Alpine Weekend in Review - with Pictures and Video! (LONG)

[AlexK79]

Heading up to Alpine Valley for the 4th of July weekend was a little bittersweet this year. I saw my very first DMB show there in 2000 and it's the show that got me hooked on this band. Knowing that this would probably be my last trip there until at least 2012 (unless another band I dig hits the venue next year...), I was hoping for an amazing weekend to remember, and DMB delivered big time.

Above all else, the crowd is really what makes Alpine stand out among venues for DMB. From the first notes on Saturday until Carter throws his last stick on Sunday night, there is an energy and electricity in the air that is simply impossible to describe unless you are there. The palpable feeling of excitement from the band feeding off the energy of a collective throng of 40,000 fans is what can take a tired song like Cornbread that I've seen what seems like a hundred times and turn it into an absolute ball of adrenaline that makes impossible to not shake your ass and sing along. I hate 'venue wars' and I think the very idea of arguing over something so trivial is amazingly stupid. I wish every crowd and venue was able to coax performances out of the band like Alpine seems to be able to. But having seen the band in a lot of different places, there's just a magic about the shows there that is undeniable, even if there is the occasional forgettable set (I'm looking at you, N1 2009.)

But, onto the shows...

We left home around noon on Saturday afternoon, drove up to Waukesha, a town of about 64,000 about 25 miles from Alpine Valley, and checked into our room at the Super 8. The hotel was, of course, filled with DMB fans getting ready to trek to the venue. After checking in and dropping the bags in the room, we met back up with our friends and started the caravan out to Alpine!

We got stuck in the Green Lot, which sucks for the simple reason that it has no access to the other lots. So, if you're trying to meet up with someone and they're in Yellow or Blue, you are SOL. Other than that it was a great scene, lots of fun people anticipating a great show. We had set up out table, chairs, and coolers and I was halfway into my first beer of the afternoon when I was struck by an immediate flash of fear....I HAD LEFT OUR TICKETS IN MY SUITCASE AT THE HOTEL. I had my girlfriend and I's tickets for both nights, as well as the N1 tickets of two friends that were on their way up to meet us. I looked around and immediately realized that there was no way I was going to get back out of the parking lot to try and return to the hotel. This weekend marked DMB shows #33 and 34 for me and I had never pulled such a bonehead move going to any concert, DMB or otherwise. I had no choice but to call my friends back who were en route and beg them to go to the hotel and pick up the tickets. Fortunately, the sketchy cell-phone service near Alpine held up long enough for me to call and explain the dilemna. My wonderful friends Adam and Justin were kind enough to divert from their route and go to the hotel. We called the hotel and they let them in our room to retrieve the tickets. They made it back in plenty of time, but were unable to get into the Green lot, so we just met them near will call before heading into the show. For making them go so far out of their way to make up for my idiocy, I decided to give Adam and Justin my seats in row CC and take theirs in NN.

The seats in NN were off to the left side, but we still had full view of every band member and were at a very nice distance. Saw the little guitar on the stage and knew the opener was going to be...

Squirm - one of my favorites off BW and a very solid performance.

Big Eyed Fish - an amazing song and excellent performance, crowd was really starting to get into it at this point. Waited for the segue into Bartender, but instead they took it into...

Stay or Leave - this is a song I like a lot more live than studio. Full band version with Tim is excellent. The crowd was singing along to this at full volume and you could tell Dave was really getting a kick out of it.

The Stone - YES! The crowd erupted as soon as Dave went into the intro. This is in the group of songs that I could see at every DMB show I go to and never get sick of it. I was elated that they brought it back at Camden and hoping to get it at Alpine. FANTASTIC version. Jeff is absolutely nasty on this song. I am listening to Crumbo's tape of this as I write this and the performance is even better than I remember. For those of you that just like to download selected tracks from shows, this is a must have.

Proudest Monkey - Always a highlight for me. I absolutely love this song and love what Tim brings to it live. Of course was fully expecting it to go into Satellite, but instead just a neat little tease and into...

Seven - This was the moment I started thinking we were in for some surprises this weekend. Not because they had played anything yet that was completely unexpected, but because within the first 6 tunes they had changed it up from two segues (BEF --> Bartender and PM -->Satellite) that they've been using forever. As for Seven, this song was initially one of my least favorite tracks on BW, but it has honestly grown on me a bit. It's overplayed, but I really get into the groove, and Dave's voice is holding up on it this year far better than in '09, which makes a ton of difference.

Don't Drink The Water - seen it a million times, but always enjoyable. The crowd was going absolutely crazy for this one and Dave's wails were awesome. Another one I don't really get sick of live because it's just so intense.

You and Me - nice version, nothing unexpected. I'm noticing this year that this tune really gets a pretty big crowd reaction. Is it my favorite? Hell no, but I do enjoy the little rocked up outro, and my girlfriend loves it, so she was excited and I was excited for her.

Stand Up (partial)-->
Cornbread (tease) -->
Recently (partial) -->
I'll gladly take 2 total minutes of Stand Up and Cornbread to get 7 minutes of jamming on Recently. I've noticed a few reviews saying something seemed off on the Recently jam. I didn't notice any problems during the show, perhaps I will when I listen to the tape. Enjoyable for me, even though there was no Pretty Pretty Girl outro.

Funny The Way It Is - Standard performance, nothing new. Not my favorite, but I do enjoy hearing this one live. The crowd eats it up.

Blue Water (partial) - my first big 'HOLY SHIT!" moment of the weekend. Really awesome to see this, my first time full band. Definitely two full verses. I was fortunate enough to have a bunch of other big fans around me who understood and shared my excitement. -->

Dancing Nancies - GREAT way to segue out of Blue Water. A fantastic, high energy version. Dave and Boyd were having a blast getting face to face while Boyd wailed away. -->

Warehouse - LOVE the old school intro. (Though I also love the stop-time intro!) The entire place was hopping for this one. Nancies --> Warehouse is a pairing that should never go away. Killer salsa outro, Jeff and Rashawn sounded fantastic.

Eh Hee - This song has always been very 'meh' for me. I don't hate it, but don't love it. This version was fine, the intro seemed a little different than in the past to my ears.

Can't Stop - Again, meh. This song has a really nice little groove but never goes anywhere. This is my complaint about a lot of tunes from that '05-'07 era. They START with an excellent little riff or groove, but it seems that Dave and/or the band doesn't put in the work to make them into a truly great SONG. There's the germ of a great song here, but instead of working it to it's full potential, they just tack on a chorus that sounds like it took 2 minutes to write and then repeat them over and over.

What Would You Say - Always nice to see this back in the rotation. Fun, funky, gets the crowd amped up and the band was tight.

So Damn Lucky - This song has grown pretty tired to me. They've just played it to death the last few years. Good tune, but needs a rest. Also much better placed early in set.

Shake Me Like A Monkey - Sorry, but this is just NOT a set closer. I don't mind it early, but it's been played way to much and just does not have the punch needed to close a set.

Encore:
Little Red Bird - really enjoyed this a lot. I think it's a beautiful little song and was glad to cross it off my list tonight. The guitar line and melody are extremely McCartney-esque.

Two Step - KILLER. Never get sick of this one and it never disappoints. Tim just wails his ass off on this one, and Carter, my god. His solo was just unreal. This is a download-worthy version for sure. I hope someone got some good video of Carter on this one.

Overall, I came away from N1 very satisfied. It was not a great show, but it was a very solid show with a handful of excellent cuts. I commented to my friends afterwards that this show had several points where it felt ready to completely blast off, but never quite did. The opening run through Proudest Monkey was great, and the Blue Water --> Nancies --> Warehouse run was the highlight of the night for me, along with Two Step. Honestly, a couple changes in the late Eh Hee - Can't Stop - WWYS - SDL - Shake Me run towards the end would have pulled this show from solid to excellent. But it was certainly a very good night 1 and just made me anticipate Sunday night even more!! Here are some N1 photos (not as good as the N2 photos due to seats not being as good, but still some nice shots.)

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Sunday it was just me and the girlfriend heading to the show together, so we made it a leisurely afternoon. Went out for lunch, and then actually went and caught a movie in the afternoon before heading for Alpine around 4:30. Got a great spot in the yellow lot, met up with a couple Ants I had traded some tickets with, and ran into some old friends as well.

Our seats for Sunday were in Sec 202, Row HH, pretty much dead center of the section. IMO, there aren't too many better spots to see the show from, the Pit included.

No Veilette (sp?) or 12 string onstage, just Dave's standard Taylor, so no easy call on the opener tonight. Dave came onstage waving a sparkler around and the crowd erupted, setting the tone for an epic night. I *definitely* was not expecting...

One Sweet World - Wow!! I never tire of this one and was really glad it made it's 2010 debut at Alpine. Great to see the band using some less predictable openers the last few shows (Pig, OSW). In my early show-going days OSW was a pretty typical opener, but it's been quite awhile and I lapped up every second of this one. Crowd really loved it, band sounded great. Great way to set the tone.

Bartender - another one I've seen a lot but will never tire of. Such a powerful, emotional song and every member of the band really gets a chance to shine. I literally get goosebumps hearing 40,000 people sing along with Dave's wails at the top of their lungs.

Everyday --> #36 - Everyday is a song that is not one of my personal favorites, but I can't help grooving to it live because the crowd loves it so damn much.

Spaceman - For me this is one of the more 'old school DMB' sounding tracks on Big Whiskey and I like it. Certainly overplayed though. I could do without it, but Carter was a beast on this and it was a really fun, high energy version. --->

Cornbread - OK. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a huge fan of this song. It is IMO perhaps the most overplayed song in DMB's entire catalog,which is saying something having just debuted in 2007! But this absolutely blew the roof off last night. The new Carter intro is very cool. Say what you will about it as a song, but this had 40,000 people going completely apeshit and the band was feeding off it. Even just hearing the taper pull brings back that energy for me. Dave donned a pair of star-shaped, red, white and blue shades during the tune and was dancing his ass of during the breakdown while Tim tore it up on slide.

Video of Dave going nuts: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/...50219927440413

Break For It - my 2nd time hearing this now. Has a very nice groove, some cool lyrics, and as Dave said in the intro, it makes a great driving song. But again, this song suffers from the same thing that plagues tunes like Can't Stop and YMDT - there's the basis of a great song there but then they just slap an easy chorus on it and repeat. With more work it could really be a gem.

Say Goodbye- WHOA!! Tour debut #3 of the weekend. Carter's intro was sick, and all through it I was trying to calm myself down because I didn't really think they'd go into Say Goodbye. The guy sitting next to me, who was a fellow hardcore, pointed out that Jeff still had the flute and I started to get even more excited. Finally the whole band came in and the venue erupted. One of those tunes that pretty much every segment of the DMB fanbase can agree is amazing. A very tight version, Dave sounded great, Jeff killed it on the flute, and of course Carter is simply not of this earth.

Lying In The Hands of God - IMO, this is the one tune on Big Whiskey that can truly stand alongside the Big 3 and LWS material. Just a brilliant song. The jam is fantastic and seems to be continually evolving. Jeff Coffin absolutely owns here.

Digging a Ditch - always thought this was a beautiful song and was a nice treat. I love getting a nice Dave solo (or near to it) tune midset. I will take any LWS tune, any time.

Drive In Drive Out - Tour debut #4!!! I went completely nuts as soon as I heard the intro. I never in a million years expected to get this song. This song has so much frantic energy, I just don't know why it isn't a live staple. I had only seen it 4 times in 32 shows before this weekend, and not at all since 2004. Carter absolutely owned and the band was tight as hell, especially for a debut. One of the highlights of my weekend, easily.

Grey Street - I think this performance moved it into my #1 most seen song. (19 plays in 34 shows.) I still never get sick of it. 3rd verse or no 3rd verse this is such a powerful song and another one where the crowd energy is so amazing because I think this one crosses over to all segments of the fanbase. More goosebumps when the crowd sings with Dave on the wails.

Jimi Thing - I know a lot of people here think this song needs a rest, but I have to be honest, I absolutely love hearing it live each and every time. It's not in my top tier of favorite DMB tracks, but it's just so much damn fun live and I love watching Dave's shit-eating grin while 40,000 strong are singing the whole damn thing for him. The crowd got a 'Thank You' chant going during the break down and Dave loved every second of it. This was a great time to do it and make that connection to the last couple of years and not have to actually hear the whole song.

Why I Am - Standard version. Another one that is overplayed, but the energy from the crowd at Alpine makes it so enjoyable, especially as a tribute to Roi.

The Needle and the Damage Done - This is one of my favorite Neil Young songs, and I love Dave's take on it. One thing I love about being in the pavilion at Alpine is that when Dave does a quiet tune (this, LRB, Ditch,etc.) the pavilion crowd hushes to the point you can hear a pin drop. (I can't speak for the lawn... )

Tripping Billies - How could anyone not love this one?! Get the whole crowd rocking and Boyd just tore the solo a new one. He and Dave had some amazing face to face jamming. I love the tracks when Boyd gets to truly rock out because they are so fewer these days than in the past. Fantastic version with a ton of energy. At this point I was thinking Billies was going to be the set closer, but....

Gravedigger - a little new twist on the intro, but otherwise standard. This is another 'take it or leave it' song for me. I don't mind it but it doesn't blow me away. It's one of my girlfriend's favorites though and she loved it, and it got a great crowd response.

You Might Die Trying - Every time I hear this I wish I could just skip straight to the jam. The main structure of this song is so boring (Sorry, but using the exact same riff for the verse and the chorus is just lazy. Thanks Mark Batson.) However, the end jam, Coffin, and Tim's solo on this one just take it to a whole different level. I truly enjoy what they've done with it and it's a lot of fun.

Ants Marching - As always, a great way to close the set. I was really hoping that YMDT was not going to be the closer and they obliged us here. Carter's intro is a bit different and they really stretch it out, which is great. The place was just on the verge of exploding and the band was feeding that energy right back. So much fun to turn around and see nothing but a wall of people literally as far as your eyes can see, everyone dancing and grooving like it's their last day on earth. Loved Rashawn throwing in the 'Sanford and Son' theme in the intro.

Encore: I was pretty prepared for the Time Bomb/Watchtower encore, given it was the 4th and Stefan's 'Star Spangled Banner' intro. What I wasn't prepared for was...

I'll Back You Up - Wow!! This is my girlfriend's favorite song and will likely be our wedding song. Every time she comes with me to a show she says "Do you think he'll play our song babe?" and I have to answer "I really doubt it, he just doesn't do that one much anymore." When he started the intro I was expecting just a tease, but then I saw him step to the mic. Amazing! Dave sounded very good and it was just a really emotional few minutes. The song is just so beautiful, and I found out today that it wasn't on the setlist but Dave played it for a guy who was holding a sign that said "Please play I'll Back You Up for my wife in Iraq." EXTREMELY classy on Dave's part and a really great gesture.

Time Bomb - I know a lot of folks don't like this as an encore tune, but I really enjoy it. I love Tim's solo.

All Along The Watchtower - mostly standard version, but they extended the outro a bit and Carter just went completely insane. I pretty much expected this to close on the 4th so no surprises here, but Watchtower is always a great tune to cap off the night with. The crowd loves it.

N2 Pics (much better than N1 pics! )

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All in all, I really couldn't have asked for a better weekend with 80,000 of my closest friends. While the sets weren't as consistently epic as say, 2008, who can possibly argue with a 2 night stand that debuts Blue Water, OSW, Say Goodbye, Drive in Drive Out, and I'll Back You Up and also includes Stone, BEF, Bartender, Nancies, WH, Ants, Billies, Grey St, Proudest Monkey, Recently, Two Step, etc...?

I have some more videos that I will try to get upped and post in this thread later tonight or tomorrow. For now, check out the one from Cornbread I posted the link to above, so much fun!

[trippincraigers]

couldn't agree more. the emotion for both nights from the band and crowd was bone chilling. i had goose bumps on numerous occasions....(especiall blue water and i'll back you up). I'm giving the nod to night 2 but night 1 was pretty darn good as well. Thanks so much DMB. See you in minneapolis, and i would see you in Wrigley but you scheduled it on the rehearsal and the wedding day of my friend i am best man for. (So Sad)

craig

[Sabres914]

At night 2, what song was it where Dave wore the sunglasses? I can't remember for the life of me!

[Geoff8]

only saw n2 but definitely enjoyed it

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by Sabres914

At night 2, what song was it where Dave wore the sunglasses? I can't remember for the life of me!

Cornbread.

Check out the video in my OP...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...50219927440413

[aggiekjw]

i threw those glasses up there.. oh the small things.. it was a nice toss though. hit the only light on stage in between spaceman and cornbread.. he tossed em off before singing the first lyrics and then picked them back up for hte outro

[AZFish]

nice review.

[dontburnthe_pig]

the goosebumps really hit after billies.. i don't know if anyone else caught it, but stefan was FEELIN it and he just clenched up and looked at the roof. that just really stuck out to me.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by dontburnthe_pig

the goosebumps really hit after billies.. i don't know if anyone else caught it, but stefan was FEELIN it and he just clenched up and looked at the roof. that just really stuck out to me.

I noticed that! He was really feeling it the whole time. I love his tweets:

After N1: "Nice to see all you great peeps tonight! Alpine always deliver, I have bruises on my fingers"

After N2: "Just buzzing after Alpine..."

[Rodey]

Awesome review Alex, I pretty much share most of your sentiments. I have to admit that I go to Alpine every year expecting big (and unrealistic) things and even in doing so, I usually never get disappointed by a show. Once you arrive in that atmosphere that engulfs Alpine, it's really hard not to have a good time. Very bittersweet that I won't see this band there until 2012 and I selfishly wish they were touring next summer.

That being said, I might have to get to the Wrigley shows.

[graceisgoneDPT]

Great review!
I got to experience Alpine for the first time this weekend and it definately did not disappoint. As a long time Deer Creeker I really didn't know what to expect, but Alpine really is different, in an awesome way.
Wish I would have gotten there sooner than this year, and oh what a bummer I can't go back now until 2012.
It made the 8 hour trek from Louisville through horrendous Chicago traffic on saturday TOTALLY worth it!

[seanpathickey]

made my first alpine trip from texas, best weekend of my life! oh how i wish they weren't taking off next year

[dontburnthe_pig]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

I noticed that! He was really feeling it the whole time. I love his tweets:

After N1: "Nice to see all you great peeps tonight! Alpine always deliver, I have bruises on my fingers"

After N2: "Just buzzing after Alpine..."

word. stefan is quickly turning into my favorite member of this band.

[UTTAD83]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

I noticed that! He was really feeling it the whole time. I love his tweets:

After N1: "Nice to see all you great peeps tonight! Alpine always deliver, I have bruises on my fingers"

After N2: "Just buzzing after Alpine..."

We'll have to meet up next time. You didn't sit in my section N2 did you that was N1 right (201 CC)? Anyways, good review, sums up the Alpine experience pretty well. My only negative of the weekend was coming back to our car being broke into (no glass, doors were locked but we swear they were locked before as well) and my girlfriend's purse was stolen.

[AlexK79]

Originally Posted by UTTAD83

We'll have to meet up next time. You didn't sit in my section N2 did you that was N1 right (201 CC)? Anyways, good review, sums up the Alpine experience pretty well. My only negative of the weekend was coming back to our car being broke into (no glass, doors were locked but we swear they were locked before as well) and my girlfriend's purse was stolen.

Yeah I was in 201 for N1. N2 were were in 202 HH. Fortunately I got your PM before we left or I might have walked up to a couple of random people N1 and offered to smoke them up!

That totally sucks about your car man, I always wonder what drives people to do shit like that, especially at a place like that where everyone is just there to have a great time.

Are you coming to Wrigley?

[UTTAD83]

Originally Posted by AlexK79

Yeah I was in 201 for N1. N2 were were in 202 HH. Fortunately I got your PM before we left or I might have walked up to a couple of random people N1 and offered to smoke them up!

That totally sucks about your car man, I always wonder what drives people to do shit like that, especially at a place like that where everyone is just there to have a great time.

Are you coming to Wrigley?

Haha that's ok I offered lots of randoms green We were in 202 Z N1 almost like we flip flopped haha. I don't know what drives people to do this, someone else I know said the same thing happened and their cameras were stolen Just a shitty way to end the weekend.

I should be going to Wrigley not 100% sure yet but most likely.