A great solid tour opener that sent a clear message that this summer's tour is going to feature the Fuego songs. And in the first set particularly, they really shined and entered into a new phase of 3.0. If CK5 is the 5th member of the band, then the audience is the 6th member because, after Stealing Time started the tour off with some high energy, the excitement was both heard and felt with the fan reaction when the opening notes of Fuego began. Their was a clear, noticeable buzz in the crowd. What was originally a decidedly mixed reaction on 10/31 has been turned into genuine, palpable joy to hear the new music played - a testament to the band sounding practiced and speaking so enthusiastically about their love of the new tunes. The band used set I to showcase the new songs, interweaving them between concert classics, with 555 particularly sounding like it has been in the rotation for years, before ending the set with a masterful jam that changed this reviewer's whole view on the song Wingsuit, which had a must- hear jam to close set I. A distinct new school set that resulted in a strong hour+ of music.

Set II was a monster. It began with relatively short Mike's > Simple > Free, all of which were well played with the jam into free being particularly poetic. Waiting All Night was placed in an interesting spot, initially feeling like a very early set breather...but as the song built - it became clear that they were building to something bigger. Indeed they were with an outstanding segue from ghost into a thunderous weekapaug that left all the noobs salivating.

But the real story of this show was Harry Hood, a funky jazzy exploratory version that blew me away and a must hear. It amazes me that - after following this band for so long, they still manage to surprise me by jamming out a song when least expected...at the very end of a show. It reminds you that whether it's old school or new school- an amazing jam can come anytime and anyplace - and that's exactly what I love about this band.

Happy tour all!