2023-12-31 - MSG, New York, NY - Post-Show Discussion and Review

[anthrax]

SUNDAY 12/31/2023
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
New York, NY
SET 1: Everything's Right, Tube, Ether Edge > Reba, Taste, Ruby Waves, A Life Beyond The Dream, Character Zero

SET 2: Down with Disease, Harpua[1] > The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday > The Lizards > Punch You in the Eye > AC/DC Bag > Tela > Llama > Wilson[2] > The Sloth > Divided Sky

SET 3: McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters > Colonel Forbin's Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird[3] > Auld Lang Syne > Split Open and Melt, You Enjoy Myself > Loving Cup > Possum

ENCORE: Cavern > First Tube > Tweezer Reprise

[1] Unfinished.
[2] Jo Lampert on additional vocals.
[3] Annie Golden on additional vocals.

Tube contained teases of the theme to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Harpua was unfinished. During the Harpua narration, a bed appeared from beneath the front of the stage, with an actor playing Jimmy and a puppet version of Poster Nutbag. Trey talked about some of the Harpuas of the past 40 years, then interrupted the song before the "I want a dog" lyric. Trey said Jimmy had lacked a strong female influence over the years, and introduced actress Annie Golden as Jimmy's grandmother. While consoling Jimmy, she told him it was time to tell the truth about the owner of Harpua. After telling Jimmy that the old man had given the puppet to Esther and helped Reba make liquid meat, a book was brought forth, and a glowing rhombus rose to frame the entire stage. The band then began the first performance of the Gamehendge saga since July 8, 1994, with Golden and Trey providing the narration and performers acting out the parts of Colonel Forbin, Rutherford, the AC/DC Bag, Tela, Errand Wolfe, and the Sloth. The Multibeast and McGrupp were also performed by puppets. Tela performed acrobatics on wires during her song, with Jo Lampert (as Errand Wolfe) providing additional vocals during Wilson. Colonel Forbin ascended the rhombus during Colonel Forbin's Ascent, and a large Famous Mockingbird puppet flew over the crowd during Fly Famous Mockingbird, which also featured Annie Golden on additional vocals. Before Melt, Trey asked Jimmy's grandmother if she knew that the mountain was a volcano, and the Lizards reappeared to dance to the ensuing Melt jam, eventually leaving the stage one by one as the rhombus was lowered again.

[anthrax]

i admit when i heard the opening notes of tmwsiy, i cried like a little fucking girl.

it was weird.  it was corny.  it was trppy.  it was phishy.  it was awesome!

[birdman]

Oh man that was so fucking good. The hugs, the smiles, the energy through the roof. This is why I see this band. I love these fucking guys

[susep]

Watched it this am with coffee.  So good!  It was wild.  So glad they finally busted it out after years of wanting them to do it on NYE.  Two sets worth even!  I went straight to Harpua:)  I like how they incorporated Punch and Llama as well.  Epic night.        

[PIE-GUY]

Oh man that was so fucking good. The hugs, the smiles, the energy through the roof. This is why I see this band. I love these fucking guys

I missed y'all. Glad you were there representing us! 

[anthrax]

it's absolutely insane that they know their fanbase as well as they do and keep delivering the goods.  this has the potential to get a bit long on a night everyone is partying, so lets...just jam the fuck out of ac/dc bag while tela arrives!

how are they this good?!

[PIE-GUY]

What's the one album on the floor in full-view in Jimmy's room? It's the soundtrack for HAIR! Annie Golden killed it last night, by the way! Perfect on every level. 

[mbw]

What's the one album on the floor in full-view in Jimmy's room? It's the soundtrack for HAIR! Annie Golden killed it last night, by the way! Perfect on every level.

"How was that setbreak $20 beer?"

"Great, I had two of em!"

[Hicks]

Best band ever!

[WhatstheUse?]

Yep. That's what it's all about. I f'n love this band.

How good was that Melt?!

[rowjimmy]

What's the one album on the floor in full-view in Jimmy's room? It's the soundtrack for HAIR! Annie Golden killed it last night, by the way! Perfect on every level.

The record on the floor is the original Broadway Cast Recording of Hair. I wanna know about the gatefold record with the rhombuses on it that Golden was using to hold her script.

I have a lot of thoughts about this thing. What a great band.
So happy watching that last night.

[mistercharlie]

What's the one album on the floor in full-view in Jimmy's room? It's the soundtrack for HAIR! Annie Golden killed it last night, by the way! Perfect on every level.

The record on the floor is the original Broadway Cast Recording of Hair. I wanna know about the gatefold record with the rhombuses on it that Golden was using to hold her script.

I have a lot of thoughts about this thing. What a great band.
So happy watching that last night.

I'm wondering if they haven't done a new studio rendition of TMSWIY. I would love to hear a 40th anniversary TMSWIY Rerecording!

[khalpin]

Brought a tear to my eye watching the video footage.  I can't imagine what it was like in the room.

[anthrax]

For those who would like a refresher on the story...

https://gamehendge.org/gamehendge-lyrics/

[aphineday]

I've had a pretty crazy schedule the last few days - early flight yesterday meant I didn't see this live, then got home early enough to  watch most of the playoff games yesterday, but was wrecked tired. Tonight with the bottle of Prosecco I saved and some bourbon, I'm finally going to see it. Stoked.