First night of a three night run IN Chicago for the first time in a long time. Went solo, first solo show for me and I had a blast. Lot was lax and it seemed as if you couldn't walk 20 feet with out being asked for extras. Grabbed some BBQ on lot and went in early. Was a few rows from the rafters on fishman's side as far as you could go but I was just happy to be inside. The indoor conditions were similar to that of a sweat lodge...and purification is what we received.

Set I:

BOTT OPENER! and a great version at that! this really set the tone and you just felt in the first few minutes they were on point, really got the place rocking.

Rift > Guelah kept up the pace

Mule had some meatball action from Mike that literally made you feel the music and at this point the place was getting REALLY hot. near the roof the air was thick and we all knew we would just have to endure it because there was really no way anyone could avoid getting down with what they were throwing at us. Jesus Just Left Chicago followed, fitting slower song in the set that just emanated soul from Page.

Wolfmans gets dirty. Plinko funk version that tends to get overlooked due to the second set.

Anything but me slowed things down but with the heat and humidity in there, everyone needed a short break from the getdownery. Babylon Baby had many confused on whether it was a cover, new song, or side project song.

Reba followed to pick things back up. I should add the band was really feeling the crowd at this point. Lots of looking around by trey, it was around this time or before Trey absolutely boots a balloon/ball that came up on stage (think a kid swinging for the fences in kickball). It skyrocketed to the light structure and he was all smiles.

Alumni > Letter > Alumni just knocked the place down after the set they dropped on us. Things were flowing, it was a request of sorts (see show notes). People were beside themselves when setbreak hit. High fives, random conversations, and the halls during set were just covered in moisture due to the heat inside and cold outside, while everyone continued meander about, buzzing about set one and what is to come.

Set II:

Sand > Light is some seriously sick stuff. These may get overlooked because of Waves>Undermind. They go deep and you knew that something special is happening.

Dirt as the slow song in the second set? Perfect. Not too slow and really seemed to keep the flow going.

Waves is great. Goes into a classic rock feel near the end with some licks a la Stranglehold and you could feel it morphing into something more...timber? nope, a laid back intro into Undermind.

Undermind - just listen to it. if you haven't already...slap yourself.

Steam - perfect for the conditions, but it was so hot, humid, and smokey where I was sitting (above smoke machines) I both wanted this sickness to continue and stop because the air was getting SO thick. I decided my remedy was to get down even more, it worked

>Fire - even more fitting. smoke still lingering and a great close to a smoking set (albeit a somewhat short one that was not realized until well after).

Encore:

many were besides themselves at this point and when the band returned, trey mentioned no talks between building mgmt and the band regarding curfew. after deliberation between the band on what to play, things got going again.

The encore almost seemed like another set, started with some funk in Camel Walk. Guyute, is this the last song? Nope. They can't end on a horse>silent can they? Absolutely not, Hood! Once again, the place lost it.

One of the best shows I've been to with relation to flow (set I and II), it just seemed to unravel organically. Encore was memorably long and a perfect way to cap off the night. A must listen show from start to finish. Give as much attention to set I as set II. The second was type II territory from start to finish but the first set put us in a place to be blown over by the second and the encore put the nail in the coffin.

Great show and a great time all around...one of those that left you with a "what just happened?"