WSP - Ugly Rumors NYE

Supposedly Mexico too.  

Found me a Tuesday for around face.  Let's see what happens tomorrow. 

pregame at Smiths olde with the jgbcb

Well I couldn't resist and went last night.   After eating a delicious Persian meal, we met up with some friends for many pre-show laughs.  When we arrived at the venue, the Fox was crackling with energy like I'd never seen. The crowd was incredibly amped up and the Billy rumors had spread wide and far.   Show started promptly at quarter past the hour which is consistent with their previous shows.  The first bit of good news was that Jimmy was there in full force and full health.  He seemed to be playing with a little extra fire as did the rest of the band.  In particular, Dave was bouncing all over the stage like a younger version of himself. JoJo was on point when he got his moments and I wish he had more opportunities. His tone really balanced the music.  The first set was notable by the absence of Billy - despite the extra mic set up staring us down, and the incredible energetic music.  I felt the Halloween shows were a little flat and this was anything but that.  It was a tasty feast of what can make WSP so good.  The second set also started without Billy and made us question the ifs and maybes.   It had a little bit of a heavier feel and the jams a bit more exploratory.  In the middle of the set, the music slowed down and wandered a bit which made sense with the intensity of the rest of the show.  A notable breather in the madness.  As it was winding, Billy snuck in between JoJo's setup and the drum kit and the place lifted off.  Because of the gentle melodic tone, it gave Billy room to build and steer and twist and turn and soon the whole room was upside down. I think there was a review in deadbase about the 94 msg Scarlet Fire being described like an orgasm and there was definitely some of that feeling here. The rest of the night was solid but Billy was turned so far down that it seemed tough to hear him over the booming bass and drums.  I'll be interested to listen back and see if he's a little higher in the mix.   All in all a very fun night.  I'm tired but looking forward to seeing what tonight brings.    

And Ken where is he for NYE? 

Maybe NC per the above post.   String dusters? 

Jim let me know if you are going tonight.   

I think the KC thing must be due to a limited number of tickets, high casino prices, and a bunch of old people with cash to burn.   

Same with WSP.  The show is in a small venue and I know someone who bought a ton of tickets (more than two dozen) which might be driving up the price.   But agree - I think Billy is pushing prices higher.  The first night they fell right before the show.  Not true last night.  I was eyeing some dead center tickets that were $1800 a pop that I figured wouldn't sell.  Was hoping to sit in those seats instead of way back and they were gone with 30 min to burn. Wasn't going to buy them, was just hoping to sit in unused seats.  Prices were $600-800 at show time with very few seats available and no good locations. 

Last night was a different mood but we were deep under the balcony.  Ironically the sound was much better.  Maybe we were in an odd sound black hole the first night. All the videos that have been posted sound great so not sure what was going on for us.  I thoroughly enjoyed the first set even though it had a different pace than the first night.  The playing again seemed far beyond what we had seen in Savannah and, all in all, a good night.  A second Thank you for lettin me be mice elf rap points to a fun night tonight.   Imagine there might be a Psycho Killer (this ain't no disco) considering they have a disco ball above the audience.  We were far back so it was hard to see Billy's mic but there was movement at set break and we could see it after.  Given the mention of him going to UM I figured it would be someone else but was happy to see him back.  There is also a mic far left that has not been used for either night but is clearly present for horns or something else.   

Will be interesting to see if Billy is going to Mexico as rumored.  Hoping not as we're heading to Nashville to see Peter Rowan and was hoping for a sit in then.  

I'm pretty much toast after two nights.  Old man syndrome setting in.   While I think tonight will be a blast, I doubt I'll go minus a ticket falling in my lap.   

>>>>Almost $900 seems a bit much to suck on Jabba The Schools' teat.

No seems about it.  It is definitely too much.   

>>>Bill is back for night three.  

Understatement.  You never want to go to two of three and miss the big one...but it happened.  Last night looks like a smoker.  

12/31/25 Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA

1: Blue Indian, Wondering, We Walk Each Other Home, Don't Be Denied, Down in a Hole, Fishing*, Who Do You Belong To?**, Travelin' Light**

2: Big Wooly Mammoth, King Baby > Ribs And Whiskey***, Tall Boy*** > Diner***, May Your Glass Be Filled, Love Tractor

3: Ain't Life Grand**, Sitting In Limbo* > I Can See Clearly Now*, Paranoid*, War Pigs*, Disco**, Tie Your Shoes**, Porch Song**

E: Red Hot Mama** > Ride Me High* > All Time Low*

* with Billy Strings on guitar/vocals
** with Billy Strings on guitar
*** with Nick Johnson on guitar
[Set 1 acoustic; Last 'I Can See Clearly Now' - 02/26/16, 354 shows; Last 'Paranoid' - 10/30/16, 293 shows; Last 'Sitting In Limbo' - 12/29/15, 372 shows]

>>>they could've played some Lynyrd Skynyrd.   

Seemed like it was an homage to musicians who passed this year.