Oakland

Recorded by Daspyknows
Recorded from section B row 28 2 seats off dead center
Sorry for the missed tracks. I did this at night and files already staged by the time I wrote info file.
So Roger decides to play my least favorite venue in the area, what am I to do? I was able to score good seats, so it is hold my nose and go for it. It starts with $40 parking and no other option. Parking outside the venue is a guaranteed car break-in. I got into the lot early and got to watch a couple of kids (Phish heads my guess since in my time they were Deadheads) take out a couple of shirts to sell. Within 5 minutes there are 8 undercover security busting them and taking 3 bags of shirts. Next security getting in is very tight. Walk throughs, wands and every pocket emptied. They took my bottle of waters but found no gear.
Once inside the water which cost 35 cents outside is $6.50 WITHOUT a cap. Screw that. I get to my seat and maintain a low profile. I don't want to fall victim to a "If You See Something Say Something" situations. As it gets closer to show time 2 guys grab the seats right in front of me. One guy is drinking up a storm. He is the screamer during the Speak To Me intro. Finally about 8:20 the lights go down and the fun begins. I notice how good the venue sounds. I don't recall it ever sounding
as good either before or after they renovated the place many years ago. The crowd is really into it but luckily the people around were good. The guy in front excepted. He has two full beers and he is holding them high and spilling everywhere. He lights up and draws the attention of security but within 30 minutes he is passed out in his seat. The start of the set is amazing with the music and visuals. Some of the visuals were familiar from Desert Trip. Next is a couple of songs from the new album. I really liked some of it. This was the only time the crowd sat down in my section. The set ends with Another Brick In the Wall Parts II and III with local Oakland kids on stage. After a short break the second set starts with the Battersea intro and screens drop down the length of the floor. Unfortunately the middle 8 seats can't see a thing. I did get to see the pig this time around. I usually don't get to see the pig taping. The performance of Dogs is out of control. The band puts on Dog masks and some of the band drinks champage. Classic. This is followed by Pigs (Three Different Ones) with the heavy anti-Trump visuals. The Bay Area ate it up and thew loudest cheers happened here and at the end of the set. They followed it up with Money and Us and Them which provided more political expression. One more new song followed by a stunning performance of Brain Damage/Eclipse with the lasers like Desert Trip. Band intros followed by the same conclusion as last fall. Vera and Bring The Boys Back Home are stunning with the vocals of Holly and Jess from Lucious. Finally the show ends with a spectacular version of Comfortably Numb. I try to quickly get out but they don't make that easy. I reach my car and plug in the recording. I am very happy with it and get to listen to almost the entire second set trying to leave the parking lot. One more reason I just hate this venue.

Dodano: 15.2.2019