Dave Matthews Quotes

I really love live performing!

I'd rather be entertained and go to a show and watch a drummer and have somebody that makes me actually smile. So I don't judge drummers based on their technical ability; I judge them based on the overall package and what they bring to the music they're part of.

As rewarding as a good film role can be, there is just nothing like getting up on a stage and taking an audience for a ride.

Every time I see a live performance of something, I'm like, 'I want to be doing that!'

I do my best creating on stage.

The interesting thing about improvisation is you're making something up in front of the audience. Now music helps you out a little bit because you have an instrument that'll separate you from the audience.

I would rather do a play because it's instantaneous. You go on the stage, and you know whether it's happening or not. Somebody asked me 'What is acting?' And I said, 'Acting is listening.' And if you ain't listening, nobody's listening.

Acting is exciting. It is different every time you do it.

One thing changes every evening: It's the audience, and I'm working my magic. I'm always learning from it.

Being a dancer and a singer gave me some advantage with regards to having a stage presence. I always take my timing from the audience because they are half of my act.

I've always enjoyed acting. When we were younger, my sisters and I would put on plays for our parents.

I don't get bored at all while acting.

In the studio is one thing, but playing live is the important part, I think.

You see, when I go on stage I perform with just a guitar and you have to have very strong material to hold an audience from getting bored or restless. One strong way of doing that is the story because everybody will listen to a story.

When we're on tour, we try to keep our voices sharp. We get up there and put on the best show we can.

Studio work is very methodical, while live concerts must be very spontaneous.

For me, it's more about the musicianship - focusing on the guitar, playing with my band, rather than just going out and doing what anyone my age can do with backup dancers and a track.

I love working in theater because it's such a challenge to have the audience right there in front of you. If you mess up, you have to figure it out and keep going. There's no take two! I do hope to return to the stage someday. I really love to sing.

I grew up going to bluegrass festivals, and there were performers who got on stage and didn't say much. They would stand there, stone-faced, picking. I could appreciate that, but it taught me that a little showmanship and some personality adds so much to a performance.

Traditionally, the role of the bass player was just to keep things simple and solid, so it's really a special thing when you can get a player that can actually bring in a lot of presence and also a visual presence, too.

The way I do that is to keep coming up with good songs and when I do a concert, I make sure I give a good performance. It's not rocket science.

My favorite aspect of music is the performance part!

Some guys like myself, we like to play off the crowd.

Theatre demands different muscles and different aspects of one's personality.

Whether you're on TV or on the stage, you have to work hard to stay fresh, real, and full of energy. You can't settle back. You always have to stay on your toes.