Dave Matthews Band Welcome Cory Henry for “Lying in the Hands of God” at Kia Forum

Dave Matthews, photo by Bill Kelly

Last night, Aug. 22, Dave Matthews Band touched down on the West Coast for their long-awaited return to Inglewood, Calif’s Kia Forum. Onstage at the iconic Los Angeles arena for the first time since 1998, the long-running jam septet delivered a performance worth waiting nearly three decades for, featuring an enticing mix of certified classics and the many hits that they’ve rolled out more recently. The evening’s highlight came with a guest spot from Cory Henry, whose two-track sit-in marked his first crossing with Matthews and his tried and true group.

Matthews and his ace ensemble commenced Friday’s performance with the 2009 Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King b-side “You & Me,” presented for the first time in the opening slot with an exhilarating and infectious rhythm. The bandleader, accompanied as always by drummer Carter Beauford, bassist Stefan Lessard, trumpeter Rashawn Ross, guitarist Tim Reynolds, keyboardist Buddy Strong and all-around wind expert Jeff Coffin, proceeded with surther summer tour staples like “So Right,” “Stolen Away on 55th & 3rd” and “Raven” before arriving at an expansive “Crush,” the first setlist inclusion that also figured into DMB’s 1998 Forum debut.

At the set’s midpoint, Ross peeled off as the band tore into a race pace “Say Goodbye,” then rejoined to add extra oomph to a bombastic “Madman’s Eyes.” A tight quartet without wind instruments offered the beloved 2002 Busted Stuff standout “Grace is Gone” before Beauford’s unmistakable drum intro forecasted a dramatic juxtaposition with “Ants Marching.” The evening’s energy reached a head after Matthews’ biggest track, when the artist introduced a surprise sit-in from Henry, the massively acclaimed fusion keyboardist best known for his work with Snarky Puppy. Henry brought his talents to treatments of “Lying in the Hands of God” and “Tripping Billy,” then left the band to close on a segued sprint through “So Much to Say,” “Anyone Seen the Bridge” and “Too Much,” followed by an encore of “Take all Day” and “Warehouse.”

Dave Matthews Band will return to the stage tonight for a follow-up at Mountain View, Calif.’s Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View. The last lap of the band’s summer tour will continue with a stop in Stateline, Nev., on Tuesday. Aug. 26 before their annual return to George, Wash.’s The Gorge Amphitheater for Aug. 29-31. Find tickets and more information on the group’s full 2025 tour plans at davematthewsband.com/tour.

Watch a fan-recorded video of Henry’s sit-in below, and read on for the full setlist from Friday night.

Dave Matthews Band

Kia Forum – Inglewood, Calif.

8/22/15

Set: You & Me, So Right, Recently, Stolen Away on 55th & 3rd, Raven, Crush, Do You Remember, Squirm, Say Goodbye, Madman’s Eyes, Grace Is Gone, Ants Marching, Lying in the Hands of God*, Tripping Billies*, You Might Die Trying, So Much to Say » Anyone Seen the Bridge » Too Much

Encore: Take All Day, Warehouse

Notes:* w/ Cory Henry