Dave Matthews: ‘Push your Friends in our Direction’

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Virginia’s own Dave Matthews treated attendees of President Barack Obama’s grassroots rally at Jiffy Lube Live to a special acoustic performance.

Adored by his fans, for his “Dave Speak,” his commentary between songs, he chose to communicate with his music Saturday evening.

“I’ll do a couple of things then get out of the way and let the people who can talk, talk,” Dave Matthews said.

Despite his reluctance to overtly voice his politics, he was clearly present to support his president.

“Virginia’s voting for President Obama in 2008 is one of the proudest moments of my life,” he said. “Push your friends in our direction.”

The five-song, solo acoustic set began with a cover of John Denver’s “Take me to Tomorrow.” In the context of the evening, his singing “The day after tomorrow is waitin' for me,” perhaps alludes to his desire to see Obama reelected on Tuesday.

Followed by Funny the Way it is,” “Mercy,” and “You and Me,” Matthews begins with criticism, but transitions to hope for a positive future. (“You and me together, we could do anything, baby.”)

To conclude his set, Matthews proclaimed, “This is a song about this beautiful country that I love” and launched into an impassioned “Don’t Drink the Water,” his ode to the persecution of Native Americans.

While some will accuse Mathews of politicizing his music for the event, judging from the ovation, the fans walked away satisfied.

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