I wasn't going to review any of these shows until the run was over, but this show absolutely blew every last one of my expectations out of the water. The first set was very good - highlights were the funked-out Train, a nice My Friend, and a rollercoaster ride Antelope that served very nicely as a centerpiece Set 1 style jam. But that second set - man, the guys must've packed their spelunking gear, because they went *deep* in the DWD and especially the Carini, the darkness of 2003 tempered by the brilliant multifaceted jamming style of 2012. Number Line was a bit jarring (although a breather after that much gnarliness was probably appreciated by everyone), but they could've played Call Me Maybe after that Carini jam and I wouldn't have cared one jot. Slave made a great set closer (a really good version, as well), and Hood found a glorious and beautiful peak in the encore slot.

Hyperbole be damned - 12/30's a sacred date in Phish's canon, and you can put this bad boy right up there with the rest of 'em. The run's already been made with this show; NYE's got its work cut out. Bring it on!