Dave Matthews Band jammed with the best of them at Morton

June 25, 2026

Allison Scavo,

Dave Matthews Band. // photo by Allison Scavo

Dave Matthews Band
Morton Amphitheater
Wednesday, June 24

I’m a Deadhead at heart, so when someone told me Dave Matthews was a jam band, I was ready to debate. I’ve obviously heard their studio recordings throughout the decades but after seeing them in person, I must admit I did not realize they had game like that live and I sincerely underestimated the gravity of their talent. Coming in hot with no opening band or line, DMB went right into “Dancing Nancies” … over 8 minutes of it, with lyrical changes to fit Kansas City. I felt right at home. Once, Dave did acknowledge the crowd it was with a simple “Well, hello there. We did that. Now we’re going to do this,” and they jumped right into their next song. No flare, no gimmicks, just clean jams the entire night.

Throughout their set, the songs continued to stretch far beyond their studio versions, giving each member of the band room to show exactly why they’ve remained relevant for more than three decades (keyboard/piano player Buddy Strong gets specific props). For someone who came in skeptical of the “jam band” label, I left with a lot more respect for what Dave Matthews Band does live. They may not be the first band that comes to mind when I think of the jam scene, but after nearly three hours of nonstop music, intricate musicianship, and a setlist that never lost momentum, they should absolutely be included in the jam scene conversations.

All photos by Allison Scavo

Dave Matthews Band setlist
Dancing Nancies
The Best of What’s Around
Stay or Leave (Dave Matthews song)
Spaceman
Walk Around the Moon
I Did It
Grace Is Gone
Fool to Think
When the World Ends
Virginia in the Rain
Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel cover)
Pay for What You Get
#41 (with Jake Renick Simpson)
Warehouse (with Jake Renick Simpson)
Big Eyed Fish (with Jake Renick Simpson)
Bartender (with Jake Renick Simpson)
Tripping Billies (with Jake Renick Simpson)
—
Take All Day
Lie in Our Graves