This is my favorite show of the summer so far, and I couched it! Can only imagine what it was like for the attendees- Nothing like a show at the Gorge. After seeing them at kick ass at SPAC, I had a feeling it would only get better- and boy was I right.

SET 1

They kick it off with Architect, a solid choice albeit slightly repetitive. Golgi was funky just how it should be, and I will never get tired of it. I love when they play anything off Junta, haha. The... THE CURTAIN WITH! One of the better compositions Trey has written, for sure. Beautifully executed, the jam and the written parts. KDF is next, and Trey DESTROYS. Seriously. This might be the sickest KDF I've heard all summer. Moma is a crowd favorite, funky as hell with a quick transition to Maze which always gets me riled up! Page has an organ solo in this one (per usual) that is just incredible. Triplets and sixteenth notes played so fast you can hardly see his fingers gliding across the keys! Band is completely locked in, Trey strumming some straight up EVIL chords in the jam. Pretty standard rest of set, Say Something was debuted and well done with some tasty improv, After Midnight was a good high-energy closer.

SET 2

Aaaaaand the awesomeness returns. This set felt like one huge JAM to me, with a damn near perfect segue after every tune. DWD > Undermind take up the first 26 minutes with excellent jamming. Trey is on FIRE for this one, it is ridiculous. Some awesome Type II improv separates this DWD version from the standard. Undermind is always a treat, and the boys like to bust it out at Dick's!

Note that this setlist looks insane on paper - it IS that good. Gotta love Page's work on the Wurly here. Thing sounds pristine. Near the end of the UM jam a huge beach ball floats around the audience, fitting the music perfectly. CK5 does a great job w/ lights as always. Light is cut just a bit short for Sneakin' Sally. Bring da funk! At almost 13 minutes this is a must-hear version with a VOCAL JAM in the middle!! Serious scat-ology going on here! The jam continues into a short 2001, then WOTC > Fluffhead > Antelope take up the next 35 minutes. Probably my favorite closing segment from this year, I actually got up from my chair and danced for this! Won't go too far into it since this is long-winded already but damn was it good!

I wanted to give this show a 4.5 out of 5 but we can't do halves yet. If you haven't heard Gorge 2 yet, prepare your ears and brain for a full melt. Thanks for reading, pholks

~monk