Washington
First, the John Butler Trio is a great opener, I can't wait to see them the next two nights. On to the show. This had to be the most mellow and laid back show I've ever seen. The vibe from the crowd was great, they were real quiet when necessary...ie...for the very low volume of loving wings and gravedigger...and they sang intro (Hani Hani) when the first few chords of Everyday were played. This show was just amazing. The band played the crowd as well as any instrument they were holding and we could just sit back and enjoy the music, if the next two nights are anything like last night I'll be in heaven. Also, Dave was his normal self, being very quirky at the microphone calling the gorge "little" and the Columbia river a "little" creek where maybe after the show he'd take a dip. Oh yeah, Boyd went off on every song! He is the shit.

Dennis W.
This show was simply fabulous! Dave and the band were definately way into the show and working off the energy of a great crowd! The set list was unbelieveable, by far one of the best I've ever seen- a great mix of old school DMB and new school DMB.

David A.
This show was awesome. Dont Drink the Water and When the World Ends were good openers. but #41, Bartender, and So Much to Say > Too Much were the highlights. #41 featured a butch piano solo which was off the hook. Bartender began with Boyd playing that single note for about a minute. Ants was a tight closer, and Loving Wings is an awesome song. All in all, a real sweet show. See You at Gorge '03

Anna G.
This was my first DMB concert and I must say I was not dissappointed. Every song they sang was amazing. I walked away completely satisfied. When they sang EVERYDAY the crowd sang at the beginning before dave did and it was so awesome. Boyd was so playful and energetic, it made me so happy. Everyone played beautifully. The environment seemed really laid back and condusive to a happy joyful atmosphere. I am still glowing from the show. I'm so thankful that I got to experience the band finally and know I will definitely go see them the next possible chance I get.

Tyler A.
Fridays show was pretty good, the only thing that I was dissapointed in was the huge amount of new songs, but they where all done well. Here it is broken down song by song: Don't Drink the Water: Great opener, never heard before and I was very pleased. When The World Ends: Well done. You Never Know: Nice song, played well. Grace Is Gone: Heard it too many times. #41: Great sonng almost a 15 minnute jam, very impressive. Satellite: Surprised it wasn't played with Proudest Monkey, but it was still awsome alone. Bartender: Good song, nice to hear. So Much To Say--> Anyone Seen the Bridge?-->: I really wanted to hear this and I did, very nicely done. Too Much: Never liked this song, but I enjoyed it live. Fool To Think: I like this song and was glad to hear it. One Sweet World: Great song, glad to hear. Loving Wings: My first time hearing it live, it was very well done. Where Are You Going: Probably my favorite BS song so I was glad to hear it as well. Everyday: My first time hearing it done live other than #41(Everyday), it was done to perfection. Grey Street: Heard it a lot but its still fun. Gravedigger: Never really heard it untill now, but I really liked it. Ants Marching: I was definatly not expecting this one but always a pleasure to hear. Over all a pretty good show, I had a lote of fun.

Lisa M.
The funnest, most joyous show ever for me, thanks in part to the awesome crowd: mellow, but fun, respectful and there to actually see and hear the band! I thought the set list was a perfect mix of the best of the new and some real classics. Here are the highlights: DDTW: powerful and unexpected opener. You Never Know: was so surprised and happy to hear live as it's not dancy or a crowd-pleaser, but the lyrics are phenomenal and it's one of my new favs because it speaks to my soul and is a beautiful song. Grace Is Gone: simply gorgeous. Satellite: I was just looking up at the stars above me and thinking, "Satellite would be perfect" and I guess dave read my mind! He struggled with the high notes, but who cares? It's Sweet Satellite for gods sake! Bartender: Powerful and well done, dave hit the notes on this one. One Sweet World: never heard this one live, it fit into the line up nicely. Loving Wings: the love was flowing, beautifully done. Everyday mix: really fun and the crowd singing along - a highlight. Grey Street: OK, I kinda liked this song before, but played live it is in a class of it's own, WOW, really powerful and dave just poured his heart and voice into it, now I LOVE IT! That's what is so cool about dmb live - it can really change your opinion of the recorded stuff. Encore was a great combo: sorta sad Gravedigger (but beautiful and shows off the voice)then uplifting Ants Marching. I left feeling positive and happy and finally(!) with love for my fellow Gorge-Go-ers!

Jaird
WOW. This was my first DMB concert (I live in Canada and he doesn't come around very often), and it was simply amazing. DDTW was a great opening and Butch did great jams on 41 and Bartender. I loved Gravedigger too. The whole setlist was perfect except for maybe Fool To Think. Definetly gonna see another show.

Susan
Wow, where do I begin? This was my first Dave experiance being by myself at the concert...although I cannot say alone because we are all a family. The concert was pretty amazing...the crowd was very respectful, enthusiastic and full of love. He seemed to play a lot of the fan favorites which was incredable! I have even more appreciation for them (if that is possible)knowing that Dave did this without being able to hear in his ear pieces! There were technical difficulties going on with his ear pieces and you can sense from his body language that he was getting quite frustrated, but when he left the stage during Bartender you knew something was up...however he came back onstage in full force and fired up the crowd with So Much to Say and Too Much and it appeared that they had everything fixed. There was no way most people could have known that there was a problem..which goes to show you how rockin Dave is!!! Overall the night was one I will not soon forget...good music, good friends, good times.

Jordan V.
Excellent show! Some highlights: DDTW busted in with vengeance, the video screen is a huge improvement for such a huge place like the gorge. they even had lights illuminating the cliffs this time (for the documentary?) When dave broke into Anyone Seen the Bridge, I was blown away! His scat / patented dancing was awesome to watch. Dave started playing the tune of Everyday, and all the fans started singing Hani Hani. It went on for a while, then dave started to sing Everyday. When the lyrics ended, the crowd sang Hani Hani again. Dave started "freestyling", about it being "really cold" (man it was!) and "dance with me" then they broke into Hani Hani themselves. I've never seen them work off the crowd like that! I heard a lot of songs I've never heard live before, like the new two off Busted Stuff, and One Sweet World and Gravedigger. See you next year! P.S. Camping prices went up huge in the past couple years, and no alcohol is allowed. I'll try Wild Horse campground next year.

Caleb
Well here we are... Gorge 2002...all the hype is finnally over..John Butler Trio was real cool, I bought the CD. Probably the best DMB opener I've seen...DDTW isn't my fav opener, but the crowd liked it...WTWE-some davespeak "I hope it doesn't happen, but if the world ends, I wanna be here with you guys" Dave screwed up the lyrics and kinda babbled for a while, it was fun...YNK-excellent version, definite high light. Dave had some problems hitting the high notes. This is getting to be a crowd pleaser too... GIG- well played, the crowd knew all the words, and sang along...#41-they noodled around for a while, then went into it...good version, with nice long butch solo in between boyds and rois. I wanted to hear and everyday outro, or hear it go into say goodbye, but daves voice would have none of that...satelite- I thought I'd never hear proudest monkey, so I was mad they didn't do it then, Dave had trouble with the high notes again...Bartender- can't go wrong with that, more trouble hitting the wailing notes for Dave...SMTS-ASTB-Too Much- got the crowd moving again after a long bartender, during ASTB, Dave scatted and did these cool hand motions that made him look like a rapper, I hope that goes on the Gorge 2002 DVD( more on that later)...FTT- meh...OSW- it was cool to see the scenery and hear this playing, nice Dave scat at the end, Dave and Carter high fived after this...LW- I was the only one who knew the words. They jam this out alot more, with Carter and Roi both haveing nice solos, song kinda reminds me of Proudest Monkey...WAYG- same old...Everyday-definte highlight, Dave sang the verse lyrics to #36 during the hani, hani jam at the end. "I see you there, sitting in the corner by yourself/I don't wanna see you blue girl" etc...very cool...Grey Street- crowd knew all the words, why this isn't going to be the next single, I don't know...Encore-Gravedigger- I love this song, hasn't changed much, there were some very ignorant people making fun of it afterwords, grrr...Ants- ants was it's same old self, the band seemed to be enjoying themselv, so the crowd enjoyed them too... very good concert, nothing like the last night, but real solid. I talked to these people that had met stephan that said that all of the video footage would be in a DVD in a couple years...best of Gorge 2002 or something...

Kristin
This was my tenth DMB show and my brother's first (he saw Dave solo last year at Groundwork). We were in the ninth row in the center section. It was cool to see all the cameras filming the show. This was the first year that they had a screen at the Gorge, which should be a permanent fixture so the people on the lawn can see what's going on. It was my first time hearing Loving Wings and Gravedigger live. Dave had a little trouble with some of the high notes but his voice was strong overall. The show was about 2 1/2 hours long and more mellow than the next two nights, but still a lot of fun.

Andy T.
Show #4 for me, and first for the weekend (also went on Sunday). I drove all the way from Southern California for the shows, which is around 2600 miles round trip, and it was well worth it! It was a usual setlist tonight, but the venue made it special. The place is heaven on earth, what can I say? Even Dave said it was Heaven's Amphitheatre. Firsts for me were: Fool To Think, One Sweet World, Loving Wings (which is lovely), and a full version of Gravedigger. I heard a tease of it at the May 15th show at Staples Center. It was an awesome, solid show which pleased everyone in attendance. It was my Girlfriend's first DMB show AND first concert! Its gonna be downhill for her concerts from now on (after Sunday's show, of course ;) I LOVED Anyone Seen The Bridge! Dave went crazy on the dancing.. It was my favorite song of the night ! FTT sounded great live. You Never Know has grown on me so much, i love it. #41 was a pleasure to listen to. I called it for the opener, but o well. I got to hear it! I thought the guys would have played it on Saturday night, with it being Roi's 41st birthday.. Gravedigger was awesome, and OSW's intro is SSSOOO beautiful.. 2nd fav. of the night behind AASTB? Grey Street was a good closer, and Ants was a great encore finisher. Great show guys. BUT, we all know Sunday was better!!!!!!!!!!