Well, Set No. 1 anyway. Those of us who braved the weather were treated to a new twist on the songs we know so well. I thought the accompaniment by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players was fantastic and it made me a little more frustrated that I had to miss Thursday's show because of work. Despite threats of heavy rains approaching, there were only a few drops during the show. But when it was over and we got back to the merch tent, it was already in a full-out downpour.
MTV's Matt Pinfield introduced Mike and let people know about the LoveHopeStrength foundation and that people could be added to the National Bone Marrow registry. I'm proud to say I was one of many who were swabbed on Saturday. I hope I get to help someone fight their battle with cancer, as I have already had it impact too many people in my life.
Anyway, on to the setlist
The Stand
Unsafe Building (the string intro on this was fantastic. It gave an old song some incredibly fresh new life.)
The Deceiver
Permanence in Change (More really good string work here)
Strength (I got video of this. Outstanding rendition of one of my favorite Alarm songs)
Walk Forever By My Side (Before the song, Mike wished Jules a Happy Anniversary. It was No. 20 for them.)
No Frontiers (great work by the cellos in the intro to the song)
Rain in the Summertime (Some rain began coming down as the song started. When the song ended, it was not raining. Who knew Mike Peters had THAT much power?)
Spirit of 76 (The intro with Mike playing guitar and a solo violin was breathtaking. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. THAT was how good it was. Also, this was the song where things started to loosen up a bit. The crowd was being very respectful of the whole "symphony vibe" but there was some rhythmic clapping and some call-and-response during this song.
68 Guns
Nothing lasts forever is all they seem to tell you when you're young
