Like many in Denver last weekend, I was convinced to make the trip after hearing summer tour. I made the call after Super Ball, but it took UIC to bring more of my buddies to town.

I experienced a lot more of the pre-show butterflies than normal. For some unexplained reason, I was much more pumped for this show than usual. The Sloth only fueled my fire.

Our area of page side started chattering after the start of Suskind. Something was definitely up. Songs were especially spicy, and we all made calls for the rest of the set list. Throughout the night, one by one, all of us seemed to get a few right. Scent of a Mule got a huge response from our side of the crowd, but I was most excited about my first Sparks and great jams out of Sally and Melt.

Sand can do no wrong right now. This version will stand the test of time for me because it was so patient. Trey doesn't go for the jugular until the very end, allowing Page and Mike to play a bigger role. The peak was still HUGE, don't get me wrong. Simple brought its usual sweetness and Steam finally payed me a visit. Seven Below was my favorite jam of the night, mostly for the last few minutes. Suzy slammed into Scents and Subtle Sounds telling us there wasn't going to be a break. Keep moving people. Trey's endless sustain in Slave helped set up the final emotional moment of the show. This version reminded me that this song will never be ordinary again.

The most impressive thing about Friday night was how engaging it was from start to finish. No filler whatsoever. Even ballads seemed to have more luster. Jamming was sprinkled throughout the entire show and the set list had to be creative to work. We'd get big jams the next two nights, but I left feeling like I didn't need anything at all.