On a pleasant summer Saturday Night in New York City, rock and roll legendsThe Who played Madison Square Garden on their supposed farewell tour titled The Song Is Over. Before the band started up Pete Towshend stated that The Who had played MSG 36 times and that this would "probably" be the last time, so the door is still open to a return.
The tour that is being billed as the The Final Chamber (the supposed last time all the living members of the Wu-Tang Clan will be on stage together) made an appearance at the world's most famous arena on Wednesday night July 16th. If this was truly a finale from Wu-Tang it was incredibly memorable and magnanimous as the Wu turned this tour stop into a celebration of not only their fantastic career, but of old-school hip-hop in general, with a host of special guests sharing the stage.
Back in March of 2020, just before the world shutdown for Covid, The Brothers got together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the legendary Macon, GA outfit The Allman Brothers. That show was a success by all indications, but due to a host of issues it was a one time thing. Five years later they decided to run it back as past Allman members Jaimoe, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge, Chuck Leavell and Marc Quinones brought on board Joe Russo, Reese Wynans and Isaac Eady to round out the sound for two shows at Madison Square Garden.
Another year wrapping up finds Phish returning to their annual holiday run at the world's most famous arena. RtBE went to 3 of the 4 show at Madison Square Garden, skipping New Years Eve, and has a few thoughts about them.
We are now heading into the new normal with live music. Live shows will need to be flexible and streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing/listening pleasure. You can check out our weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always, please support the artists any which way you can.
Phish begins their yearly four night stand at Madison Square Garden tonight and if you can't be there, like RtBE will, you can catch it via webcast here.
Two rock and roll hall of fame acts pulled into Madison Square Garden on Wednesday August 7th as The Doobie Brothers continued their extended 50th anniversary tour with Steve Winwood providing opening support.
Once again the current jamband kings set up in their home away from home, Madison Square Garden, to play four nights in a row, closing out 2023 and welcoming 2024 in the world's most famous arena. RtBE attended the first and second nights (12/28 and 12/29) and greatly enjoyed both, with one of them truly standing out.
First up was Thursday night 12/28 as the anticipation ran high with the band having done a solid summer run earlier in the year at the same venue. Things would take a few songs to truly get going for the Vermont quartet (Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Page McConnell and Jon Fishman) as they opened with a fairly tame "No Men In No Man's Land" before some crunchy keyboard work from McConnell on "Halley's Comet" that was engaging. After that fine tune though the band played it pretty close to the vest for the first set with short versions of "Sample in a Jar", "Runaway Jim", and "Bouncing Around the Room" before Fishman picked up the slamming pace on "Axilla (Part II)".
The group seemed more energized and dropped an upbeat blues burner on the Son Seals cover "Funky Bitch", but the set, and overall show highlight, arrived next when the group really dug into "Bathtub Gin". The almost eighteen minute outing saw the band open up with jams for the first time mixing warbling spacey playing with metallic crashing and soaring intensity as Gordon and Fishman's interplay kept things exciting throughout while McConnell and Trey added sonic accents.
Unfortunately a bland take on "Ghost" followed (whatever happened to the funk during this song?) while the band brought the set full circle with "No Men In No Man's Land" quotes. After a long break Phish returned with newer crowd favorite "The Howling" before the longest jam of the night "A Wave of Hope" sprawled out. A winding effort that mixed blissful Phish with a few darker moments, sounding a touch like The Allman Brothers at times, the extended playing was fine but never truly revelatory.
Better was a well placed "Rift" and the funky wah-wah work from Anastasio on "Mike's Song" that highlighted the second set with excellent energy. While "Simple" never reached the heights it has in the past, the set ending "Blaze On" showcased an energetic and solid jam to close. Surprisingly, the band had a lot left in the tank, and delivered a long, four song encore that could have ended after each tune. The ballad like "Mercy", the delicate beauty of "Squirming Coil" or the upbeat funk of "Weekapaug Groove" but it was "Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S." that ended what was more of a mini-set than an encore.
While the 28th was OK overall (Phish.net has it rated at 4.03 out of 5 which seems fair, if a touch high) it was a mere warm up for the Friday night show, which instantly had a more pumped up feel from the crowd and the band themselves. Trey was literally hoping around with excitement and acknowledging/waving to each side of the crowd before a note was played.
The music opened with a strong, rocking version of "Free" before moving effortlessly to get the funk flowing for "The Moma Dance" leading to a guitar ripping "Maze" which wrapped up a top notch trio to open the night and kick up the energy levels for all in the sold out house.
While the whole opening set was moving, the highlight just might have been this dynamite version of "Stash" that gracefully traversed through jazzy sections while Fishman dominated on the drums and cymbals. Two personal favorite songs "Get Back On The Train" and "Theme From The Bottom" were well done, while one of the bands better ballads, "Mountains In The Mist", was smooth. The set should have probably ended after a rocking "46 Days" but the outfit tacked on a tame version of "Drift While You're Sleeping" to conclude a stout run of tunes.
The second set found the group truly stretching out, using a mix of darker playing with brilliant peaks, resulting in the best set RtBE has caught from the band since The Baker's Dozen.
"Chalkdust Torture" kicked things off and after a short spin of the song proper, the band blasted off into the unknown with Gordon pushing the bass forward as spacey blissful jamming mixed with freaky passages as the weird, heavy, bizarre fully came out in this jam from the masters of improv. They weren't finished though as the newer jam vehicle "Oblivion" was another excellent extended outing, complete with deep bass, cymbal crashes, stuttering exchanges, and dark/bright juxtapositions while "What's the Use?" was a gorgeous, majestic, mid-set break.
Those three tunes were excellent examples of the band at it's current peak, but they were not done. "My Friend, My Friend" was huge with crazy riffing from Trey and massive drumming around distorted ominous noise/funk slamming, which echoed around MSG. Fans were clearly stoked when the weirdness coalesced directly into the dance party "Sand", yet this interesting version displayed more varied, squirrely jamming from Trey and Page as opposed to the hardcore funky throw down's of yesteryear.
The classic rock wailing of "About To Run" was a solid, more direct effort, but the band really let it all hang out for this version of "Harry Hood" which closed the second set. A dynamite rendition from all involved as the band linked up and delivered a classic take on this warhorse tune; the last few times RtBE has caught Hood, it has been just OK, this one makes us remember why it is such a great jam from the band as it grew, soaring to a huge release.
After a brief spin through "Lonely Trip" the band sent the Friday night crowd out on a rocking high with a blasting version of "Carini" to wrap an incredibly strong show from Phish. As always the band put in the effort and lit up MSG like no other touring act currently can, it was a joy to get see these two great nights of music from the group.
The second of two "garden parties" thrown by the Tedeschi Trucks Band took place last Friday night at Madison Square Garden as the rock and soul group pulled into town, playing the World's Most Famous Arena for the first time in their long career. The group brought some special guests along to commemorate the special evening, which lived up to the billing, as the sold out crowd braved epic flooding earlier in the day all throughout NYC to attend.
Opening the event was Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real as their southern based soulful rock was an excellent compliment as fans filled in early to catch their set. The group reached their zenith with a fluid extended take on "Find Yourself" but no Lady Gaga duet emerge on this night, while "Set Me Down On A Cloud" showcased organ work and a soaring guitar while the finale of "Something Real" displayed bluesy southern rock with lap steel guitar.
The 12 piece Tedeschi Trucks Band took to the stage next as the large rock/blues/soul revue got it going with "Anyhow". The slower soul opener was spearheaded by Susan as she sang lead and delivered a ripping lead solo before the cool "Playing With My Emotions" which had a huge build from Derek as the band swelled behind his riffs. "Ain't That Something" was highlighted by the horns, specifically the trombone solo, while the first extended jams of the night occurred next as "Part Of Me" with a slow intro from Trucks, a soulful groove which highlighted the backing vocals, before a extended drum duel and sax solo.
Mike Mattison then stepped up to the front of the stage to take on lead vocals for the groups cover of The Rolling Stones "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" which was revved up and well received. The band then stretched out again as "I Am The Moon" and "Pasaquan" flowed into each other and ranged all over the sonic map lead by Trucks, who delivered a huge crescendo to end these instrumental excursions.
The first special guest came out with just Susan Tedeschi as Nora Jones played electro-keys and sang a simple duet, a cover of John Hiatt's "Have a Little Faith in Me", before the full band returned to pump out a rocking cover of Tom Petty's "You Wreck Me" which was a mid set highlight.
The smooth soul of "Midnight in Harlem" gave the band a spacey, swirling excursion that focused on the sax before the energy picked up for the stomping "Made Up My Mind". The group then moved the night into various covers and all of them were played with grace and energy as John Prine's "Angel of Montgomery" was expertly sung by Tedeschi, who also dropped in a short "Sugaree" tease before Trey Anastasio was introduced.
Trey split lead vocals with Susan as the outfit delivered a killer take on The Who's "The Seeker" which featured a three way guitar vamping to end which was invigorating. The group then delivered back to back Derek and the Dominoes covers with Trey leading "Bell Bottom Blues" and Lukas Nelson joining for "Layla" which was mammoth as four guitarists kept the song soaring around piano break and horns; an apt set closer to a large night of tunes.
Things were not over yet though as Susan and Lukas started the encore off with another duet, this time a cover of Leon Russell's "A Song For You" which was heartfelt. After "Soul Sweet Song" the party kicked up with an extended Sly and The Family Stone medley which touched on "Sing A Simple Song" and " I Want To Take You Higher" as all the guests joined and the rock/soul/funk banged out with abandon.
Before the encore, the band advertised a return to the Beacon Theater for March of 2024, that location is their usual NYC haunt, and this unique Garden Party was a break from the norm which turned out to be a well organized and played event; a reward for a very trying (and wet) day for New Yorkers.
We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during the foreseeable future. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and as a way to help out the artists. You can check out our weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always, please support the artists any which way you can.
RtBE was lucky enough to attend 4 of the 7 shows Phish played recently at MSG. The band is clearly in love with the venue and the venue loves them, as sell out crowds and a joyous atmosphere is felt by all any time the Vermont jamband legends come to town. Each night, Saturday July 29th, Sunday July 30th, Tuesday August 1st and Saturday August 5th were enjoyable shows with highs and lows as the band continue to play with a free wheeling abandon that is intoxicating.
Back in December we did a top ten list of the New Years Run. To celebrate the four shows we caught at MSG this summer, here are four points we would like to expand upon. RtBE has lots more thoughts on the band, but for now these will be the four we touch on and they may overlap a bit.
1) "There've been times when I wander..."
As we stated after the New Years Run (point #8) the group still likes to let it all hang out and "jam", maybe more than they ever have. This run however it seemed that certain jams/exploratory operations missed their mark as well. This is a pleasant fact though as the band truly plays without a net and not everything always works.
The final nights "Tweezer" moments were more OK than world beating, the elongated "Sample In a Jar" would have packed more of a punch with a tighter version and the thirty odd minute "Fuego" took about half of that run time to really get going to these ears. Much better was the pumping "Kill Devil Falls > Golden Age" combo and a great "Light" which had real energetic moments. "2001" seemed to be ready to take off when they abruptly shifted gears into Jon Fishman silliness with "Cracklin Rosie", that is the epitome of Phish.
2) "And the light is growing brighter now..."
Kuroda. CK5 is just simply amazing. Watching the band from three distinct vantage points in the Garden (the first two nights were the same seats) allows one to just marvel at the work Kuroda does. The light program works with the band to create such special visuals that are almost as intoxicating as the music.
None of the shows we caught we full on burners the whole night, the band were trying out too many things for everything to click, however, each first set seemed to shine brighter than the second set every night we saw.
The best was the old school jaunt of Sunday which didn't have a song written after '94. Each song was excellent and worth hearing, yet none truly exploded. Tuesday may have had the better highpoints as "Wolfman's Brother" and "The Walrus" were top notch while "Timber (Jerry)" was the best version I can remember hearing live.
The final Saturday started amazingly with "Loving Cup" a blissful "Divided Sky" and "Prince Caspian" which was the highlight of the whole night. The first Saturday's climax was also at the start as "Get Back On The Train" > "Down With Disease" were electric while "Moondog Matinee" closed strong.
The second sets lent themselves to a bit too much wandering at times as mentioned, but the band was ready to go each night at MSG from the first notes.
4) "And many subtle sounds..."
Speaking of the venue, it needs to be noted that the arena sound at MSG is truly phenomenal. Kudos to Phish team and the Garden itself as speakers are everywhere. RtBE sat in the 100's 200' and 300's and each location was perfect when it comes to the audio quality at the Garden for Phish.
There is a clear love affair between venue, the fans, and band, odds are everyone will be back in December and RtBE will be back to partake in the flow as well.
Two 1980's rock and roll icons played to a sold out Madison Square Garden on Friday night June 9th as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts opened up for Bryan Adams on his So Happy It Hurts Tour in the worlds most famous arena.
The predominantly older crowd filed in as the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer returned to her adopted hometown and Jett started the show with a new song "Shooting Into Space" off her surprise new EP Mindsets which was released on June 2nd, and featured throughout the opening set. It says something that new tunes fit snuggly next to old favorites like the chugging "Cherry Bomb" and the crowd singalong "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)" as the 'Oh Yeah!' chants bounced around the Garden.
One of the set highlights was a hard rock cover version of Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People" as Jett and The Blackhearts took the theme of togetherness and put a leather vest on top of the positive message. The group delivered a quick take on their biggest hit "I Love Rock and Roll" which felt perfunctory, better was the slamming "Bad Reputation" which had a Ramones punk spirit mixed in, while the encore for Jett's set was a new tune, "Whiskey Goes Good" which brought a country twang to the hard rock proceedings.
After a lengthy break, Bryan Adams and his four piece backing band, (Keith Scott – lead guitar, backing vocals Mickey Curry – drums, backing vocals Solomon Walker – bass, backing vocals Gary Breit – keyboards, backing vocals) arrived to a video intro of their song "Kick Ass" which worked well as they dropped right into that straight ahead rocking song live.
The group are well versed and have the stage game down as Adams ran from side to side getting fans worked up with classics "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" and "Somebody". Adams has always walked a fine line between earnest rocker and cheesy overload and some of his tunes on this night like "Please Forgive Me", "When Your Gone" and "One Night Love Affair" dipped into Velveeta land, however an early arrival of "Heaven" pulled all the emotional weight as the song rang out winningly, complete with a huge guitar solo.
Another highlight was Adams telling a story of the time he worked with Tina Turner and he became choked up before delivering an impactful version of "It's Only Love" which showcased his strongest vocals all night, and another great guitar solo. The band then shifted gears for a bit of rockabilly complete with stand-up bass work as "I've Been Looking for You" twanged out from the front of the large MSG stage.
Reliving the past is a big theme of Adams' music and while "Summer of '69" was a winner, complete with heavy break down, "18 til I Die" missed the mark completely. Better was the huge hit "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" and the ovation it received, before Adams started taking requests from those who could yell the loudest.
"She's Only Happy When She's Dancing" was a fun hand clapping, hip swinging number while "Christmas Time" was an odd choice. "Cuts Like A Knife" found the band delivering the best groove of the entire show while "Run To You" was a revved up muscle car that took off an floored it.
The long set oddly ended with a cover of Frankie Vallie's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and then a two song, solo acoustic encore of "Straight From the Heart" and "All For Love" and while the toned down sound was a unique choice to close the show, the huge set that proceeded it delivered the goods for the sold out crowd.
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Support the artists, catch them live on this tour and peep some video below:
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band: Live Around NYC - Spring 2023
4/1 Madison Square Garden, 4/3 Barclay's Center, 4/11 UBS Arena
Three nights, three separate arenas, over nine hours of music, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band brought their larger-than-life rock show to the New York City area these past few days and delivered the goods, yet again.
I was lucky enough to catch them on my own mini-tour, at Madison Square Garden (4/1), Barclays Center (4/3) and UBS Arena (4/11) and was incredibly impressed by each outing with almost nothing critical to say.
Only a complete cynic or a fool could deny the power of this band which has been at it for over fifty years and still manages to blow it all out, song after song. When you consider the ages of the core group members – now in their seventies – the experience of seeing this outfit is nothing less than shocking.
Rather than cruise-control retirement shows they still give total effort and display a burning desire to rock. When you add in the five-piece horn section (Curt Ramm, Barry Danielian, Eddie Manion, Jake Clemons, Ozzie Melendez) and four backup singers (Curtis King Jr., Lisa Lowell, Michelle Moore, Ada Dyer) the incredibly full-bodied propulsion gives lift-off to the arena ready numbers. The motor of the whole production is, the about to turn seventy-two-year-old Max Weinberg whose drumming (highlighted particularly during the propulsive “Candy’s Room” on two of the nights) is fierce and a force to be reckoned with by anyone half his age.
Then there is The Boss himself, who, while perhaps not as active on stage as he once was, sings as strong as ever, is playing more leads than you might remember and continues to take his adoring fanbase in the palm of his hand and place them close to his heart each show. Simply put, the seventy-three-year-old is one of the great showmen in rock history and while I get tired standing for three hours a night watching, he seems like he could keep going another hour plus if the venues let him.
The three concerts stayed predominately to the same script with each era of Bruce’s robust career getting an airing. Like the early days of the looser freewheeling outfit? Then you are rewarded with a jazzy, solo filled “Kitty’s Back” and a percussion heavy “E-Street Shuffle”, the grooviest performance of this admittedly grooves deficient outfit. Revel in more recent memories with a splash of heartache? Perhaps “Wrecking Ball”, “Last Man Standing” or “The Rising” will get your hands raised and tears flowing. The desire is there for a few covers? “Nightshift” is smooth and “Trapped” had two airings to huge crowd reactions Want hits? You are in luck; they never seem to stop.
Every night, three songs into the show, the band started “Prove It All Night” and each performance was a highlight. Max slammed the band forward, while Bruce delivers a searing closing solo with a crashing crescendo; 99% of rock bands would kill to close a show with this gem of a song, and E-Street are only three songs in. Not enough? “The Promised Land” arrives two songs later and with his harmonica, pinch of Americana and a hefty dose of good old rock and roll; The Boss and company proceed to tear the roof open again.
It speaks to his incredible career that Springsteen can still fill up arenas so expertly with super hits. Efforts like “Out in the Street” and “Backstreets” had the last rows in the buildings up and singing with unparalleled crowd responses. Each night also saw special songs arrive for the first time this tour. The Ranger fans in the Garden were treated to a beautiful “Jungleland”, the Brooklyn bums found out that “It’s Hard To Be A Saint In The City” and Long Island felt the thundering synth bass and bomb blasts of “Born In the U.S.A”; each bust out kept his rabid fans delighted.
That is where the real magic unfolds, in the crowds, as the encores roll out and the lights are turned on in the arena. The predominantly older audience get a chance, perhaps their last, to connect with their hero through the songs of their youth. “Tenth Ave Freeze Out” is a joyous explosion, “Thunder Road” evokes powerful past decisions, “Rosalita” praises the sense of adventures yet to come while “Glory Days” hits hard, as the majority in attendance easily recognize the truth, humor, and honesty contained in that tune.
However, nothing can hold a candle to “Born to Run”. On this tour it is delivered with an incredibly potent horn section that captures the essence of arena rock like no other. The crowds sing and dance, envisioning past senses of freedom, the open road, a future that was there for them, closing too soon…only to be brought back to the present with the knowledge of being alive, now, and vitally experiencing this song. A pinnacle moment in any music going fan's life; “Born to Run” is mega.
Rapturous applause and chants of “Bruuuuce” follow every move that Springsteen makes, and as he still delivers performances like these, it is easy to see why. I am no super fan of Springsteen, but I am a super fan of rock and roll in all forms, and this meaty, bombastic, straight ahead banging with a soulful legendary center tour of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street band can make a believer of all in attendance any night, in any arena, anywhere. See them while you can.
For the first time RtBE decided to join the Vermont foursome for all four shows on their annual NYE run at Madison Square Garden.
Dating back to 1997 RtBE has been to at least one show of the NYE run at MSG each time Phish has played the venue, but have never done the full four shows. So 2022 was the year all were witnessed in person from Section 224, Row 4, Seats 7 and 8.
Beautiful views from the middle of Madison Square Garden for four nights of adventurous rock and roll from Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Page McConnell and Jon Fishman. The band was in much better form from the last time we caught them, 4/20/22 and below are the Top Ten moments of the run to these eyes and ears.
The Grateful Dead decided to release this individual show as a standalone from 17 CD box set In and Out of The Garden, March 9th, 1981 and it is a solid effort from the worlds most famous arena.
We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...KISS!
This week we head down the block from RtBE headquarters to MSG for the KISS reunion tour of 1996. Get your makeup on early for Halloween weekend...
Pro shot, pro sound, set list below. Enjoy!
KISS show from Alive/Worldwide Tour (aka Reunion Tour). Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, July 27, 1996. Setlist:
00:23 - Deuce
05:16 - Calling Dr. Love
09:53 - Cold Gin
16:13 - Let Me Go, Rock and Roll
21:15 - Shout It Out Loud
24:05 - Watchin' You
27:53 - Firehouse
32:41 - Shock Me
37:18 - Ace guitar solo
45:02 - Strutter
49:07 - Rock Bottom
53:25 - Gene bass solo
56:53 - God of Thunder (includes Peter drum solo from 59:55 to 1:05:51)
1:08:17 - Love Gun
1:12:48 - 100,000 Years
1:17:56 - Paul guitar solo (extended Black Diamond intro)
1:20:16 - Black Diamond
1:28:30 - Detroit Rock City
1:34:59 - Rock and Roll All Nite
KISS performed in original lineup: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss.
Once again the legendary jamband Phishwill end the year at their home away from home, Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Ticket requests are open now and the band will undoubtedly pull out the all the stops as they play the Garden in December. RtBE will certainly be in attendance, as we were at their re-scheduled shows back in April.
Here is some video of a past NYE Run highlight, "Tweezer" from 12/30/2019
It is of The Who's live show on Thursday May 26th at MSG in NYC.
I went in not knowing setlists or what The Who Two were doing this tour and was simply blown away. RtBE have written about The Who in our Masters series and hold them in super high regard, but seeing them live these days has not been a major priority...this show might have changed that.
Starting with a half hour straight of Tommy and ending with Quadrophenia?! 8,395 person orchestra??! Amazing. Daltrey was in fine voice and Pete was engaged throughout, this was a killer night of wide ranging rock.
The opening night of the jamband legends Madison Square Garden, New Years Eve Residency saw Phish....Oh wait, this is April?!? Omicron postponed the events that were supposed to happen in the winter, leading up to the New Year, until the spring. Phish opened its 'New Years Run' on Wednesday 4/20 at MSG under rising Covid rates yet again in NYC. Hopefully the residency won't turn into a super spreader event as fans from all over descended on the Mecca.
Some extended venue stands from the band will kick open the door and it felt that way with a rocking "Carini>Possum" opener, but the quartet (Trey Anastasio - Guitar, Mike Gordon - Bass, Page McConnell Keys, Jon Fishman - Drums) seemed to just be getting their feet wet in their favorite arena as opposed to blowing it out. The first set was awkward overall as "Moma Dance" went spacey instead of funky and "Leaves" dulled the bright lights of the city.
First set highlights were a relaxed "Strange Design" and a strong "Stash" while the second set felt the same, a touch clunky, as the band was working up to their 4 night run with a slow burn. "Sigma Oasis" and "Down With Disease" never took flight as the band ebbed and flowed around the extended workouts.
The best parts of the second set were in "Twist" where the band moved away from the songs structure towards a more fluid jam and the end of "Reba" where the quartet locked in and sounded the best they would all night.
Closer "Drift While Your Sleeping" wasn't the exultation that it could have been as the band is saving some of their biggest songs for the shows to come. A duel encore of the bass heavy "Gumbo" and the sleek "Slave To The Traffic Light" wrapped up the night on an old school vibe as fans were happy to begin this four night run from one of the best live bands going.
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