MANASSAS -- The Dave Matthews Band is the Jimmy Buffett of the summer for the under-50 set.

Trekking to see Matthews and the boys live, outdoors, is a ritual as much about gathering in the parking lot to tailgate with friends as it is hearing the band jam through its 15-year catalog.

Many of these people didn't even seem to care -- though they should -- that they spent more time getting into Nissan Pavilion (about 90 minutes) and out (at least two hours for most) than hearing the band perform a 2½-hour set Saturday night.

That's devotion. And inexcusable traffic logistics.

But even DMB treats its summer shed shows differently than winter arena dates. The set lists dig deeper, the band has an expansive stage to wander and Matthews, shiny with perspiration by the third song, has reason to arch a half-moon eyebrow, slide his mouth into a grin and drawl, "It's a little bit hot tonight. I sweat even when it's cold outside. It's completely disgusting."

Though the rest of this live money-making machine -- violinist Boyd Tinsley, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer Carter Beauford and saxophonist Leroi Moore -- are equally necessary to the foundation of DMB's unusual sound that amalgamates pop, folk, rock and even some jazz, Matthews remains its captain.

When he unleashed one of those yawning yells during "Dreaming Tree," the massive audience of close to 25,000 reacted as if Moses had just re-parted the sea. And his endearingly goofy dance moves during the explosive "You Might Die Trying" actually appeared to be a visceral reaction to the music -- even if they were a cross between the Running Man and Eminem.

But what has always been admirable about DMB is that even with Matthews its de facto CEO, he's never been a spotlight hog.

The band's longtime musical friend, Tim Reynolds, is a staple on this summer tour, and Matthews gleefully looked to him to burn out a slide guitar solo on "Corn Bread," a new(ish) song also burnished by a funky fiddle riff from Tinsley and one of Beauford's impeccable grooves.

Matthews did take the stage with his acoustic guitar mostly alone for the "The Space Between," the band's whispering hit ballad that Matthews, who halted his frequent vocal tics and yelps to sing the song tenderly, said he hadn't performed in a long time.

But interestingly, while the guys -- also joined by brass player Rashawn Ross -- stake their reputation on those indulgent jams, it was their cover of Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" that provided the musical highlight of the show, probably because it was the most cohesive song performed. Reynolds even massaged his guitar effects to ably ape the processed woodwinds on the original.

Surprising moments such as that, along with the admirable musicianship displayed by Tinsley during a furious, zippy-fingered electric violin solo during "Louisiana Bayou" and the sight of Matthews behind an electric piano for the dark, sad "Out of My Hands" are what keep the die-hards returning.

And the more familiar -- the exhaustive jam during "Ants Marching" and the segue from the horn-burping "So Much to Say" to "Too Much" so seamless it sounded like the same song -- is what makes the casual fan feel the evening was worthwhile. Even with all of the headaches.

Dave Matthews Band is up next at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at Virginia Beach Amphitheater. Tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or (804) 262-8100.

Contact Melissa Ruggieri, (804) 649-6120, mruggieri@timesdispatch.com