If you are trying to decide whether to purchase this one on Live Phish, my vote is a resounding no and you can skip the rest.

First ever Phish.net post. I haven't played an instrument since junior high band drums, I probably haven't seen more than ten shows live since 1995. First show was 10/31/90 and first of probably 5 Harpua's was 10/28/1991 at Elk Ballroom in Telluride. By then I was a jaded vet, standing in front of Trey in the front row of a venue that couldn't have held much more than 1,000 people with my arms crossed and nose in the air paranoid that the boys would sell out and do a video that might get MTV airplay or play something average Deadheads might relate to and I'd have to go see them in hockey arenas. My only show this summer was Toronto, drove my wife (a Gov't Mule fan who I've worn down) and our two sons 9 and 7, would have been there third show, from Pgh. We enjoyed the Falls and hockey hall of fame, but alas, Wally World was closed. Boys fought off tears, so did I, wife put on a good face but wasn't that bummed, but she would have cried if it were Warren. We couldn't make it back for the makeup date.

Sorry for the long winded preamble. I did this show and the whole Chicago run on webcast. Missed most everything from the beginning of Gin jam till Lizards. Thought the show up till Gin was very solid, to that point a well above average 2009-present first set. Was REALLY looking forward to the Gin jam, thought set two Saturday was smooth and Light and especially Mike's playing during Harry were sick in set three, and if the weather hadn't intervened, Sunday was on track to be historic. The guys were playing super tight and Gin was really funky till the Internet (which Al Gore incidentally invented) went out. Thought Lizards was well played, but everything afterwards was standard, which in my opinion is awesome and worth listening to if you can afford it and have the time, but if you missed it and are on a time or financial budget, you can find better. The band's part of Harpua was in my opinion above average, though I'd rather hear a bunch of other tunes at this point in my life. I won't pay to see Second City ever, but admire the effort and attempt at collaberation.

Which brings me to the highlight of this show. With all the rumors about another hiatus or breakup after New Year 2013, didn't Trey at the end of Antelope or Character Zero say under his breath thanks and "we'd like to do something at this venue next year"? Hope I didn't hallucinate that. Love it, love it not so much, hate it, my world is a much better place when these four men make live music together. As painful as the weather this weekend and all summer have been for Phans on tour, the band, and most especially the behind the scenes crew who make it all real, thank you all and please keep it going!!

My apologies for reviewing a show I didn't attend and haven't even heard almost certainly the best part of.