Live Review: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds at the Olympia Theatre

Sixteen months ago Dave Matthews brought his merry band to Dublin’s 3Arena and produced a powerful and electric show. Tonight, on the other side of the Liffey, Matthews is joined by only one band-mate, Tim Reynolds, the yin to Dave’s yang over countless albums and tours.

The two casually walk onto the stage to tumultuous applause, gather their instruments and gently build into the gorgeously crafted ‘Crush’, which crescendoes with some hugely impressive guitar work from Reynolds.

Fan favorite ‘Satellite’ is next, with Matthews laying down a syncopated, African-style guitar riff, and Reynolds responding with delayed notes which fill the spaces tastefully. In ‘Save Me’, the swamp-like guitar riff underpins lyrics that set him apart from most of his peers. Matthews has always been unafraid to break musical convention, falling into countless genres but never being confined by them; and at the same time, crafting songs that connect with a huge fan base.

As the night proceeds, Matthews’s voice becomes more of an instrumental tool; on the epic ‘Bartender’, it soars like a Dave Gilmour guitar solo over the outro, hypnotising the sold-out Olympia. The duo end with two encores, with ‘Ants Marching’ in particular sending the congregation into a frenzy. Dave Matthews has given the faithful his everything this evening and they know it.