Dave Matthews closes out Bonnaroo

The Dave Matthews Band was an appropriate choice to headline the last night of Bonnaroo, with the band’s popularity being so widespread. It has the commercial appeal the festival so desperately wants and is a guaranteed earner (Dave Matthews Band was the most profitable touring band of the past decade). However, Dave Matthews also appeals to the jam-based crowd that Bonnaroo used to cater to.

It was obvious that Matthews was pretty stoned based on the strangeness of some of his audience exchanges, but no quality was sacrificed in the music. The band was just as tight and muscular as ever, while Matthews’ voice was in strong form.

More than a quarter of the concert was devoted to songs from the group’s most recent album, “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.” Often including references to their late saxophonist, LeRoi Moore, the songs displayed an unusual emotional depth from a band that usually likes a laid-back feel.

Featuring Tim Reynolds on electric guitar, the performances were more aggressive than a single acoustic guitar allows, but also more filled out. An additional saxophonist and trumpet player were added to the band for the occasion, which helped to fill out the arrangements. Among the horn players, saxophonist Jeff Coffins was most impressive, even playing two saxophones at once at some points. Although little more than a gimmick, it was still fun to watch.

For his encore, Dave Matthews entered alone and played Neil Young’s “The Needle and the Damage Done.” For Matthews, who can sometimes be overly boisterous, the song was a welcome bit of humility. The remainder of the show was a cover of “All Along the Watchtower,” which morphed into “Stairway to Heaven” near the end.

The show was an exciting and fitting end to this year’s Bonnaroo festival.