This was a really fantastic show. Just got home from the run and had the chance to re-listen this morning on the drive. It definitely holds up!

These were the first two shows of my tour, and I have to say they sound really tight. N1 was fun, albeit setlist wasn't necessarily one I'll revisit. However, they hit a lot of songs I enjoy hearing live. But N2 had it all: funk, humor, looseness, shredding, and layers.

Set 1: Trey was clearly in a funky mood right off the bat, as he wah-ed through You Sexy Thing, (You Sexy) Wombat, and Free, putting some extra mustard on the latter two. I'll take ASIHTOS in the four hole any day, that jam is always a ripper! Next came Halley's which I believe is the longest since 2.0. Everyone was getting down when they realized they'd be taking a ride on the comet. Halley's impact into Lonely Trip was gorgeous - for a moment I thought Page was taking them into No Quarter (in the first set!?) but the segue was beautiful. I absolutely love that ballad, reminds me a lot of Mountains in the Mist and they nailed it. Picking it back up with Jibboo is always welcome, and the subsequent Meat was really funny and full of teases. They were clearly having a lot of fun with that one! The closing Maze was a heater. Trey was really locked in with Page, jumping up an down the whole time. The peak was long and loud, so much so that CK5 kept missing the peak cause Trey just kept building. A fantastic closer!

Set 2: I will say, in the moment I wasn't thrilled with a Theme opener but when the jam comes in on that one it really gets me going. I like that they're opening some second sets with "warm up" songs. Seems to get them right back in the groove. On the same note, the BOAF was stellar. Deep, layered, and fast. Fishman was on fire in this one. The way they brought it back into the proper song in the end was really smooth. Bug was a cooler the band needed, and you're lying if you weren't singing along with that one. They pick it right back up with a Light that finds a great groove early (sounded like a Destiny Unbound jam!) and they sneakily bring it into Party Time. I didn't even see it coming! The following Ruby Waves was a real treat - dark, deep, heavy jam that hit some really cool melodies. I've enjoyed just about every Ruby Waves jam since it's debut and this one is near the top of the list. Chalkdust closer was more than welcomed with a ferocious peak. Overall, a really well executed set.

Encore: Might be in the minority here but Show of Life is one of my favorite encore ballads. I see it as a big thank you from the band. It's a song where I really feel the sincerity between the band and us fans. Of course, getting SANTOS was the cherry on top. What an end to a really fun run!

I love where they are right now. I know people love the really long jams and all, but man they're finding grooves so much quicker this tour. None of the jams in this show were really slowly developed or drawn out, they were firing on all cylinders from the moment they started.

See everyone in AC!