This was my first show of 2022, and happy to be back to the Ruoff/Deer Creek (I prefer the latter). One thing I've since learned about Deer Creek is it is a world-renowned outdoor amphitheater. And, at least according to Wikipedia, is also consistently one of the world's top-grossing concert venues despite having a standard 25,000 capacity (compared to, say the Glen Helen which more than doubles its seating capacity). All of this to say that I am certainly not as well versed in other musical venues as others on this site, but I've never been anywhere else that was of such ease of access for tens of thousands of spinning hippies, and with campsite directly across the street taboot.

We drove into the venue from Cleveland the day of, only stopping once in Springfield, OH for a pee break/coffee refresher. As soon as we landed in town, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and hurried to the show. Got in around 7, got tee-shirts and beer at 7:30, found a spot Mike-side on the lawn at 8, and the electricity was certainly palpable. I had a feeling a birthday show, and us being Mike-side, was going to lead to something special. But I was not expecting what I got!

This is probably the least jammed show of tour (that still contains a 16-minute Disease and 17-minute ER), and I won't lie and say I was disappointed slightly not getting my 20+ behemoth jam like the Simple from the night prior. But instead what I got was an incredibly tight and well-executed 2 sets of music. I also got my first Fluffhead, so who am I to complain? And don't even get me started on that Ruby Waves. 13 shows in (yeah yeah, rookie numbers, I know), and that is the biggest peak in a jam I've ever witnessed. They all went into that one with a mission.

Listening back on this show, I definitely appreciate it more in retrospect. This feels like the most handcrafted show of tour, and it's surprising the best was yet to come for us in Indiana.

In not so many words: excellent start to the run.

Highlights: ER, Mull, Disease, Ruby Waves>...CDT.

This one is HOT.