Well. I can’t believe this show isn’t talked about more.

Roadrunner is a fun cover to start off with. Trey mentions just about everyone he can think of and really belts “I’m in love with Massachusetts.” The crowd predictably ate it up. Moma comes up next and totally rages! No funk jams here! Count me surprised. Stellar version. Rift is well played and will get no complaints from me. But I will level something at B&R. Ballads this early in the show rarely work and this is no exception. Don’t get me wrong I love B&R... but not here. Vultures restores the momentum with some great shreddiness from Trey. I was almost surprised not to here any “woos” at the end (seriously will that trend ever end?). Horn and Beauty once again are solid standard versions. Ya Mar really starts the venturing out for tonight. Really pushing into type 1.5 territory. Never quite breaking Ya Mar proper but pushing that boundary. Great stuff. Stash has a cool build up to a raging close to the set.

Now for the main course. Chalk Dust opening the 2nd set used to be a rarity but from the way it’s played here you’d think it was much more common. Great work from all members on this one. Just about halfway through Trey switches up his tone to something way thicker and heavier and all of sudden it feels like 2.0 Phish. Interesting version because of this. Almost like foreshadowing. Twist emerges from the post-Chalk Dust fog for a funky dance party. Cool contrast from the rocker just prior. Piper, however is the true highlight of the set. Wonderful slow build to start, the band heads off in typical ‘00 style. They rage for awhile and then settle down to funky space and oh man I just can’t get enough of this! Terrific work by Fish. Eventually the space begins to build intensity but before climbing up to peak they instead change directions and head back into space, this time all the way. The space starts out pleasant but then turns spooky with a weird descending line from Trey. And suddenly... What’s the Use! This version has a little jam attached to it as a bonus too. So how do you top off a set like this? Hit ‘em a good ole Loving Cup? Nah give ‘em YEM. Icing on the set 2 cake. And of course GTBT rages as always.

Moma, Ya Mar, and Stash are worth revisiting but the real highlight is the whole 2nd set. Even in late 1.0 the boys can put on a stellar show.