Just got back from the biggest show in Greensboro history

Second place now is the Backstreet Boys, apparently.

We drove into the hotel at about 6 pm, geting a late start. Immediately we met a couple who flew in from thier Honeymoon in Jamacia to see the last show of the tour. Wade and Melisa were from Alabama, and asked us for a ride over since their cab was late. They gave us some pizza and Jack+coke (pizza and whiskey, hmmmmm), talked a bit, Wade and I realized we've been to the same shows as we described them, and our wives rolled their eyes.

We got in the car, found the shuttle parking. I got beer and, after trolling around on the floor, found a place with good sight lines, quick access to more beer, and room to boogy. The place was absolutely packed above capasity, a general admission show.

General note 1: Good to see more of the older folks at the show. I'd started to feel out of place a few years back, as the fan base seemed stuck in a time warp while I got older. All ages, races and creeds were present and accounted for, from the Wookies to the balding, rasta man to accountant man. Their was even parent man and woman, escourting their 14 year old daughter on her, well, I'll assume first show. Can't be too sure these days.

General note 2. Hippies with cell phones. It's now apparently part of the uniform.

On with the show.

Chalk Dust Torture can't I live while I'm young

Everyone went crazy in our section, particuarly the 45 year old lady to my right. Set the stage for the night, and what has been this tour. Gone are the lethargic, meandering jams of the 2000 tour, back comes the high energy funk of 97. Fishman really pushed the band through the song, and Trey was up to the task with a blistering solo. Huge glowstick war.

Moma Dance take in sail, mind the skipper, we'll not fail,
he'll bring out wine, all will be fine

This is when I knew it'd be a good show. I figured it would be a good show, though topping Uniondale would be tough seeing that set list. They didn't dust off any rarities on this show, but jammed out on a strong, funky vibe all night. No talking or pranks tonight, just layed down the groove. And quickly.


Foam falling into a deep welllllllllll

always good to hear a good Foam. When they play it right, tight, and with energy, its tasty. Page's playing here was the highlight in this song, as Mike and Trey backed off a bit.

Lawn Boy get so overwhelmed by olfactory hues

Speaking of olfactory hues, the ganga these days must be getting thicker. Very strong and musky. As for the song, "leo" didn't ham it up much, they just treated it like a breather.

Character Zero things are true that I forget

Some hate this song, but it grew on me. It's a brainless rocker, and you need that, you can tap your feet, and at least it does rock. Unlike say, Heavy Things which is just a bad pop song.

Divided Sky the wind blows high

Highlight of the first set. Mike and Trey were jumping around and obviously enjoying themselves. Trey got pelted with a glowstick, but went through the piece very well.

Mist

Liked this better as an acoustic song on Trey's solo tour in 99. I'd actually rather him play it like that, it falls a little flat with the band.

Waves

My favorite of the new songs. Nothing realy special about this version, as it kind of petered out at the end, but I think it will grow like Piper grew. they are still figuring out where to go with this song, but it has potential.

Sample in a Jar

Standard. Everyone danced as Trey zipped through it.

All in all, very good first set, as first sets go.

Set break - needed more beer and food. Decided to ckeck out the upper deck, which turned out to be a good decision as the acoustics were better. And a chick took her shirt off to dance (but alas she wasn't braless)

Rock and Roll - despite all the amputations you could just dance to that rock and roll station

Again, very tight and high energy. Jam went dissodent, and then came back to the main theme, but never was sloppy. Page got everyone going with his Lou Reed impression.

Wilson

Lights were dark and red. Evil looking.

Piper

ATTENTION BEAR! GET THIS SHOW. HEAR THIS VERSION Talk aout evil. Easily one of the best Pipers, and very different. instead of the build, they went into this creepy trance, but with a beat. Very King Crimsish, but danceable. And it melted straight into.

Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 theme to the lay folks)

The band was very tight tonight. They didn't noodle around long, just straight into the jam.

Wolfman's Brother>>Boogie on

I figured in the first set I'd hear this, with the funky theme they were playing, but it's placement here took me by suprise. Trey threw in some Santana teases. Slick and danceable, and seaged into boogie on Reggae Woman as a croud pleaser.

Wading in the Velvet Sea

It's was time for a little break. One of the better slow songs IMO.


>>Run Like an Antelope,

Very little break. They played the middle section for quite a while, as Trey and Page dualed to create tension. I danced and danced.

Carolina* nothing could be finer

Accapella, of course

>>E: First Tube, You Enjoy Myself

Hearing First Tube was great, but ending with YEM was fabulous. The band was very unified during the funk section, they play the best as a unit. Mike rocked out on his solo. Another Santana tease was here. Trippy vocal jam with Another One bites the dust morphing into Proud Mary.

Overall show rating: 8.5 7 for the first set, 9 for the second, and a perfect 10 for the encore.

Getting out was a breeze. No hassles, no complaints. fun show.

 

So, who's the cutest Backstreet Boy, IYO?

 

Wouldn't know. Whose IYO?

 

this is cool, piper. was watching cnn and they were saying most of GSO still dont have power...oh wait, thats not greensboro...never mind.

well, phish was here in denver, at the pepsi center, feb 18, last month and it too, was sold out. missed it. too bad.

no mike's song, eh?




IYO = in your opinion

 

piper king crimson-ish? yeah! and danceable? shit. hope they put this on a cd.

 

there are plenty of shows with 'piper' on the internet.

gdlive.com has some pretty good shows in mp3 or shn format.

 

thanx, bear. i'll have a go look see.

 

Wonder how long it's going to take the cloud of Patuli and Hippie funk to clear out of the greater Greenboro area. :