Released 24 years ago today
Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
Dave Matthews Band · 2002
150 min · 21 tracks · rock music
A vibrant blend of rock improvisation and heartfelt storytelling set against the backdrop of a live audience's energy.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Don't Drink the Water Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
-
→
Bartender — The haunting atmosphere of this track showcases the band's ability to build tension and release it through powerful crescendos, highlighting Matthews' vocal range and lyrical depth.
-
→
Crash Into Me — This beloved classic stands out for its intimate lyrics and melodic structure, resonating deeply with fans while emphasizing the band's signature sound.
-
→
All Along the Watchtower — Their rendition of this Bob Dylan classic features an extended instrumental section that emphasizes improvisation, demonstrating the band's ability to reinterpret iconic songs in fresh ways.
-
→
Ants Marching — As a staple of their live performances, this track encapsulates the band’s energetic stage presence and infectious rhythm, making it a fan favorite.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures the band's improvisational spirit and showcases their ability to reinterpret songs live.
What we noticed
- The album features extended jams on several tracks, with improvisational solos that can stretch the length of songs significantly.
- Several tracks incorporate unique arrangements compared to their studio versions, highlighting the band's live adaptability.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic live performance energy
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- long tracks for deep immersion
- engaging sing-along moments
- improvisational flow throughout set
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Captured the band's live energy, solidifying their status after previous commercial success.
- Themes
- Boulder concert energy· improvisational rock spirit· live music connection
- Career context
- By 2002, Dave Matthews Band was riding high after their commercial breakthrough with 'Everyday' in 2001. 'Live at Folsom Field' captures the band's dynamic live performance style, showcasing their ability to blend intricate musicianship with crowd engagement during a peak period in their popularity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Phish· Widespread Panic· The String Cheese Incident
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Don't Drink the Water Start here 9:10
- 2 JTR 6:52
- 3 When the World Ends 3:46
- 4 So Right 6:15
- 5 Big Eyed Fish 7:08
- 6 Bartender 9:54
- 7 What You Are 6:56
- 8 Crash Into Me 5:57
- 9 Everyday 8:42
- 10 I Did It 3:44
- 11 If I Had It All 4:31
Disc 2
- 1 Angel 14:29
- 2 Warehouse 9:25
- 3 Recently 4:12
- 4 Digging a Ditch 5:33
- 5 What Would You Say 4:53
- 6 All Along the Watchtower 9:24
- 7 The Space Between 5:00
- 8 Stay (Wasting Time) 7:47
- 9 Two Step 9:18
- 10 Ants Marching 7:55
What to play next
The Central Park Concert
2003
Continues the live energy with a different setlist and atmosphere.
Busted Stuff
2002
Precedes the live experience with studio tracks that set the tone.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.