DMBzilla
06-28-2008, 04:00 AM
Just back from the show a bit ago, and I'm not tired so I figured I'd write a review of what could best be called a strange show. Went with my pops tonight, and it was his first show since '99 at the Vet and first time sitting up front. We got there around 6:30, avoiding the rain and getting a nice parking spot in the behind-the-stage lot (easy out after the show).
Black Crowes were cool, but I would've enjoyed a longer set/more "hits." I like the Crowes quite a bit, but for an opening slot like that I would've liked to have heard Hard to Handle or She Talks to Angels. Got Remedy though, so that was cool, and not to create rumor and innuendo, but I'm pretty sure Chris Robinson didn't even know what planet he was on.
As for DMB, I'm going to try to avoid a song-by-song review and focus more on the highs and lows. The best word I can use to describe the set tonight: confusing. They never really peaked, never really played that huge show-stopper (until the encore anyway), but had what I found to be a nice and relaxing flow throughout the night. ODH was a strange choice for an opener, but certainly better this tour than it's been in the past. The run from Everyday through OOMH was pretty standard. The band played each song well (YMDT was very nice tonight, as was Bartender) but nothing too out of the ordinary. At that point, I was thinking to myself, "Okay, they're about halfway through, nothing special so far and all 'new' songs, let's see what happens..."
Nancies was a big turning point. Really nice version, and definitely got the die-hards more interested. Even still, this was a more chill version than I'm used to, but that went nicely with the overall mood of the show. Then, Typical. I was like a little kid again when I heard the first few notes -- definitely one of my all-time favorites, and this version was up there with the best I've seen. Tim was strong all the way through, and the band sounded really tight, especially for such a shocker (to my knowledge it wasn't soundchecked before it was played). Definitely the moment of the night for me.
From there on, the show continued with alot of strong, tight playing from everyone on stage. Jimi was very good tonight, ASTB was excellent (Stefan literally rocked all the way over to Boyd's side, which I've never seen him do), and the encore speaks for itself. We started making our way out of the front towards the gate out as Two Step ended, and turned around 3 steps from the exit at the start of Ants. Nice to see them mixing it up and rocking the more traditional version tonight instead of the new D&T intro (which I also like alot, but saw at Camden and SPAC).
For me, the biggest downside tonight was the crowd around me in Section B. That's not to say everyone there was bad, but I feel like Warehouse must have mixed up the seating tonight with new and old members. There were alot of casual fans down there, far too many teenie-boppers, and just general annoying idiots. Case in point: 2 rows behind us there was a group of teenagers that repeatedly yelled for songs while they were already playing. That gets old real quick. Also, I don't know if it's been mentioned, but they were having all kinds of equipment troubles tonight. Boyd's violin didn't work early in the set, Dave needed a new guitar 3 times, and Fonzie had his shit worked on a couple times as well, needing to switch basses at least once. I guess the rain may have been to blame, but it was very odd. Dave was visibly pissed during Too Much, but tried to mask his displeasure by putting his guitar on top of his head and dancing like a freak.
All in all, it was a lengthy, chill show with a very nice vibe all night. Not the best show of the tour, but certainly not the worst either. I wish I didn't have to wait until Dallas to see them again (for my 100th DMB show :) ), but this was a nice way to end my June run.
Black Crowes were cool, but I would've enjoyed a longer set/more "hits." I like the Crowes quite a bit, but for an opening slot like that I would've liked to have heard Hard to Handle or She Talks to Angels. Got Remedy though, so that was cool, and not to create rumor and innuendo, but I'm pretty sure Chris Robinson didn't even know what planet he was on.
As for DMB, I'm going to try to avoid a song-by-song review and focus more on the highs and lows. The best word I can use to describe the set tonight: confusing. They never really peaked, never really played that huge show-stopper (until the encore anyway), but had what I found to be a nice and relaxing flow throughout the night. ODH was a strange choice for an opener, but certainly better this tour than it's been in the past. The run from Everyday through OOMH was pretty standard. The band played each song well (YMDT was very nice tonight, as was Bartender) but nothing too out of the ordinary. At that point, I was thinking to myself, "Okay, they're about halfway through, nothing special so far and all 'new' songs, let's see what happens..."
Nancies was a big turning point. Really nice version, and definitely got the die-hards more interested. Even still, this was a more chill version than I'm used to, but that went nicely with the overall mood of the show. Then, Typical. I was like a little kid again when I heard the first few notes -- definitely one of my all-time favorites, and this version was up there with the best I've seen. Tim was strong all the way through, and the band sounded really tight, especially for such a shocker (to my knowledge it wasn't soundchecked before it was played). Definitely the moment of the night for me.
From there on, the show continued with alot of strong, tight playing from everyone on stage. Jimi was very good tonight, ASTB was excellent (Stefan literally rocked all the way over to Boyd's side, which I've never seen him do), and the encore speaks for itself. We started making our way out of the front towards the gate out as Two Step ended, and turned around 3 steps from the exit at the start of Ants. Nice to see them mixing it up and rocking the more traditional version tonight instead of the new D&T intro (which I also like alot, but saw at Camden and SPAC).
For me, the biggest downside tonight was the crowd around me in Section B. That's not to say everyone there was bad, but I feel like Warehouse must have mixed up the seating tonight with new and old members. There were alot of casual fans down there, far too many teenie-boppers, and just general annoying idiots. Case in point: 2 rows behind us there was a group of teenagers that repeatedly yelled for songs while they were already playing. That gets old real quick. Also, I don't know if it's been mentioned, but they were having all kinds of equipment troubles tonight. Boyd's violin didn't work early in the set, Dave needed a new guitar 3 times, and Fonzie had his shit worked on a couple times as well, needing to switch basses at least once. I guess the rain may have been to blame, but it was very odd. Dave was visibly pissed during Too Much, but tried to mask his displeasure by putting his guitar on top of his head and dancing like a freak.
All in all, it was a lengthy, chill show with a very nice vibe all night. Not the best show of the tour, but certainly not the worst either. I wish I didn't have to wait until Dallas to see them again (for my 100th DMB show :) ), but this was a nice way to end my June run.