Thanks for the review, Dianna. I kinda wish you had elaborated more on how Phish "showed up to their own tour" during this show, because after listening on the LivePhish app, I agree. It's not like they were "phoning it in" at all up to this show - there are many highlights: a LOT of bustouts, better vocal harmonies, solid attention to old arrangements, debuts, even some Type II/4th phase action - but just an overall lack of cohesiveness. It could be a number of factors: the band getting used to the new lights (which move lightning quick and have so many different variations), their pared-down touring schedule, maybe changes in sound equipment of personnel, or the overall attunement and attentiveness of the band members - in particular Trey, and not saying to make him scapegoat, but as de facto bandleader and barometer of the band's energy level, performances can really fluctuate depending on his condition.
Not Mann 1 Set 2 tho. At some point during the Fuego (a nice nod to the 7/8 Mann Fuego, intended or not), the band just CAME ALIVE and were firing on all cylinders, and did not stop until "Quinn". I was driving listening to it and I felt the change. It instantly improved my mood and traffic seemed to just disappear! It was profound.
I was at Xcel and Klipsch (Deer Creek) and did not hear the band "lock in" quite like this. Wrigley Night 2 was closer to this. The tour's been good, but if they keep bringing the fire like at Mann the first night, it'll be MONSTER. And I know it will.