My first dead show ever and what a great one!! They played on the fourth of july and launched fireworks during U.S. Blues at the end of the second set. I felt like they were all playing with a ton of energy and vigor, and were really gelling well together. They must have been really excited to play to such a huge crowd. Although this was my first dead show, I have listened to tons of old recordings and I have to say I think this incarnation really has reached new heights. They definitely have learned a lot of new tricks over the years! I was completely impressed with Warren, too, as he's really nailed down a nasty tone and was making riffs just explode out of his guitar like I'd never heard! If anyone knows where to find a recording I'd love to find it. Did anyone else make it to Rothbury (btw THE best festival around)? What did you think?
I was at Rothbury!!! The Dead set was off the wall good and everyone in the crowd was loving it so much - you could feel the happy trippy vibes all around!
I really enjoyed the whole show:
Set One:
Sugar Magnolia
Eyes Of The World>
Estimated Prophet
Loose Lucy
Friend Of The Devil
Into The Mystic
Help On The Way>
Slipknot!>
Franklin's Tower
Set Two:
One More Saturday Night
Shakedown Street>
China Cat Sunflower>
I Know You Rider>
Drums / Space>
Viola Lee Blues
Morning Dew
Throwing Stones
Sunshine Daydream
Encore:
US Blues
Not Fade Away
Not a weak moment in the whole show and no bad miscues or anything!!! Sugar Mags and Eyes were a really nice start and things started getting Heavy with Estimated. Loose Lucy had everyone singing along. Friend of the Devil almost had me in tears. Into the Mystic was well, magical. H>S>F was IMMENSE. The intensity of the jam from Help to Slip was just above and beyond anything I'd ever experienced in a live music setting before. When Franklin's got started the whole place just exploded!!!
OMSN was electric and Shakedown had Warren completely in his element and everyone boogieing HARD. Then without a full stop they launched full steam ahead into a funky CC which kept everyone dancing... a little confusion during the transition... I thought I heard a Foolish Heart riff... but then Rider brought the energy right back up. Deep space sounds from Mickey had me trippin hard and the Viola Lee out of Drums was a big surprise and nicely played and sung, beautifully segueing into Morning Dew which was so gentle and profound. The vibe was carried on by a really tight reading of Throwing Stones... which seemed really appropriate considering the occasion. SSDD was an Oh Yeah kind of happy moment.
As Stevo said, US Blues with the fireworks was just right and Not Fade Away had everyone rockin' out and was sweet with the swell back and forth with the band at end!!! Then Phil or Mickey told us to go and something with the good vibes
I am listening to a great audience tape of the show as I type this. Found here: http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=526458