Robert Randolph Rocks

I thought I'd share my experience this weekend seeing Robert Randolph and Dave Matthews perform at the Tweeter (ok, ok fine. Susquehanna Bank) Center on Saturday.
I should start by saying I'm not considered a Dave Matthews fan. I love the music, enjoy the band, and know a plethora of songs, however for such a cult following, that is not enough. I was, however, lucky enough to win two tickets to their September 19th show in Camden after entering a raffle at a bar. This was convenient, because it was my roommate's birthday and I had yet to think of a present for her. Problem solved.
Gates opened at 7:00. For those of you unfamiliar with the venue, there are 4 or 5 different lots you can park/tailgate in; all of which have their own thing going on. Parking was $20, which I couldn't complain about with free tickets, and we were instructed to park behind the huge warehouse to the left of the venue. The lot wasn't as poppin as it has been the last few times I've visited the Sus. Bank Center, I'm not sure whether it had to do with the crowd or the fact that it was fairly heavily monitored by staff members. Our seats were on the lawn, about four rows back from the VIP seats and a little to the left. The lawn is set up on a hill, so no matter how far back, you can still see the stage.

Robert Randolph and the Family band hit the stage at 7:00 exactly. The opened with a slow jazzy-jammy number to get the crowd warmed up for their next song: an incredibly convincing rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze". The 7 minute cover went places Hendrix wouldn't have touched and really set the stage for a fantastic night. Two songs later, Randolph exited the stage and never came back for the encore we were all requesting.
At this point I left to purchase a "Jumbo" margarita which may or may not have impaired my memory for the Dave set, but I will do my best.

Dave Matthews Band came out around 8:07 (I happened to be looking at my phone) and began with a medly of sound checking tunes that were played behind a sheer white curtain. They teased us with some notes from various DMB classics and after a 10 minute build up, started into "Funny the Way It Is" with a fantastic energy which was emphasized by the curtain being dropped on the first note. Although it's a fairly newer song, everyone knew the words and, as a fan behind me said "That was so good, everything after this is just a bonus". The lights and energy were addicting, and since it was my first Dave show, I was in awe.
He followed with an ignorable "Seven" and a decent version of "Why I Am", which I wasn't familiar with. Next came "The Best of What's Around" which got me a little more excited because I could sing along with the song. A few songs later, (full set list can be found at setlist.fm) a phoenomenal version of "You Might Die Trying" brought the show back around.
I found it a little bit hard to get into the show and stay with it, and those "true" fans I've spoken to agree. Although I was pumped when they started the classic "Where Are You Going?" I found it to be slightly duller than the studio version. By far the highlight for me was the closer, "Jimi Thing", where Dave and the band went for a balls to the wall jam session and succeeded.
The encore consisted of "Baby Blue", "The Maker" (a Daniel LAnois cover), and "Time Bomb". A bit boring, I though they may play "Two Step" just to please the fans, but alas I was wrong. All in all it was a great show, but I don't think I got the full experience with this one. Just my thoughts.