Drove from Georgia Southern for the show. Finally got to see a show in Charlotte. After WPB for 2 nights, I thought they'd play something else I haven't ever seen live before (this was show #12) after Orange Beach got Crazy Easy.
We had lawn tickets. Of course it drizzled and rained on us but I knew the second they told people to leave that we weren't going to get fucked. It was from reading threads right here on Ants about people "huddling up in bathrooms" during DMB storms (in that thread about worst weather at a DMB show) and such YESTERDAY that I said "We are not leaving this venue until they say it's canceled 100% and everyone leaves. The band could come on at any second and we'd have no idea." So we went and walked around the soaked concourse, stood on the lawn for a little bit, walked around more, stood by the bathrooms, etc. Just fucking around. We had been back in the lawn for about 10 minutes before Dave came on. I knew some lawn people were just following instructions but it's a high probability you'll get fucked if you flat out leave the venue. I know it's safety though.
I thought DDTW would open. JTR tease was weird - why not the whole song? First 3 songs (Seven, BBN, Broken Things) were alright. I was on a big BBN kick earlier this year but now it's turned into a kick for Broken Things so even though they were 3 post-2008 songs I enjoyed them.
Granny! Song is always a blast. Into #41. Show getting good at this point. DDTW in there. Long Black Veil! Second time I have seen it this year after WPB N1. Pretty rare song. Back to Big Whiskey with Funny. I said I hope this is the last Big Whiskey song of the night....
Crazy Easy was a surprise because I thought they'd skip it in Charlotte. I like it. At this point I am wondering where Stanley is because I had been really stoked for his appearance. No Stanley but Runnin Down A Dream. This is their 2nd best cover this year after Reaper. I think this is the point when it stopped raining on us. Kit Kat Jam followed, wow. 3 TDs in 3 shows for me this summer. Atlanta would never get that shit. More Recently, got it in WPB and I'll take it. Right into You & Me....my girlfriend loves it so ok she got a song she wanted haha.
Now it gets interesting. At this point in the show Dave gives his little speech he usually gives before the encore. And they go into Drunken Soldier. I said ok this is probably song 15 so it's probably this and then one encore song and they're out of here. After the song they launch into Two Step. WOW I am very pleased with the ending at this point. I wanted a DS->Two Step this year and I finally got it. I was sure this was time for the encore. NOPE. Band just goes into Ants and the crowd explodes. Place is rocking on Ants. Surely THAT'S it for the main set - an epic 3 song run. AND THERE'S HALLOWEEN!! Second Halloween in 3 shows for me. Absolutely crazy. People around me were like
and were blowing up. Really cool ending and definitely the best I have seen to ever end a main set. Nasty!
Encore of course can't live up to that...there's not much left and they haven't done Watchtower a lot lately so I figured when they came back out when Carter was still walking around the stage that it would be something short. Finally I get a Shake Me closer....I knew one was coming sometime haha. But I'd be interested in seeing the physical setlist for this show. What was REALLY the encore? Thankfully I don't hate Shake Me as much as I did earlier this year - it wasn't bad but I always like longer songs to close. However considering the rain and the circumstances it was fine and it topped off a great show!
Glad I stayed during the rain, didn't leave/fucked around walking around the venue for like 45 mins or so before DMB and enjoyed a great show. I hope Stanley can come out next year.