2024-04-19 - Sphere Las Vegas, NV - Post-Show Discussion and Review

[anthrax]

FRIDAY 04/19/2024
SPHERE
Las Vegas, NV
SET 1: Free, The Moma Dance, Axilla (Part II), mercy, Bathtub Gin, Theme From the Bottom > Split Open and Melt

SET 2: A Wave of Hope, What's the Use? > Ruby Waves, Lonely Trip, A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing -> Prince Caspian, You Enjoy Myself

ENCORE: Wading in the Velvet Sea, Harry Hood


The band took the stage while pre-show music similar to a Free jam played, which continued until they began the song and waterfalls of colored light suddenly cascaded from the top of the dome. During Moma, a moving, 360-degree live shot of the crowd and band was displayed, with psychedelic colors and effects. During mercy, the dome displayed an overhead view of a sparkling ocean, with small birds in pastel colors flying over the water. During Gin, the entire dome became an overhead view of a large wave pool, filled with hundreds of people on food-shaped inflatables drifting and spinning. During the Gin jam, the images of the bathers became blurred and abstract, forming a neon kaleidoscope effect. During Theme, the entire dome became an underwater seascape, with kelp forest, fish, human swimmers, and light from the surface shining down from the top. Theme also contained a DEG tease from Trey. At the start of ASIHTOS, eight jellyfish puppets were raised on each side of the stage, while the dome remained dark. Once the jam began, the light on the dome came up to reveal another underwater seascape, whose plants and fish became luminous as the rest of the light dimmed again. During Caspian, this seascape changed to a view from within the columns and arches of a sunken monument. As YEM began, the entire dome became the view from inside of a car as it entered a "Tunnel of Luv" car wash, with the stage appearing to sit on top of the middle of the dashboard. The car progressed through the wash as YEM continued, with Trey's solo during the wax and wheel scrub, and the bass and drums as the car was dried and exited the wash. Suddenly the car view was gone, and it appeared that the dome was clear, with a puppy licking it from the outside, in slow-motion, for the duration of the vocal jam. During Velvet Sea, the dome appeared to be covered in flowing red velvet, with photographs of the band throughout the years appearing and disappearing among the fabric. By the end of the song, the entire dome was covered in photos. Trey teased The Secret of Life (The Dead Milkmen) in Hood.

[anthrax]

they seemed way more comfortable in the room tonight and the visuals were completely dialed in!  YES!

[jedifunk]

ok, just finished watching the playback (thanks mistercharlie!)

visuals were WAY better than night one.

but let's focus on this WTU! Holy hell! That was incredible 

paired with the visual, and the fact the crowd kept quiet ... wow, stunning stunning version. highlight of the night for sure.

also enjoyed the Waves of Hope that preceded it, nice bliss jamming. and the Velvet Sea with the photos.

can't wait to watch night 3 now

[jedifunk]

also, that axilla! gave it another listen, such spacey ambience and patient playing 

[Caravan2001]

both Axilla and WTU were incredible. Whole show was way more dialed in than the first night from the first note. We had some pretty significant audio issues where we were sitting the first night.

[WhatstheUse?]

both Axilla and WTU were incredible. Whole show was way more dialed in than the first night from the first note. We had some pretty significant audio issues where we were sitting the first night.

Glad to hear the audio improved.

I was dead center, 100's, night 1 and the sound wasn't exactly dialed in.