@Jaybp30 said:

Why can't opinions and reviews be expressed with greater shades of grey? It seems people are either of the opinion that a show was the best ever because they were there or pretty lousy because there weren't multiple ground breaking 15+ minute jams. To say there is no room to take the setting of the show, the meaning of a show (especially NYE on the 30th anniversary) into consideration is ludicrous. You cannot listen to the Fall's Hartford Rock and Roll without considering for a minute that Lou Reed had just passed away. I understand everyone has their own opinion and they are entitled to it but I find it hard to believe that with the entire history of this band, setting and circumstance doesn't have some sway. It works both ways though. I was at the last 4 NYE shows and I think that for at least a couple my overall opinion was probably brought down by the fact that on a special occasional such as NYE the playing wasn't as exceptional as I had hoped. To me you can +1 or -1 a show on different aspects of it. Great Light, +1. 30th anniversary on NYE +1, awesome 2nd set +1, less than stellar jamming outside of Light -1.

Not every show is going to have some special meaning but to deny specialness to that the few that do seems unfair. There aren't many that have much meaning beyond the show itself. This one did. And I am don't really agree they played all originals due to peoples Wingsuit reaction. I mean, maybe they did but I don't think they come on here and read what we say. I think they thought "hey, how cool would it be to celebrate our 30 years than by playing 9 sets of all originals without a repeat. How many bands can do that?". That in itself is pretty awesome.

Even those that say they only really care about the music would find that if they really thought about it, they could probably think of a couple really special shows to them that might not have been A+ playing but they still elevate for one reason or another.

Excellent thoughts. I agree completely.