Ten Years Ago Today: Dave Matthews Band Cover “Sweet Caroline” at Fenway Park

Rob Slater on July 8, 2016


Dave Matthews Band’s 2006 tour is largely forgettable, as the band tried to piece together whatever creativity they had left after the abysmal Stand Up release in 2005. Still, the ’06 summer tour felt like an extension of that period, with songs like “Hunger for the Great Light” and the cheesy “Louisiana Bayou” dominating sets. 

Yes, there were also new songs that showed a positive direction for the band like “The Idea of You” and “Break Free.” On the flip side, there was also “Can’t Stop” and “Sister,” two of the weaker new offerings from DMB in the last decade. 

For all the weak, the tour was anchored by two shows at Boston’s famed Fenway Park that would eventually turn into Live Trax Vol. 6, highlighted by the debut of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” a fixture at Boston Red Sox games played every night after the top of the eighth inning. Matthews’ worn voice was just perfect enough to give it a much-needed bite and the locals in the audience handled the rest. 

Relive that moment ten years ago to date.