Sherri and I are headed to Las Vegas to see the Dave Matthews Band during the last weekend in March to celebrate my birthday. I am a huge fan of the Dave Matthews Band and have been to 76+ shows (read this post for my history with the band) and I look forward to adding shows 77/78 onto my resume shortly.

The band is going to be playing the MGM Grand though we are staying at The Hotel @ Mandalay Bay as we’re going to make a nice getaway weekend out of the trip and want to stay clear of the slot machines when we can. I feel like I’m a regular to Las Vegas - been there 3 times in the past year and it was wonderful and I’m not even a real gambler.

The tickets went on sale to the event in early December and we carved out 45 minutes of our Saturday morning to make sure we were online 15 minutes early at Ticketmaster to purchase two tickets to each show (Friday/Saturday). We had a fast Internet connection. We were on a super fast computer. We were 15 minutes early to ticketmaster.com. We got through every Captcha correctly. We ended up with nose bleed seats to both shows. How is this possible?!?! We did everything correct. Am I frustrated? Yes, of course! Beggars can’t be choosers… we did get tickets in the end (upper section!) but how come we didn’t get floor seats?

My guess is that the MGM Grand has reserved most of the floor seats (or even 100 Section) for their high-rollers. They may have even presold the tickets to other hotels that could utilize them for their gamblers. But what about the other music fans…the TRUE fans who aren’t in Las Vegas to gamble, but rather to consume an unbelievable concert full of music, lights, and dancing nancies?

The argument some would utilize is that if I was a true DMB fan, it wouldn’t matter where in the venue I sit. Yes, while I appreciate that I could enjoy the show from anywhere, I love sitting up close and interacting with the band and watching them play off of each other. The energy that radiates from the stage is incredible - and that’s why I love the Dave Matthews Band.

There are places I could turn to: StubHub and sites like TickestNow. Do I want to pay over face value? No, not really. This is frustrating… I am coming all the way from New York City to see the show and am a true fan. I played by all the rules and I got left behind. Not fun.

BTW:Â Dave Matthews has a third child on the way - congratulations!

MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA, LAS VEGAS
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 23-24, 2007

DMB is excited to announce that The Fray will be the support act for both of the MGM Grand Garden Arena shows.

The Warehouse ticketing request period for the shows at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Series 2-2007, will open on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 9:00 am EST and will close on Friday, December 1, 2006 at 1:00 pm EST. Confirmations will be posted on or before Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 1:00 pm EST. The Warehouse ticketing request period is not first come, first serve; the order in which you place your ticket request does not matter

Tickets will be available to the general public on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 12:00 Noon local time (please refer to local information for on sale locations and times). Ticket outlets will be posted to the DMB and Warehouse websites as soon as the information becomes available.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND AUSTRALIA TOUR - APRIL 2007

The Warehouse ticketing request period for the shows in Australia, Series 3-2007, will open on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 9:00 am EST and will close on Friday, December 1, 2006 at 1:00 pm EST. Confirmations will be posted on or before Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 1:00 pm EST. Please refer to local information for public on sale dates and times. Information will also be posted to the Warehouse website as soon as it becomes available.

Tickets for the Dave Matthews Band Australian tour will only be available to Warehouse members with billing addresses on file that are located OUTSIDE of the United States of America. Please do not place a request for these shows if you have a United States billing address.

After joining the Warehouse and logging in, you may request tickets for Dave Matthews Band tour dates, by visiting the Request Tickets/Tourdates page in the Ticketing section. Please refer to the Warehouse ticketing guidelines for additional information. There is no limit to the number of Dave Matthews Band shows you request through Warehouse ticketing. Please note that if you request multiple shows and are confirmed for them, you will be responsible for payment for all tickets. All ticketing sales are final and no refunds will be issued.

2007
Sat / Mar 31 / West Coast Blues & Roots Festival / Fremantle (Perth) *
Mon / Apr 2 / Festival Theatre / Adelaide
Wed / Apr 4 / Brisbane Convention Centre / Brisbane
Fri / Apr 6 / East Coast Blues & Roots Festival / Byron Bay *
Tue / Apr 10 /Hordern Pavilion / Sydney
Wed / Apr 11 / Hordern Pavilion / Sydney
Fri / Apr 13 / Vodaphone Arena / Melbourne

* Tickets for the West Coast and East Coast Blues & Roots Festivals will not be offered through Warehouse ticketing.

West Coast Blues & Roots ticketing and initial lineup information is available now at sunsetevents.com.au.

East Coast Blues and Roots Festival ticketing and initial lineup information is available at bluesfest.com.au.