Mini-Tour Down Under

By Waldo Jaquith
It seems that DMB isn't going to Australia just to visit Byron Bay, but to launch a mini-tour. They'll be in the southeast from March 20 through the 26, playing two shows in Melbourne (03/20, 03/21), one in Brisbane (03/23), and one in Sydney (03/26), in addition to playing the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival (03/24), if Sony's Australian website is any indicator. When the band renewed their contract with RCA a year ago, they limited their contract to North America, giving DMB the freedom to work with whomever they like throughout the rest of the world. A few years ago, Dave Matthews Band tried to make a go of it in Europe, but BMG/RCA botched the promotion badly enough that the band quietly ended their relationship with BMG Europe in the summer of 2002. This Australian tour may be a sign that the band is set on creating an audience outside of the United States, or it could just be a fluke. Thanks to James Harvey for the tip. 01/19 Update: A reminder, kids -- don't go buying $1,500 plane tickets until these dates are announced by the band. Tour dates are always subject to change until they're announced formally, and these will probably change.