A Dave Matthews Band concert is never just a concert; rather, it’s an all-night event complete with tailgating, singalongs, surprise setlists, and, at The Pavilion at Star Lake, a little patience in the parking lot. Whether you’re a longtime fan chasing another unforgettable show or experiencing the band live for the very first time, a bit of preparation goes a long way at this iconic venue. Before you pack your blanket and head out on July 24 to Dave Matthews’ visit to Pittsburgh, here’s everything you need to know about parking, tickets, bag policies, the best spots on the lawn, where to eat and drink, and how to make the most of your night under the stars with the speakers blasting.
Going to See Dave Matthews Band at The Pavilion at Star Lake? Here’s Your Guide to Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Parking
We’re putting parking first and foremost since this concert is at The Pavilion at Star Lake. This venue is famously known for its terrible parking situation — in other words, there’s one way in and one way out. Now, one of the good parts is that general parking is completely free. You simply just pull in and park! But, there are options to upgrade your parking, and we’re going to recommend them for this venue. The Premium Parking pass at Star Lake puts you right at the exit lane so you can simply hop in your car and leave quickly rather than get stuck in the long lines. There are also Early Tailgate passes available that will get you in before general parking, securing a closer spot than normal.
If you’d rather not dish out extra for parking, make a game plan. If you get lucky enough to park at the lot nearest to the turn-off from the main road, you will have a bit of a walk down and up a hill to the gates. Though, getting out is certainly easier than being stuck around the other side of the venue (where most late parkers will be).
A.D.A Parking
There is also accessible parking for those with A.D.A and handicap passes, but this is on a “first come, first serve” basis. If you come early, your A.D.A parking will be directly to the right of the left side gate. If you come later, you may be directed to the lot near the main roadway, and then you can take a golf cart transport to the main gate. Be warned, though — the line for the golf cart transport can get lengthy after the show.
Overall Tips
Let’s be real though, it’s Star Lake. You’re going to end up waiting in a line of cars whether it’s on the way in or on the way out. Our best advice? Make the most of it! Bring snacks and drinks to enjoy while you wait for the traffic to clear. We’ve even seen guests take out mini grills and start making hot dogs. Card games are a great time passer, and even a short nap can be beneficial if it’s been a long day. At the end of the day, you just need to have patience and know you will make it out… even if it’s past midnight.
One last tip is to always write down what row your car is in and what gate you enter the pavilion through. Trust us. At night, in deep crowds, and after a few tallboys, everything starts to look the same.
Rideshare and Transportation
The one way to avoid most of the traffic of Star Lake is to take advantage of rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. The venue has a specific drop-off and pick-up lane for rideshare guests just a short walk down and up the hill to the gates. But, if you don’t want to pay the rideshare app prices, there’s also Rally Rideshare that’s a charter bus full of concert-goers with transportation to the venue and back. No worries about parking, and it lets you indulge as you please.
Purchasing Tickets
There are still a handful of pavilion seats and a bunch of general admission lawn tickets still available for Dave Matthews Band on July 24 through Ticketmaster. Currently, a lawn ticket will run you $69.50 while under the pavilion ranges from $125 to $189.50 with verified resale tickets anywhere from $113.05 for seats to $590.24 for pit. While Ticketmaster has verified resale, you can also check out trustworthy sites like StubHub and SeatGeek which both have money-back guarantees if you don’t receive your tickets in time.
Bag Policy
In terms of bags, at Star Lake, you can only bring in small clutches, wristlets, or fanny packs no bigger than 6”x 9”. You can also opt for a clear plastic bag that’s no bigger than 12″x12″x6”. Within these bags (or without them), you can bring in nonprofessional cameras, food in the plastic ziplock baggie, a sealed water bottle up to a gallon in size or an empty plastic bottle, blankets, and umbrellas under 3′ in diameter.
Door and Show Times
The doors/gates for Star Lake will open at 6 p.m., but early parking opens at 3 p.m. General parking opens at 4:30 p.m. so that you have time to tailgate and get into the venue. There are no openers for Dave Matthews Band, so the show goes on promptly at 7:30 p.m. and takes you through a journey long into the night. Expect around a two and a half hour long show from these skilled artists no matter if it’s rain or shine.
The Setlist
There’s something to understand about a Dave Matthews Band concert: it really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, because you’ll never see this exact setlist again.
One of the best parts of Dave Matthews Band having no openers is that you get over two straight hours of their discography. This gives them time to play a variety of music, sometimes even hitting songs from 10 different albums in one night. With that in mind, you can always expect to hear music off of Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, Crash, Before These Crowded Streets, and Everyday. Of course, Dave Matthews brings his powerful covers to the setlist too, taking on songs like Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel most recently.
While the setlist changes for every show, some songs that are nearly guaranteed are American Baby, Warehouse, and #41. Who knows, you’ll probably even get lucky and hear an exclusive tour premiere or cover that has never been done before.
Navigating the Venue
To start, The Pavilion at Star Lake is completely cashless. They do have reverse ATMs that you can use, but be ready with a card no matter what stand you go up to (yes, this includes merch).
The next thing to note is that the venue splits up its gates by East, West, and South. The East gate is best for you if you’re parked or sitting on the left side. The West is best for those with lawn seats, as you’ll come out at the top of the hill that the lawn is on. Then, the South gate is best for those parked or sitting to the right side. But, no matter where you enter, you can get to the other side of the venue easily by following the walking paths above the hill or between the lawn and pavilion seating. There are bathrooms to the left, right, and up the hill in the back. No matter where you are, you’re close to amenities.
Tips for General Admission Lawn and More
If you’re looking to rent a lawn chair, blanket, or are trying to upgrade your seats, you’ll want to head to the rental huts that are also available to the left, right, and up the hill. Not to mention, there are food stands nearby so you can grab food and drink at your leisure.
For those with lawn seats, plan to arrive by the time gates open if you want your choice of a spot. Though, if we’re honest, any spot in the lawn is a gem thanks to the hill that lets you see over the people in front of you without disrupting the people behind you. Bring a blanket if you want to save your spot; otherwise, have a seat in the grass and kick back till the show begins.
We will warn you though, Star Lake is at an incline basically everywhere — so, if you’re bringing a friend or family in a wheelchair, take it slow, ask for help if needed, and try to come in through either the East or South gates rather than coming down the bigger hill.
Where to Eat and Drink
You’ll find your usual concert concessions at Star Lake, but there is some variety to their choices. Located all around the outside circle of the venue, you can choose from Mosh Burger, Rebel Hen Crispy Chicken, Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop, Koko’s Bavarian, Jade Lane Dumplings, Tacos Del Centro, frozen ice cream treats, and snacks as a grab-and-go option. Then, refresh yourself with Liquid Death Mountain Water, Jolene Coffee, Shaker Cup Cocktails, non-alcoholic Riffreshers, ColdRush Shaved Ice, as well as Subzero Frozen Drinks. There really is something for everyone from picky kiddos to more upscale adults. We’ve even seen wine available at certain bars around the venue if that’s your beverage of choice.
It is worth noting that lines throughout Star Lake vary. If you see a super long line, sometimes it’s worth checking the other side of the venue to see if there’s a better option. Each part of the venue also has its own unique dining spots, so it’s worth taking a little walk to see what piques your interest. Not to mention, beverage vendors with carts of water, beer, and seltzers walk all throughout the grounds for quick transactions.
Shake Up a Dave Matthews Band Cocktail Before the Show
The Crush Cocktail is everything we love about Dave Matthews in one. Bacardi White Rum and a homemade blueberry simple syrup match with Triple Sec, lemon juice, and fresh pomegranate seeds.
Plus, while you Dave Matthews Band lovers are in Pittsburgh, celebrate the concert by toasting with one of the city’s best craft beers at local breweries.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo From Dave Matthews Band
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