Before These Crowded Seats: A Dave Matthews Band Fan's Journey Through 100 Shows

by Mike Carpenter

Twenty-five years of Dave Matthews Band shows from the tailgate lots to the cheap seats . . .



Before These Crowded A Dave Matthews Band Fan’s Journey Through 100 Shows offers an in-depth look at DMB from 2002 to present. Mike Carpenter charts the group’s history while reflecting on his personal experiences as a fan, from his first DMB concert in the winter of 2002 to his 100th during the 2026 Summer Tour.



Discovering Dave Matthews Band as a high school freshman, Carpenter began digging deep into their discography, starting with Before These Crowded Streets and working his way back to Under the Table and Dreaming. It wasn’t long before he was downloading audience tapes and burning them onto CD-Rs. In 2002, he attended his first show and never looked back.



Relive it all — the concerts, tailgates, road trips, campsites, hotel rooms, and everything in between — from Before These Crowded Seats.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2026

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Reviews

[Bean Lukasiewicz]

Absolutely loved this book!! As a fan since the late 90s and started seeing shows in 99(?) I had no idea the band was going to be a huge part of my life - so I lost track of how many times I’ve seen Dave Matthews Band!!

I loved Mike’s opinions even though I didn’t agree with all of them, he gives valid reasons. He also did an amazing job describing venues.

The book made me feel like I was at a show as well as jealous I WASN’T at a show.