After a, relatively, short drive from the scorcher in Tuscaloosa, and an uncomfortable night in Clarksville, I found myself basking under an unrelenting Sun, in a park, in downtown Nashville. The cool mountain waters of the Cumberland River slid slowly, silently and unceasingly past a brand new outdoor amphitheater en route to her terminus. Meanwhile, a stream of sweat, flesh and excitement flowed from the pedestrian bridge to its destination - Ascend.
In a city known throughout the country, if not the world, as a Mecca of music, expectations were high. There will be no attempt to hyperbolize the first set. There will be no flowery language to describe Free. No bombardment of colorful, but ultimately meaningless adjectives to describe Wolfman’s Brother. I will not call Funky Bitch “raucous” nor will I call Walls of the Cave “fire.” It was a good, but undeniably 3.0, first set.
Set break: long lines, idle banter, teens standing in awe of my worldliness as I delight them with the details of my travels and Tuscaloosa. They have never seen anything like me. Finally, a chance to sit. The night is hot and I am tired.
Second Set: It was my turn to stand in awe. Before the tour I said “I am doing 6 shows in 8 days (Tuscaloosa - Alpine Valley), and I am going into it knowing full well that this could re-fuel my once burning obsession, or this could be my own Fare Thee Well tour.” Phish provided the fuel and the match. Golden Age (best I’ve Seen) > Light > Shade - coincidence? Mike’s (best I’ve seen) > Piper > Crosseyed and Painless > Weekapaug (best Jam I’ve seen.) You might see where I am going with this.
Four shows, two of which were amazing, and dozens of re-listens later, I can say with confidence that this is the best show I have ever seen.
