February 14, 2025

Grand Rapids, MI

8 songs · 1h 29m

Drive — Two-guitar shred with a perfectly-executed "Ghostbusters" tease at the peak. Rolling momentum gets the show started nicely before an ultra clean -> into "Doc Brown."
Love Is A Battlefield — Even the Benatar cover received a little extra mustard on this night. Peter lays down a bed of synth effects and bouyant vintage vibes for Rick to emote over, delivering a slowly woven lyrical crescendo thematically akin to the Schuyler Sisters theme in Hamilton, notably showcased in "Satisfied".
One In, One Out — Some of the best amorphous jamming yet. Fans of the Eugene "Borne" will enjoy this next phase in the evolution of the ambience/texture over melody/structure model. Peter's inpsirational synth work melds with full band to evoke the serene feeling of ice floes in the arctic gently undulating in the waves under the aurora borealis, while a pod of whales calls to the heavens. Rick tugs the OIOO theme back in over this 90's new age excursion in a truly stunning fashion, not a dry eye in the house, into "Animal".

4 songs · 1h 8m

Dripfield — First version to ever open a second set and it's immediately right at home. Absolute two-guitar RAGEFEST cools off juat after the 16min mark but Cotter refuses to let the momentum fade and continues his all-out assault on the toms. Peter makes the switch to piano as Rick throws wah-delay riffs around and things explode through another phenomenal peak. Instead of a quick segue, the band then opts for a few minutes of gorgeous major-key play that acts as a prelude to a fantastic "This Old Sea."
This Old Sea — This first “Sea” of ‘25 jettisons the tender vocal reprise that had come to characterize some of ‘24’s finest voyages. The band steers toward the rolling, tempestuous format of past “Seas,” with Rick sprinkling southern rock-tinged runs over Cotter’s crashing waves. Calmer waters welcome a brief but gorgeous buoyant theme that signals landfall via a patient and perfect segue -> to "Creatures."

1 song · 21:01

Hot Tea — A "Hot Tea" encore for a Friday rager must be your average dance party...right? This absolutely unhinged version comes complete with Cotter and Trevor solo breaks before diving headlong into Westville "Rockdale" territory for several minutes of sustained dissonance. Just when you think it's time to rip back into the ending, the band finds a new vein of inspiration and continues to pour tension over everything. An all-timer performance.