Dispatch is an indie-folk / indie-roots band based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and originally from Middlebury, Vermont. Since their founding in 1996, they have been well known for their electrifying live performances and music that blends the sounds of rock, reggae, ska, folk, and funk to create a unique and distinctive sound. Since there founding they have continued to release new music, however it is their live performances where they shine.  A concert experience is a collaborative celebration and experience where the band has as much fun interacting with their loyal fans as the audience has.  In addition to the concert experience, the band has official “Patch Pre-Party” at select concerts where fans gather, commune, and can purchase exclusive band merchandise and band-inspired and labeled beers.  It is easy to understand why this band has such a devout and joyful following.

Over the years, the band has evolved through lineup changes, benefit concerts, charitable work, hiatuses, band breakups, and the evolution of their (and our) lives. The band broke up in 2004 in a well-documented Last Dispatch; however, they did perform twice after they officially broke up. One of these performances makes them forever connected to Washington, DC. On June 12th, 2009, they played an acoustic show at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., at the request of the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. In 2011, founding members Chad Stokes and Brad Corrigan reunited and have been touring ever since. In 2021, they released their eighth studio album, Break Our Fall, and in 2023 they released their sixth live album, Live from Boston Woods.

A performance by Dispatch is nothing short of an energetic and unforgettable journey for the audience as the band weaves their way through their original music and integrates some covers into their performance to the delight of fans.  The only thing that could possibly make a performance by Dispatch more spectacular, unforgettable, and energetic is the musical energy that is present with the full backing of the National Symphony Orchestra in its entirety. At the Wolf Trap performance, Steve Reineke of The New York Pops conducted the orchestra.

Reineke introduced this performance as the “world premiere” collaboration of a symphony and Dispatch.  After this brief introduction, the band walked on stage to a thunderous and standing ovation. Dispatch would start the performance with a beautifully orchestrated version of Windylike.  The newly formulated composition of this song, like others during the evening, would take an already incredible song and add a magical dimension to it.  Throughout the evening the sounds of  “Symphonic Dispatch” would enhance the sounds, emotions, and euphoria of Dispatch songs.  As you looked into the audience during Windylike, you could see tears of joy and emotion wash over the crowd.

The honor and privilege of performing alongside a full orchestra was not lost on Dispatch. After the fifth song, "Rice Water", Chad Stokes would take a moment to tell the audience what a privilege it had been to perform alongside so many talented musicians and how truly important the performing arts are. As the orchestra left the stage after "Flag", Stokes would go on to say how intimidating it was to perform alongside sixty musicians of such high caliber and would then go on to thank all the music teachers and teachers in the audience and everywhere. Stokes would add that it has been a tough few years for teachers, and he did not know what the world would do without them.  

Dispatch would continue for a mini acoustic set before the orchestra returned, which included fan favorites like Out Loud, Bang Bang, Flying Horses, and managed to embed the lyrics of the Grateful Dead's Friend of the Devil and Credence Clearwater Rivival's Out My Backdoor during Bang Bang.

After the orchestra returned to the stage, the collective ensemble continued to bathe the Filene Center with the sound of soothing symphonic subtleties and crashing crescendos. 

With a stellar performance complete, one could only wonder what other magical moment Dispatch could manifest. As the orchestra started to perform the opening note, audience members looked at one another with looks of disbelieving joy as the National Symphony Orchestra began playing Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne. The Filene Center erupted in cheers as sixty-plus musicians were in full flight, encouraging us to board the crazy train to musical euphoria. For six minutes, the voices of seven thousand people echoed throughout the venue, accompanying one of the most enthusiastic symphonic experiences one could imagine. Sustaining the same level of enthusiasm, the band ended the night with fan favorite "Elias."

If you have yet to experience seeing Dispatch perform live or you have not seen them perform recently - we cannot recommend seeing this band perform enough. A performance by Dispatch is nothing short of an energetic and unforgettable journey for the audience, and the performance at Wolf Trap was no different.

While Dispatch does come to our region frequently, the National Symphony Orchestra is truly a treasure in our own backyard. We cannot convey the energy that this orchestra brings to any performance and adds to the artist or movie they are supporting. In early August, the NSO will perform again at Wolf Trap, accompanying Hilary Hahn and Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, and will host Ben Folds when he comes to the Kennedy Center in September. 

We look forward to seeing Dispatch return to the DC Metro Area in the coming years and recommend seeing this band perform when they come through your area.  We would also like to humbly ask that they consider releasing a seventh live album, Live From Wolf Trap with The National Symphony Orchestra, to fully document this incredible night of music and their transcending "Symphonic Dispatch" sound.