Some random thoughts on the show...
-I love this band. The setlist has a lot of repeats from previous tours, the voices are those of people in their 60's, bla bla bla, I don't really care, when Mick started the intro to Second Hand News I was sucked in. These guys are absolutely great still. They all seem so genuinely thrilled to be on stage with each other this year.
-I hate a large part of their audience. I don't spend a ton on tickets and sit in the upper bowl...which was the absolute pits as far as having a disinterested, BORING, audience. These people wouldn't stand up at all. I am pretty sure I pissed off half the row behind me when I stood my 6'5" self up to give Lindsey some appreciation after a blistering solo on "I'm So Afraid." 3/4 of my section was gone after GYOW. Seriously, stay home.
What I remember song-by-song:
Second Hand News - I love this is an opener and I love the little burn intro to it. I hated how they just went into Monday Morning cold in 2009 without the intro it had in the old days. I think this works so much better than opening with The Chain.
The Chain - the crowd gives John so much love during his solo...it also seemed longer than in 2009, like John got another measure or something (I'm sure it is exactly the same and I am just insane/imagining things).
Dreams - So predictable and redundant, but seeing it live is something else.
Sad Angel - I like the new stuff, it's catchy and I noticed a lot of people enjoying it.
Rhiannon - the crowd goes wild when Lindsey plays the opening riffs. This one is like Dreams, when I SEE it in the setlist I grumble about it but when I'm there live, I thoroughly enjoy it and think how pissed I would be if it was left out!
Not That Funny - and let the boring crowd take over. Seemed half the place took off for the beer line/bathrooms when Lindsey jumped into this one. I even got a comment/text from someone there bitching about it. This one is loud, fast, and raucous. I told my friend to get over it! She would have really hated the 10-15 minute versions in 82 and 97!
Tusk/Sisters - I had my setlist off in my head and when they went into Tusk I thought, oh great, now she dropped SOTM. Thankfully I was wrong, and we got this wonderfully resurrected song after 30+ years. I was really (pleasantly) surprised at the amount of people I saw who knew the words to Sisters.
Sara - Okay, I like the song, but it is a total dud in the set. Tusk and Sisters create a lot of momentum and then *THUD* Sara just plods along and IMO drains a lot of energy out of the show.
Big Love - this one is so old hat by now, but I am still amazed at what that guy can do with one guitar and a mic.
Landslide/NGBA/Without You - this section seemed to be incredibly long and honestly, was a bit boring. NGBA craaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwllls along at a snails pace and whatever life Big Love and Landslide give back to the set after Sara, this one absolutely kills. Follow that up with an obscure/unknown tune, and you are treading into serious yawn territory (especially with the dull and borings in my section).
Gypsy/Eyes of the World - hm...okay, these work well in the set, but I feel like they are oddly placed and it's like someone had a setlist on paper and thought, "we need something from Mirage" and just inserted them anywhere.
Gold Dust Woman - this is good, but I reluctantly have to concur with the reviewer in the Post-Gazette...Stevie's dance at the end could be described as plodding.
I'm So Afraid - Lindsey, wow...I'm just in awe watching this guy play the guitar tonight. His solo was incredible and low and behold, the clowns in front of me couldn't even CLAP let alone give him the standing ovation he deserved.
Stand Back - you know what, this song is great, I like it in the set, and I'm not afraid to say it!! I know it's not a "Mac" song (despite being in every tour since 1987 other than 1994), but it's fun, energetic, and the band clearly enjoys it.
GYOW - Wow, we're at the end already! Great as always...I find myself wanting that solo to go on longer and before I know it, Lindsey is up on the risors banging Mick's cymbals and bringing the show to an "end."
World Turning - Mick cracks me up, he's such a goof, and I have no idea what he's saying 80% of the time, but it's great to see him having so much fun.
Don't Stop - I like the song, I like it's place in the set, but I really can't stand Stevie's lyrical adjustments!!!
Silver Springs - I was afraid we'd see this gone again, but it was back. The crowd had thinned by this time but those who stayed were treated to a wonderful performance.
Say Goodbye - This is a nice closing tune...and it's great to see every album since 1975 represented at least once in the set.
Overall, what a wonderful night and great show by a great band. If I were them, I would make some minor set movements though to help craft a smoother show:
SHN/The Chain/Dreams/Sad Angel/Rhiannon/EOTW/NTF/Sara/Tusk/Sisters/NGBA/Landslide/Big Love/Without You/Gypsy/GDW/So Afraid/Stand Back/GYOW/WT/DS/SS/SG
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