This was a killer show. I was in the lawn and the initial stunning sound and look of the place kinda reminded me of a show at Deer Creek. The low attendance factor on the other hand was reminiscent of Usana Amphitheater '03. That said the last time I was here in '14, dead center right behind the pit, never setting foot on the lawn; it was like I was at a completely different venue now. Looking back on both, I liked this lawn experience better. Perfect mellow slope, great view, sound and vibe.

Being originally from the midwest (I attended Farm Aid '98 and many a show in "Farmland") the opener was a little weird for me in a land of palm trees and no farms but it was well played. 555 heated things up. It's dark ending seems to be a great vehicle for the band to get warmed up, much like at Wrigley 2. Ghost was one of the best-and longest -1st set renditions I've heard (brought me back to 10/31/14 a little). The Ass Handed that followed (my first live) was when I knew this was gonna be a great show. Big jam already in the 1st quarter, check. A little humor afterwards, check. My favorite band on point, check.

The Sloth was much cleaner than when I saw it last summer at Alpine -which was nice- and the Martian Monster that followed featured some slicker than usual sample triggering from Page imo and great effects from Trey if I'm remembering correctly. Another great song for the band to mess around with and loosen up to. Reba's beautiful jam got me dancing/frolicking all over the lawn without a care in the world. The Ass Handed that followed got me thinking that this was the band's new musical way of saying "we know we just killed it haha". I could be wrong but whatever, at this point I was in heaven. Honestly another Ass Handed after that Tube wouldn't have bothered me cuz it was a juggernaut; best version I can remember seeing live and by now I'm kinda addicted to the big jam> ass handing . Then again I'm kinda insane so I can see why they let the gag go, for now. To me the Wolfman's funk fest > California Love tease felt like a huge fu** you to LA considering this was already a waaaay better show. That and they obviously left "of LA" out of the lyrics being in Chula Vista and all (not sure if I even heard a city quoted). Wotc crushed as the set closer and just like that I felt like I was back at BGCA and as if the Forum had never happened..

2001 was a stunner (I was thinking Pyite). I rarely get an extended version so this was special for me. 46 Days was also unexpected but it was a filthy, dark monster much like BGCA 2's Fuego coming in at set II's #2 spot. Ck5's new light rig seems to really shine at this moment of a show with its slow screen spreading action. Piper was a slow cooker for a change, crushing Sleep Train 2014's version and both it and Twist got me exploring again. I used my buddy's section 204 ticket to go on a solo "get closer to take pictures" mission and just be the dancing social butterfly I am. It sounded/looked great up close- I made some new dancing buddies along the way- but naturally BDTNL had me quickly dancing back to my friends in the lawn. Just like at Wrigley 1, I love this middle/late 2nd set placement. Pure euphoria. Then they took us back into the darkness with Carini, excellent pick guys! Next up is a Hood with an almost 1.0 era caliber peak. I've seen Loving Cup a lot (including festival 8's best ever) but it's gravy at this point so whatever.

Sleeping Monkey was a welcome cool down as I'd been dripping with sweat since Reba and the Ass Handed Tweeprise WITHOUT A TWEEZER EARLIER was just the cherry on top (Festival 8 Mike's without a Weekapaugh came to mind). A new friend now in my lawn crew I'd met at Harrington's Pub post BGCA 3 said something like, "best 3 minutes of your life!" when they started it. I was blasting off my flare copter slingshot like crazy at this moment, perfectly boomerang catching it for a change. Of my 7 shows attended this summer this was my 2nd favorite, barely behind BGCA 2 and just ahead of Wrigley 2. In my top 10 all time for sure. What a blast; tight playing, jams riddled throughout, again great vibes from the crowd, total dance workout, asshanded for sure. F***in juggernaut of a tour closer, 4.5+ out of 5 for sure. I'm sure the low attendance factor will keep it from climbing above 4.3 but whatever. In closing all I've gotta say is that Dick's could get Shafty > Asshanded or some shit at this point so look out!