Va Beach 6-17-12

[rebels07]

This was my first show since Cville N1 in 2010 (I can't remember why I couldn't go to the nuclear awesomeness explosion of N2), so I was pretty excited. I snagged some Livenation pit tickets when they went on sale and was looking forward to getting back in the saddle.

Start the trip with a tire blowout on 64E from Richmond and had a 90 minute delay after towing, car swapping, etc., so I was pretty bummed out by the time we got to the gig. I figured I'd be way at the back of the pit, but I bought a Fastpass and was in about the 3rd row of people behind some WH people, so it all worked out.

Gary Clark Jr. was awesome and Dave told us a pretty funny story about trying to ride his bike to the ocean from the venue (it isn't very close!).

Grace Is Gone: Pretty surprised by this opener and maybe a little disappointed by the placement. I guess they have done this a few times this summer, but I haven't been watching the setlists closely. Tim was the highlight of the song. He did a great job of inserting musical commentary in the right places.

Eh Hee: Don't really like this song. Crowd seemed to like it and the band was having fun.

Big Eyed Fish: Was hoping for something a bit harder, but it was one my buddy wanted to hear (his first show), so we jammed and sang anyway.

Bartender: Not sure if this has been typical for the tour, but I was really happy when I saw Dave keep the 12-string and Jeff pick up his Bari because I knew Bartender was happening. Great segue and the song was awesome. Dave's singing before the solo was really enjoyable and Jeff played a great penny whistle solo. I seemed like his mic wasn't on for the first 16 or so bars, but then it flipped on and everyone cheered.

Stay or Leave: Not much to say here. I like this song, it's pretty short and sweet.

Best of What's Around: I heard this song in Charleston in 2008 for the first time and this was the second time. I was really excited to hear it and everyone in the pit was stoked too. Solo from Jeff was good and we all were singing along.

Crash Into Me: Lot of female screams for this. I like the song, always enjoyable to sing along to.

Lie in Our Graves: Really excited for this one was well. Only my second time hearing it. Not much commentary to give other than I wish we got a reprise (why do we call it a reprise?? It's really just the end of the song!)

Why I Am: Liked this song on the record. It's fun live and everyone cheers for Roi during the Groogrux stuff.

Where are You Going: Told my buddy in on the way down I would love to NOT hear this song. Guess that's what I get for opening my mouth.

Grey Street: "Ok, nice recovery." Sounded good. Jeff sounded good. Pretty standard.

Mercy: Only heard it when Dave did that thing at UNC with Fallon. I like the song and I'm sure it will sound great on the record. Kind of a downer live though. Dave playing piano chords at the end really adds nothing to this song.

Out Of My Hands: The group of people around me kept going "ok stand back up, stand up Dave" after Mercy ended b/c we didn't want this song. Reallly bummed about it.

Can't Stop: Gary Clark came back out and I was hoping for something he could totally destroy on. This song is not good, plain and simple. Gary sounded good on it, but he didn't shred like in the opening set. Probably didn't want to step on any toes. Was hoping for Jimi or something like that here.

Crush: Back on track. Stefan did an extended intro while Carter got his snare drum replaced. Everyone sounded good, but I was hoping for some Jeff Coffin action on it. Oh well.

Two Step: Sounded really good. Dave did the Time Bomb lyrics at the beginning. I liked that Carter didn't solo for too long.

Halloween: Speaks for itself

Billies: Didn't know this was a segue thing already happening so I was surprised and happy. Great ending.

I think the negatives were certainly more than offset by the positives. It's pretty to complain with pit tickets and a Halloween encore. This is my only show this year, so I'm glad we made it count!

[DLSmith93]

This was my first concert since Cville 2010, too. I have 3 brothers and we were all at the concert with different groups of people. 2 of them were disappointed by the concert. I however couldn't have asked for a better concert. I absolutely loved Cville, especially since it was the last show before the break, but I might actually put this concert slightly ahead due to the songs played. I was not let down by a single song. This concert was basically the playlist I listen to in the car. I can't wait to go to back to VA Beach next year.

[Maleko13]

Had an absolutely great time! Worth every penny to fly out to see friends and a great show.... And it wasn't humid!!!!

As usual there were a couple d-bags in the pit, but for the most part a great crowd around us, and it helped that there were 9 of us.

Loved every second of it, Boo on the curfew though.

Gary Clark Jr. killed it and as a bonus we got to meet him at the airport.

Can't wait for the Gorge!!!

[dbat2]

This was my 26th show, and I still love this band and their music! I've just about run out of patience with the large number of d-bags who only attend these concerts to drink, smoke, and be belligerent, but thankfully i was able to avoid most of that sunday night. The set was fantastic: BOWA was a pleasant surprise, and they were absolutely on fire for Two Step, Billies, Halloween, Crush, and Bartender. I even like Eh Hee and Where Are You Going, and this was my first time seeing Out of My Hands so I'm not gonna hate on that either. Only disappointment was that What Would You Say was cut (Can't Stop doesn't do much for me so I coulda lived without it), but that'll give me another excuse to keep going. Can't wait for the next one