Summer has officially begun!

Why? Because it's hot? No.
Because school is out? No.
Because it's past Memorial Day weekend? No.

Give up?

It's because today is the first of the Dave Matthews Band 2008 Summer Tour!!!

Summer, for the most part, is not really my time of year. But a little DMB touring action makes it so much more bearable. Now, why would I be excited about a tour where the show I'm going to is not for another two months? Well, DMB does something many other touring acts do not.....they play a different setlist every night. Of course there are songs that get pretty heavy rotation (if they've released a new album and whatnot), but it's fun to watch the setlist and see what that night's audience is getting to hear.

And, let me tell you, this setlist thing is serious business. First of all, the roadies actually have a real time page where they update the list as.it.happens (which was brought about because so many fans wanted to see the list as.it.happens). Second, there is a game. Yes, a game. Fans have up until an hour before the show to enter what they think the setlist will be that night and are given points based on how close they get. They do this all summer. I have not crossed over to that level of crazy. Yet.

As stated above, the shows I'm going to aren't for another two months (56 days to be exact). My friends Sarah, Rachel and I will be driving 5 hours to just outside Indianapolis to see the boys at Deer Creek. I used to just go see them here. Until they closed our amphitheater (Music City, my ass). Deer Creek is reasonable driving distance, is a two-night stand and has a larger audience of hard core fans. We camp at the venue, so easy walking back and forth (no parking lot traffic jams!). Plus it's nice to chill on Saturday and get to know other freaks like us. Good times.

This year will be concerts #18 and #19 for me (been going since 2002). I keep track of the songs I get to hear which is always good conversation for those of us who have no life ("You got Seek Up? Man, I've been to 15 shows and never gotten it!" or "I've gotten Where Are You Going over 20 times....they could really use a year off from that one.....") I even have a spreadsheet. God, I am such a dork.

So in a few hours we, the crazy community of DMB faithful, will get our first taste of what the boys have in store for us this summer. (Dave, if you're listening, I would really love to hear Dreaming Tree. PLEASE!)