First off I'll admit Im a n00b. This show was only the second SHOW I attended. (I was at all three days of Superball, but other than that, Darien 6/8/11 was my first show) I'd like to forget about the flubs that happened, or the arguably misplaced song choices, and take a moment to share my highlights from the show; which I personally will remember as my favorite show, thus far.
I had seats behind the stage, section 113, Page side for the first set. On the subway from Queens to Manhattan I randomly called a PYITE opener. Pretty stoked to get it. Signs pointed to a raging show. I was kind of bummed with the immediately following Caspian and Numberline. Love the songs... though not particularly in those slots. Nellie Kane got people throwing down to this bluegrass tune. Im a sucker for Mike songs, and seeing it at Darien earlier in the year, was pleased to hear it. Divided Sky was great, Im guessing nearly everyone there was expecting that one. The garden was deafening during the pause. Sand was particularly funky and was the beginning of what would later develop into some pristine 3.0 jamming, come second set. I dont think the Sand jam was cut short, or 'ripcorded' in any extremes. I was more than pleased with it and ready for what was next to come. Wasn't familiar with Vultures (sorryyyy, thats the n00b in me) and cant say much as of highlights for Rift and Joy. I chose Joy as a sitter, regain some energy for later raging, and sat comfortably from my seat, clear view from the back side of the stage and simply observed. It truly was a remarkable thing. Joy finished and Quinn emerged as a killer rock closer. Quinn really became a new favorite after SBIX. 3/3 for songs I called would be played, all in set 1.
During Set Break I explored the Garden, visiting various phriends and enjoying the atmosphere.
Wilson opened second set with a bang. Not particularly a memorable version overall, but great choice for the night/slot. The intro and first measures of the verse of Axilla I were the most severe flub of the night (IMO) but it was fun to see Trey laugh about it and proceed to tear the roof off the Garden. The Piper and it's proceeding jam was undoubtedly the highlight of the night, both for me and most phans there Im sure. As the gentleman next to me said, "They broke that shit out of Storage!" In other words, it got weird. And during the blissful jam Trey and Page were creating, Mike opened the bay doors and dropped the biggest BOMB know to man. You know which one Im talking about. Twist was fun, Julius rocked, and it rolled. I found myself shouting at the tops of my lungs about a 'TICKET STUB' in my hand during Golgi. I was particularly happy about this because I had been subconsciously singing that line for the past 2 weeks straight. 2001 had a really awesome intro, and a really cool jam. Definitely one of the better songs of the night. I was travelling between sections during Horse>Silent, a bit lost in one of the stair wells. After finding my friends in the 300's section, i was just in time for a spacey Bowie intro, and funky version. Squirming Coil was another time I observed the show as a whole, not only focusing on the stage and intently critiquing the song play. To me, there's more to it than that, and I wish more phans would feel that way. I thinks its pointless to pick apart and complain about flubs. Anyway, the energy there was undescribable; other that that of a Phish show. Page's ending solo was beautiful and everyone in attendance was taken back by some effect by it. Definitely a special moment. The Boogie On encore was far from expected, but gladly accepted. I think I boogied more to that song than any other in the night. GTBT was a clear choice for a show closer. Definitely fit the show well. It had its bad times, but it also sure had its good times, and I believe the good times outweighed the bad. It really was such a fun show.