on august 1, 2007, the band kicked off their annual summer tour in mansfield, massachusetts. the tour was shorter than most dave matthews band summer tours, with only 37 shows. this tour saw the live debut of songs that the band had been working on in the studio earlier in the year with mark batson, including "#27", "cornbread", as well as the dark and unique "a dream so real." "a dream so real" would only be played once after the 2007 summer tour, at the saratoga performing arts center on june 21, 2008, featuring matthews playing keyboard. supporting acts for the tour included toots and the maytals, the roots, and robert randolph and the family band.