dave Avidan

Dave Matthews Band Captivates Camden with Stellar Performance
đź“Ť Friday, July 25, 2025 | Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, NJ

Dave Matthews Band returned to Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion Friday night, bringing their iconic sound and magnetic energy to thousands of fans eager to experience the band’s renowned live performance. From the moment the first chords echoed through the venue, the crowd was drawn into an unforgettable journey marked by musical virtuosity and palpable joy.

Kicking things off, the classic opener “Pantala Naga Pampa” transitioned seamlessly into the energetic “Grey Street,” setting an enthusiastic tone that carried throughout the night. The band’s exceptional musicianship was on full display, weaving effortlessly between beloved hits and deeper tracks that showcased their extensive catalog.

Early highlights included powerful renditions of “You Never Know” and “When the World Ends,” songs that have long resonated with fans for their emotional depth and lyrical beauty. Tracks like “Joyride” and “Can’t Stop” ignited the crowd into spontaneous dancing, creating an electric atmosphere filled with communal spirit.

Midway through the set, the band offered fans a mix of deep cuts and surprise covers, including an exhilarating performance of “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” originally by Sly & The Family Stone, which served as a high-energy homage that elevated the energy even further. Renditions of “Seek Up,” “Drive In, Drive Out,” and the poignant “The Space Between” showcased the band’s remarkable range, from high-energy jams to heartfelt ballads.

Dave Matthews Band’s signature improvisational style was particularly evident during extended versions of “So Damn Lucky” and the fan-favorite “Dancing Nancies,” both receiving enthusiastic sing-alongs and thunderous applause. The band’s deep connection with their audience was evident, as fans swayed, sang, and danced throughout the expansive setlist.

An especially memorable moment came during the encore, starting with a haunting solo rendition of “Some Devil,” capturing the audience’s attention with its emotional intensity. The night ended powerfully with an epic performance of “Two Step,” leaving fans exhilarated and buzzing with excitement.

Overall, Dave Matthews Band delivered a compelling and dynamic concert experience, highlighting their enduring ability to captivate audiences through masterful musicianship and sincere interactions. Fans left Freedom Mortgage Pavilion with unforgettable memories and an eagerness for the next chance to see the band perform live.

Dave Matthews Band – Setlist – July 25, 2025
đź“Ť Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, NJ

  1. Pantala Naga Pampa
  2. Grey Street
  3. You Never Know
  4. When the World Ends
  5. Joyride
  6. Can’t Stop
  7. Grace Is Gone
  8. Rooftop
  9. Seek Up
  10. Drive In, Drive Out
  11. The Space Between
  12. The Only Thing
  13. So Damn Lucky
  14. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Sly & The Family Stone cover)
  15. Captain
  16. Let’s Dance (David Bowie cover)
  17. So Right
  18. Dancing Nancies
  19. Granny
  20. Kill the Preacher
  21. Why I Am

Encore:
22. Some Devil
23. Two Step

 

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