Dave Matthews Band played to a capacity crowd at Richmond’s new Allianz Amphitheater on Tuesday night, delivering the venue’s biggest show since it opened earlier this year. Roads around the Riverfront were closed off as thousands of fans packed into the area, creating a festival-like atmosphere that extended well beyond the gates.
The show wasn’t just a win for the band—it was a major boost for nearby businesses. Restaurants like Penny Lane Pub and Chicano’s Cocina Bar & Grill, both located near the 5th Street entrance, saw a significant increase in foot traffic, with packed patios and long lines well before showtime. Other businesses in the area also reported strong sales throughout the evening. If you’re planning to attend tonight’s second performance, consider grabbing your drink or dinner early, lines are likely to be just as long.
Photographer Joey Wharton was on hand to capture scenes from the show, both on stage and in the crowd.
For Those Who Don’t Know: Dave Matthews and Richmond Go Way Back
In the early 1990s, Dave Matthews Band performed regularly at The Flood Zone in Richmond’s Shockoe Slip—sometimes playing multiple times a week. Those shows helped build the foundation for what would become one of the most successful touring acts in American music. Several tracks from their debut live album, Remember Two Things, were recorded during those Richmond performances.
But despite that early connection, it’s been nearly 30 years since DMB last played the city. Tuesday night’s show marked a long-overdue return to a place that helped shape the band’s beginnings.
Read our article about the announcement HERE.
Photos by Joey Wharton
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