@TheManMulcahy said:

Great review. And though I do agree with easywind11, and wonder about the "playing from a list vs. pre-planned set flow" you discussed, from where I was I standing it was a very good show. It'll take a good couple of relistens on my part, but it's not too often these days I see an entire venue, from the floor to the rafters, actually dancing and gettin' down nearly the entire length of the show. Looking out onto the sea of people, it was a true writhing mass of grooving fans for both sets (except for maybe Show Of Life). No dead spots in the stands with folks just observing for several songs, etc. That entire place was gettin' down, for every song. And I think that says a lot. One can dissect & critique the length or depth of jams, song placement and the like (for good reason), but the energy under that roof last night was just amazing. I'm sure they'll top it tonight and/or tomorrow, but I for one felt that was a sight to behold last night.

I think that speaks more to the crowd at MSG than the show itself. Take 12/4/09 for example, the crowd was drowning out the PA at points during First Tube. Absolutely mind blowing energy, for a show most people think was a bit sloppy overall. I think your observation is a good one though, and at the end of the day, if you had fun at the show does anything else really matter?