Dave Matthews delivered a bust-out for the ages on Friday night, July 17th, as he performed his first “Let You Down” since 1997. As Matthews has been opening shows with acoustic sets, he came right out of the gate with a joking “Whiter Side of Pale” opener before diving head-first into the bust out tune.

 

One fan posted the story behind the surprise song, saying it was a request passed on through Matthews’ vocal coach and worked up just moments before the show. Read the story below:

I still can’t believe Dave played “Let You Down” last night for the first time in 18 years and it was because of me.

Long story short: Some friends and I were talking with Dave’s voice coach before the show. He made a comment at the end of our conversation, something along the lines of, “when the crowd’s energy is through the roof, the band really feeds off it.” I said, “If Dave wants to see diehard fans go through the roof, you should practice ‘Let You Down’ with him. We’ll go nuts.” He leaves a minute later to go backstage. Dave comes out about 30 minutes later to start the show, intentionally messes up Whiter Shade of Pale, asks for a new guitar, and plays LET YOU DOWN!

His vocal coach found us after the show to give my friend a signed setlist. I asked him if Dave & the band had been practicing that song. He replied, “No. You made the suggestion, I walked backstage & told Dave that 5 hardcore fans want to hear Let You Down. Dave’s response was ‘they want to hear THAT…HERE?!’ and Dave then picked up a guitar, went to a private room, practiced it a few times and then played it for you guys.” I thought for sure I would never hear Let You Down. The last time they had played it was 18 years ago….July 13, 1997. Nineteen Ninety SEVEN. I wasn’t even a fan yet.

I can’t believe that he not only played it, but that I was the reason he broke it out. Coolest moment of my crazy DMB fandom for sure. Thank you Dave!

Check out the setlist from the show below:

Setlist: Dave Matthews Band at Klipsch Music Center, Noblesville, IN – 7/17/15

Set I: A Whiter Shade of Pale [aborted], Let You Down, Little Red Bird, Oh, The Stone, Funny the Way It Is, Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back), The Song That Jane Likes, Typical Situation, Stay or Leave

Set II: Minarets, You Might Die Trying, Black and Blue Bird, Rooftop*, Hunger for the Great Light*, I Did It*, Dancing Nancies » Warehouse, Drunken Soldier*, You & Me*, Sledgehammer*, When the World Ends, Too Much

Enc: The Best of What’s Around*, Pig

(*) with The Lovely Ladies

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