@lumpblockclod said:

@Scott said:

Has there ever been a finer tour of first sets? EVER??

Well, Fall '97 for one. And Summer '97. And the Island Tour. Probably Summer '98. Certainly Summer '00. I'd argue Winter and Summer '03. Probably some others, but those stick out.

You did ask...

Pardon my hyperbole.

Summer 03 was weak sauce leading up to Star Lake. Summer 97 selectively thrills although the closing week was particularly strong. Island tour is not a tour. Last night's Fee> most of 98. The last week's worth of first sets and all of the last 4 have been stellar, better than Worcester-> Portsmouth, so I got a little carried away. First sets are not an afterthought. See also: Scent, Curtain With. Sorry Alpine II wasn't a perfect show but better than most 1.0 shows in terms of both set I and set II.