Dave Matthews Band Played “Halloween” for the First Time 25 Years Ago Today

Rob Slater on October 31, 2017

Dave Matthews’ breakup anthem “Halloween” has grown into a cathartic monster on stage, as Matthews traditionally blows out his vocal chords through lyrics that typically blend together in one desperate, unnerving howl. 

But that’s not how it always was. Twenty-five years ago today, Dave Matthews Band appropriately unveiled their newest song on the holiday that bares its name. Playing at Trax in Charlottesville on Halloween night, the band slithered their way into the loose, 12-minute acoustic slow jam that resembled something closer to elevator music than the ferocious showstopper it is nearly three decades later. 

Listen to the debut below and see if you can recognize the song.