In January, Dave Matthews Band reunited with producer Steve Lillywhite, who had produced the group’s first three studio albums, and began work on a new record. Tim Reynolds, Jeff Coffin and Rashawn Ross joined them in the studio. The group debuted many of the new songs during an extensive summer run – DMB’s first tour since 2010. Away From The World was released on September 11, 2012 and the band celebrated with a show at the Hollywood Bowl the following evening. Rolling Stone praised it as the band’s “strongest album in years.” “Mercy,” the first single, was a No. 1 hit at Triple A radio and the video featured contributions from 14,334 fans.
The Live Trax series continued, with Vol. 21 and 22 bowing in 2012. DMB was featured on Jack Johnson and Friends – Best of Kokua Festival and contributed a track to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.
