Back (Halfway) Where I Started

[touch of rain]

Well, have made it back to Bend from Mountain View, have a few more days here, then taking the train to Seattle on Sunday and fly back to the UK on Monday. It's all been rather frantic and being the writer that I am, I will give a fuller report once I've settled down. But a few general thoughts:

1) The guys sounds better and better, I think one of the reasons people are following them is they are clearly growing as a band. Some of the jams were just extraordinary! That said, the set lists from Eugene and Shoreline were not my favourites. Four of my top wishes (Terrapin, Eyes of the World, Tennessee and Cumberland) were played at the Gorge and quite a few others at Alpine.

2) I have a lot to say about the crowd, some extremely positive but sadly, a lot quite negative. I observed some absolutely appalling fan behavior (occasionally experiencing it first hand)

A few odds and ends, details to follow:

1) Weird conversation at a bar near Shoreline with a deadhead who is also an ICE attorney and used to be a federal prosecutor in Chicago.
2) Free mushrooms!
3) Far too many replies to the fairly innocuous question "did you enjoy the show" that began with "Yes, but i stll have a problem with John Mayer." Far too many overheard conversations about "when I saw them in (pick a year) and they played (pick a song)
4) Some most excellent trades done on Shakedown
5) Did I mention the free mushrooms?
6) I still love these boys!

Not sure what couches I'll make it to in the next week, but will do my best to pop in to at least Boulder, which once again, will be starting at 1 am for me once I'm home!

Peace and love everyone!

[dr bakes]

Appalling fan behavior on the west coast?, do tell more
In the old days California shows were laid back
Last time on the left coast was Furthur New year's at Bill Graham and the cig smoker's would leave the hall to smoke.
Are you saying you didn't like the setlist in Eugene?

[touch of rain]

I didn't not like anything. I love listening to this band. I just have a particular type of Dead song that I prefer and while I've been a fan for many decades, I don't have quite as extensive a knowledge of the catalog as many others. I'm sure my ideal set list would drive a lot of people crazy ...

The set list in Eugene ... well, a few of the friends I was with had some major personal stuff going on, resulting in a lot of delays getting there, along with distractions during the show. The whole evening is kind of a blur for me. Being very high also likely contributed to that. I do love the nation of Cascadia.

[Denver Man]

Only way to ensure you hear your song is to go on tour It's part of the adventure

Honestly I'm not surprised of 'appalling' fan behavior ... but I'm sure we all have different opinions of what that means.

[dr bakes]

My opinion of appalling fan behavior: 1987 Philly JFK, Dylan and the GD, packed ga field, we are near the soundboard and this guy decides to take a leak right there.

[bones]

My opinion of appalling fan behavior: 1987 Philly JFK, Dylan and the GD, packed ga field, we are near the soundboard and this guy decides to take a leak right there.

better than from the upper deck tho?

[MontrealJared]

My opinion of appalling fan behavior: 1987 Philly JFK, Dylan and the GD, packed ga field, we are near the soundboard and this guy decides to take a leak right there.

Sorry, but I really had to go

[bones]

[touch of rain]

My opinion of appalling fan behavior: 1987 Philly JFK, Dylan and the GD, packed ga field, we are near the soundboard and this guy decides to take a leak right there.

Sorry, but I really had to go

You could have at least tried to hold it in.

[Griff]

Admittedly I want to hear more about appalling behavior. Lol. What?????

For me it's crowding in or talking. The Philly pit was like that. Ugh. I only lasted 3 songs then left. Didn't even go in for the 2nd set.

All 6 West coast shows I went to lasy week were wayyyy better. Gorge was open. Eugene was slightly more crowded but fine. Spent the 2 days at Shoreline on the lawn. Only appalling behavior there were the teenage kids with their dad making fun of us trippy dancers. So distracting maybe.......but hardly offensive.

San Diego was awesome. Wide open in the pit. Ahhhhh.

And Dodger stadium was bad in front of the stage but fine to the side.