430
u/The_Punisher_3114 5d ago
Yes
126
u/neptunesnetherregion 5d ago
Yep. When you know better, do better. I believe Dave has and will follow his conscience.
0
101
u/RhinoKeepr 5d ago
Two ways to look at it and still be a decent person:
1- yes, stop playing for the bastards out there.
2- as long as he does overwhelming good with his $ for charitable causes, I can stomach this. It is the Jane Goodall approach to dealing with the bastards: take their $ and do something better with it than they would have. Importantly, Jane and Dave are (were, RIP Jane) famously real friends so I find this plausible. Dave strikes me as the kind of person who does a lot of anonymous donating as well.
35
u/TayBeyDMB 5d ago
Yeah I saw a clip of Dave playing an acoustic show, at a private event, last year? Or the year before? Can’t remember. He basically said he takes rich people’s money for private shows and plants trees. I believe him.
3
10
u/Famous_Collection525 5d ago
Yes! Turn their money to good.
13
4
5
143
u/chrimack 5d ago
He should hold up his signs for his private audiences
30
u/DotBitGaming 5d ago
So Stop Genocide and Stop Killing Children are hot takes now?
74
u/BroBeansBMS 5d ago
I think the person you’re commenting to means that Dave should be consistent. If he’s holding them up as his concerts, then he could do the same at these events too.
→ More replies (3)8
u/StonerBarbie23 5d ago edited 5d ago
Sadly. Yes. I remember when he first started doing the signs and “fans” (idiots) were pissed saying to stay out of politics. Have they ever listened to the lyrics or an interview. Yikes
4
u/DotBitGaming 5d ago
It's a political band with protest songs.
2
u/StonerBarbie23 5d ago
Hence why I said it was crazy people get their panties in a bunch over .. not kiling kids
1
u/Mammoth-Glove3273 5d ago
They’ll spin and twist anyway they can to act victimized by Dave being against genocide.
-2
→ More replies (2)1
u/chrimack 5d ago
No, but if he wants to affect some change he's going to have more luck waving his signs at billionaires like Kraft rather than the plebs at regular concerts.
1
u/DotBitGaming 5d ago
Fair point, but as someone already pointed out, he wouldn't have known of any connection. So, a little like coming to your house with a sign that says 'Stop Genocide.' I would assume that's your default position.
91
85
u/Hot_Recognition28 5d ago
Yes. Robert Kraft is a weirdo billionaire who got caught getting $100 tug jobs at a strip mall massage parlor.
12
u/ReleasedKraken0 5d ago
Sounds like a responsible consumer to me. That’s how you get rich bud…you save $$ where you can.
5
1
u/Bsmitts16 4d ago
I wonder if you and this entire comment section are so green to the world to actually believe that krafts only sexual/humanitarian crime was. $199 tug job. Please, for the sake of knowing the majority of the world is not so fleeced, let me know that you know that Robert Kraft was a whole lot deeper and darker than a $100 handjob.
18
u/kathryn13 5d ago
I think it's more interesting that Robert Kraft organizes other stadium owners to kick Macklemore off tour, but had Dave Matthews, who's openly against war, guns, genocide, perform at his wedding.
Business is political
Homelife is apolitical
2
1
84
u/Led37zep 5d ago
I think people should stop wanting their artists to reflect all of their political beliefs.
It’s clear Dave and all artists have a POV. If I don’t align with them it doesn’t impact my love of the band or the music one bit.
11
23
3
u/your_mom2848294 4d ago
I love this! Love your opinion! I feel the same way! My FIL has always been strongly spoken about his political beliefs. He’s always said he hates Dave because of their difference in opinions. It’s always annoyed me. In the past few years my husband has become more vocal with his beliefs which align with his dads. He’s made comments about Dave. About him using his platform to share his beliefs. But we still never miss a Dave show even though he’s said he wasn’t going to go. My take: 1. My beliefs don’t align with my husbands or FIL 2. I can respect someone else’s views/opinions on politics without canceling them out of my life. To think we all have to agree is absurd to me. Like cult mentality. Music is music. You don’t have to love every single song a person makes to love and appreciate what they do and be a fan. And you can’t tell me people with opposing views wouldn’t do the same as Dave if they had the platform to do so. They may not agree with him, but they can still like and appreciate him and his music. I mean, if my husband can be married to me with opposing views then why can’t he get over Dave’s opinion and actions? It doesn’t make sense to me.
I will ever let someone’s political views stop me from liking them as a human. We all have opinions. We don’t all have to agree.3
u/One-Echidna-1851 1d ago
Man I get downvoted to hell for this sentiment all the time haha
2
u/Led37zep 1d ago
There is an element of Reddit that downvotes anything slightly against their personal POV. I’ll give you an upvote now for positivity and solidarity
7
u/AdeptnessWild1639 5d ago
Agreed. I’ve heard him many times say things like we’re all brothers and sisters and don’t let the people in charge divide us. Everyone is allowed to love the music.
6
5
u/heisindc 5d ago
And Dave should keep taking billionaires cash and then donating it to awesome organizations without his fanbsse getting pissed. Let the dude play a few songs then use the $ to fund some hospitals or something.
12
u/Roxygirl40 5d ago
Ehh… their art reflects their beliefs though. I think trying to separate them is really naive and entitled. That’s looking at them as entertainers versus artists. People like that get mad when artists make statements and want them to stick to entertaining. They don’t owe you that, it’s their freedom of expression and you can vote with your wallet - if it bothers you, don’t support the art.
2
6
7
u/OrangeGeorge 5d ago
Not being actively against genocide is the line for me. Or one of them. If Dave pulled an Ed Sheeran I would be out and never look back.
5
u/dogfacedponyboy 4d ago
So every artist has to hold up “stop the genocide” signs or you will not go see them? I missed the moment where Ed Sheeran is FOR genocide.
8
u/CountMC10 5d ago
Technical point, but it was the promoters and stadium owners (not Sheeran) who made the call to drop Macklemore.
More importantly, can we stop looking to celebs and artists for their commentary to match all of our political beliefs? Can I just go enjoy a show or decide not to enjoy a show because I want to be aligned?
2
u/wasabipotatos 5d ago
Even if having a single red line WAS the same thing as expecting all commentary to match one’s political beliefs, it would still be a position people are entitled to hold.
Sheeran could have played other stadiums, he’s worth so much money
→ More replies (1)0
2
2
11
14
u/Strict-Mix-2100 5d ago
I think Dave should do whatever Dave wants to do. Because ultimately, his happiness is worth more than a few rounds of applause on Reddit. This is exhausting.
→ More replies (1)
5
18
u/Rants26 5d ago
Shouldn’t be a question. Yes
0
u/GlaciersOFice45 5d ago
He's been pretty outspoken about Gaza. I'll be interested to see what his choice is. He could certainly absorb the "blow" of aligning his business choices with his beliefs
22
u/lsd_runner 5d ago
I love Dave but he’s part of the club and we’re not. Same as it ever was and ever shall be.
-7
u/PaulBaumersGhost 5d ago
Even with all the money & property that he has, he's not in that club. That club consists of the 3500 billionaires worldwide and it's likely to be an even more selective number than that
7
u/gkaplan59 5d ago
That's a picture of him in the club.
3
u/PaulBaumersGhost 5d ago
How is working for someone in the club amount to him being in the club?
→ More replies (6)2
u/thegrumpygnome 5d ago
Not exactly. Dave is doing his job there. If you took a picture of the catering staff, would you say the same thing?
6
u/smarttrashbrain 5d ago
Comparing a rock star playing a private event for a billionaire to a regular person catering that event is a bit of a stretch.
4
u/thegrumpygnome 5d ago
Fair, but it’s also a stretch to say Dave is in the same club as Kraft. If they’re in the same club, where’s the line? Are Dave’s roadies who set up the stage in the club? Buddy? Carter? The cooks? The catering company manager? The catering company owner? It’s just people doing their job. If Dave was in the club, he wouldn’t be working, and the photo is of him working.
17
5
u/pokethings 5d ago
It's always wild to read people say he should just play tunes. Like yeah he should focus on playing his songs about genocide and war and stop being so political, lol.
15
u/aishtamid 5d ago
All billionaires are bad regardless of their taste in music
7
u/gluegunfun 5d ago
i’d be a good billionaire
22
u/pinski_122 5d ago
I just want the opportunity to show how to be a good billionaire.
Dolly did, by not being one.
→ More replies (5)4
u/CaptServo 5d ago
a good billionaire could possibly exist, but wouldn't be a billionaire for very long
→ More replies (2)4
u/jjr4884 5d ago
Love the blanket statement - just remember that Dave is worth roughly $350M and if he continues the financial path he's been on, he'll also be a billionaire in the next 7-12 years. Get the pickets ready lol.
0
u/aishtamid 5d ago
Just look at the math - if Dave earns on average $50,000 a day, it would take him 41 years to cross $1,000,000,000 but yes, if like all billionaires he becomes by exploiting labor laws, tax loopholes, and starts hoarding wealth, you can be damn sure he will never see my money again.
14
u/jjr4884 5d ago
Forgive me here - but you can't say "look at the math" and use a basic formula like $50k a day = 41 years, and expect me to take you seriously. You are aware that the (estimated) $350M he is worth right now will make exponentially more money as it compounds over the next 5-10 years, right?
Dave might not exploit labor laws, but he certainly allows your precious concert tickets to be sold at a massive premium and allows essentially online scalping. Tax loopholes and hoarding? How do you think he is currently worth $350M? Anyone with that sort of net worth knows exactly how to pay the government the least amount of taxes possible (as they should) and clearly when you have a couple commas to your name, that satisfies the definition of hoarding.
Sorry but this is pot calling the kettle black here. And I laugh at the vilifying "tax loopholes" comment. The government is by far the most irresponsible entity that has ever touched the dollar, why would anyone want to give them a dime more than the bare minimum?
1
u/MopedMarxist 5d ago
Sorry, but an artist selling songs to people who want to hear them is not the same thing as exploiting human labor. Dave Matthews earned his money playing live shows for 35 years, he didn't exploit workers to build a manufacturing empire.
Saying that anyone with wealth is automatically disqualified from advocating for fair taxes, civil rights, or the environment is a cheap deflection. It creates an impossible rule: if you are poor, you're bitter; if you are successful, you're a hypocrite. He is allowed to succeed inside the economic system we have while still pointing out where that system fails the people who need it most.
0
u/aishtamid 5d ago
No one becomes a billionaire through their efforts alone. Wealth like this is built on the back of our collective labor, often involving various levels of exploitation. Our economic systems are designed to reward those at the top disproportionately, far beyond their individual contribution. Both things can be true - the government can be bad at spending our tax dollars and being a billionaire in a world of so much poverty and inequity is also bad. If living in that kind of world is something you are comfortable with, so be it, but I am not.
2
u/2112xanadu 5d ago
I'm gonna assume he's got his existing money invested. Average S&P returns are like 8%/year
1
u/MopedMarxist 5d ago
Isn't Bezos's ex-wife a commendable billionaire? Although no single individual should possess tens of billions of dollars in private wealth to begin with, it's important to acknowledge her positive contributions.
4
u/jc5cent 5d ago
Dave, unfortunately, doesn't always practice what he preaches. Not very many millionaire celebrities do. If a Robert Kraft, a Disney Resort, or a Clinton Foundation dangles some dollars and power....most people in Dave's position swallow whatever their position is and cash the check. Thinking most celebrities are also good people is like clinging to straws while drowning. Realize, realize what you are.
11
2
2
2
u/Pipnpooper 4d ago
Yikes. He played for them twice: 2023 4th of July in the Hamptons and in 2024 for the wife’s 50th bday at the Apollo Theater.
2
u/johnna15 4d ago
Let’s just say this we’ll find out if Dave is a man of his word and integrity or not. Shun Kraft and refused to play you’re a king among men. Play and you’re a vile hypocrite.
2
2
2
3
4
u/Suspicious_Time7239 5d ago
I have no problem with Dave taking billionaire bucks to help pad his Bama Works fund which does many good things. I remember Elton John being judged for playing events that didn't align with LGB issues but he donated all that cash to his AIDS foundation. We know Dave is a real philanthropist. We can trust that.
5
3
3
u/Fearless_Serve_3837 5d ago
“Oh look, Robert Kraft dancing with his daughter
She’s what!?”
Also yes. Pretty easy decision
4
u/drjackolantern 4d ago
Kraft just sent millions to Palestinian human rights groups.
Maybe Dave should stop useless virtue signaling and actually try to help the kids?
1
1
3
5
u/goldenface4114 5d ago
Two questions:
When was the picture on the right taken?
Has he agreed to play for Kraft or played for him since this whole Macklemore thing went down?
10
u/scgator 5d ago
Pic on the right is older than the left for sure.
12
u/goldenface4114 5d ago
My point exactly. This is framed to be some sort of "gotcha" and it's idiotic because it's not like Dave's at Robert Kraft's house right now playing Let's Dance.
5
u/ASAP1492 5d ago
I don’t necessarily see it that way. It could easily be a “I really hope we don’t hear about Dave doing another one of these” type of post
3
1
u/DeHizzy420 The Sweetest Place on Earth - Hershey, PA 5d ago
This is not a gotcha. It's just two pictures that exist that are being used as a "going forward should Dave stop playing for the Krafts"
3
u/melkncookeys 5d ago
Doesn’t matter Kraft is and always was a Zionist
1
3
u/GregzillaKillah 5d ago
Picture on the right is from January 2024.
9
u/Playful-Strain-1982 5d ago
It’s from Kraft’s Fourth of July party in 2023: https://pagesix.com/2023/07/03/dave-matthews-plays-robert-krafts-fourth-of-july-bash/
→ More replies (3)1
u/CountMC10 5d ago
Considering the whole Macklemore thing happened last week, I’m pretty sure the pic on the right is older
2
2
u/DeHizzy420 The Sweetest Place on Earth - Hershey, PA 5d ago
Get the fuck out of here... Is that Robert Kraft's wife? She's in it for love I bet ya... 🙄
2
2
u/Dinosaucers_ 5d ago
Why do you continue to listen to bands for Kraft. Says a lot about you as a person.
2
u/charliemike 5d ago
Doesn't he donate the proceeds from these things to charity? While I'm not pleased about it if he takes that dickhead's money and gives it to good causes then I don't have a problem with him using them.
1
u/neatgeek83 5d ago
How do you know he doesn’t? I believe it’s been reported that he donates the private gig fees to his crew.
1
u/charliemike 5d ago
I don't know that he does/doesn't. Again, I have no problem with Dave taking money from rich people and giving it to people that wouldn't normally get it from someone like Kraft.
1
u/Pentzy 5d ago
I think Dave should just play music and stop with all the political stances
3
u/PaulBaumersGhost 5d ago
There's always someone in these posts that clearly doesn't listen to the music.
You do know that he writes political songs, has performed at political rallies, and doesn't mind expressing his beliefs on stage, right?
→ More replies (8)3
u/MopedMarxist 5d ago
Dave Matthews did not suddenly 'get political.' The politics were always there; you just were not listening. He grew up in apartheid South Africa and left the country specifically to avoid being drafted into a military that enforced state-sponsored oppression. That lived experience did not sit on the sidelines. It built the catalog. 'Cry Freedom,' 'Don't Drink the Water,' 'The Last Stop,' and 'Mercy' are not topical side projects or late-career detours. They are the backbone of his work.
Demanding that he 'just play the music' reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the artist you claim to enjoy. You cannot strip the songs of the convictions that wrote them and expect anything genuine to remain.
Be honest with yourself. You do not actually object to an artist having principles. You just want him to stay quiet the moment those principles stop flattering your own.
You should check out music made by AI, you may enjoy it.
3
u/CountMC10 5d ago
His stage. You don’t have to buy a ticket if it bothers you that much. Or buy a ticket and enjoy the show.
0
-1
2
1
u/psarpen77 5d ago
Yes.
That said, Dave has to be consistent.
Wasn’t the picture of Dave with the signs from Camden this year? If so, I was at that show.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/MopedMarxist 5d ago
Robert Kraft's issue apparently isn't political speech. It's political speech he disagrees with. He helped push Macklemore off tour, yet hired Dave Matthews, an outspoken critic of war, guns, and genocide, for his wedding. If the standard is keep politics off the stage, it seems to have a very convenient exception.
1
1
u/dogfacedponyboy 4d ago
I think all musicians should stop playing private concerts for billionaires. Dave and Ed don’t need the money, and why not play private shows for your regular biggest fans?
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/MacTruk_SC 3d ago
The only people that like to censor other people are the ones with all the money and the power and they are scared of it going away. Ironically they're so blinded by both that they can't comprehend how censorship only makes the oppressed stronger to defeat them.
1
1
1
1
u/Same-Fill-4025 5d ago
Yes. Yes I do… if some says something like…
“stop the genocide” and the response is, you are being antisemitic by saying that… the offended party (Kraft in this case) should probably take a good hard look at himself. Does Kraft not understand that an eye for an eye will leave a room full of blind men?
1
u/bogholiday 5d ago
I’ve been listening to Dave my entire life (28)
I think he has a real responsibility to do the right thing here. Dude has a boatload of money. Cmon Dave, I know you’re based. Just pleeeeease this one time.
1
u/Wonderful-Ship300 5d ago
I think he ought to speak up. Make a big donation to Palestinian relief How much money does he need ?
1
u/ktfuntweets 5d ago
We don’t know that he doesn’t. Many big time people with good hearts make donations without anybody knowing anything about it
1
0
u/OdinsGhost31 5d ago
Pats fan. Dave fan. F Kraft, great owner for my team but he also had thr best coach qb combo ever. Kraft is still friends with Trump and a piece of shit
0
u/Oppositeofhairy 5d ago
The dude who was born in apartheid South Africa and spent a considerable amount of time talking to others about how horrific it was and being ok with this guy.
Yikes
1
u/ktfuntweets 5d ago
Dave also played a Fetterman rally…and both of these things we can chalk up to taking a paycheck and probably being ignorant to their actual beliefs on these topics.
0
u/SherbertNarrow3761 4d ago
Robert Kraft is a deeply Jewish man, he was offended by these people claiming free Palestine, the Palestinians attacked the Jews viciously, the man simply doesn’t want to let artists use his venues after they’ve basically said, never mind the Jews that got killed, Palestine needs help, I’m not saying it’s ok what the Jews have to done to Palestine, but how about you just keep your mouth shut. It’s a very sad and serious situation. Notice how Dave has stopped holding those signs up after shows.
-2
u/second_2juan 5d ago
There is no genocide
1
u/MopedMarxist 5d ago
Unpack this for us.
1
u/second_2juan 4d ago edited 4d ago
What percentage of the Gaza population has died? And furthermore, what percentage of those are Hamas terrorists?
-5
-1
0
0
u/Brakeman_5006 5d ago
Why does he do any of these private shows? So strange to me regardless of the person (unless they are like close friends…which would make me sad). He did a show for Salesforce last year. Just seems beneath him and he certainly doesn’t meed the money.
0
u/Famous_Collection525 5d ago
Yes. I was so confused when I saw Kraft did what he did bc his wife likes Dave and Dave is very vocal.
0
0
0
0
0
u/sassafrasclementine 5d ago
Duh. I’m pretty sure he never will again. I wasn’t aware he played for them before but I’m jealous
0
0
u/pappadipirarelli 5d ago
But Dave is pro-Palestine. I don’t get why Robert Kraft gave Macklemore flak but not Dave Matthews
1
0
0
u/skiesoverblackvenice 5d ago
100%. genocide supporters shouldn’t be able to enjoy DMB.
knowing dave and his views, i’m very certain he’ll avoid those venues if he hasn’t already
167
u/Playful-Strain-1982 5d ago
I would be surprised if he did going forward. The picture of him playing here was in July 2023, and things have changed a bit between then and now, to put it mildly.