After years of fan support and a groundbreaking career that helped define the modern jam band era, Dave Matthews Band was officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse during the 2024 induction ceremony.
In a particularly heartfelt induction, Hollywood icon and longtime DMB supporter Julia Roberts took the stage donning a t-shirt emblazoned with the band’s name. Roberts, who starred in the band’s 2005 video for “Dreamgirl”, spoke warmly of her connection to the group and its long-standing impact on American rock music. “They’ve been a soundtrack to so many lives, including mine,” Roberts said, setting the stage for an emotional tribute.
Dave Matthews, Carter Beauford, Stefan Lessard, Tim Reynolds, Rashawn Ross, and Jeff Coffin stood together to accept the honor and acknowledge two absent but pivotal figures in the band’s history: founding saxophonist LeRoi Moore, who tragically passed away in 2008, and former violinist Boyd Tinsley, who parted ways with the band in 2018.
DMB’s induction into the Hall of Fame comes after years of rallying from the band’s devoted fan base. The band first topped the fan vote in 2020 but was not selected for induction at that time. This year, DMB once again led the fan vote, and this time, the Hall answered the call, cementing the band’s place in rock history.
As the band took to the stage, the audience erupted at the unmistakable opening notes of “Ants Marching”. Fan favorites “Crash Into Me”, “So Much To Say”, and “Too Much” followed before DMB launched into a high-energy encore of Talking Heads’ “Burning Down The House”, a cover the band hadn’t played since 2018.
Dave Matthews Band’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Emerging from Charlottesville, VA in the early 1990s, the group quickly became known for its dynamic live shows, blending rock, jazz, and world music influences in a way that resonated with fans across generations. Albums like Under The Table And Dreaming and Crash turned Dave Matthews into a household name, while the band’s relentless touring has kept DMB at the forefront of the live music scene.
In addition to DMB’s induction, the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony was packed with unforgettable moments, from a jaw-dropping performance by Cher to a powerful tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett to the second induction of Ozzy Osbourne, which included a performance featuring members Of Tool, Metallica, Van Halen, and more.
Watch Dave Matthews Band perform at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony below. The band will return to the road next month for a brief fall tour. Head here for ticketing details.
Dave Matthews Band | 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
[Video: Shawn McCullough]