Originally Posted by Bleeding Purist

These Days was never going to happen given the state of Jon's voice on Friday night. I was surprised he kept going as he did.

First, I do love the new stage. It keeps the focus on the band with no video close-ups of the band shown at all. There was a separate single screen higher-up for those in the nose-bleeds, the sort they've had for decades now. The on-stage visuals are simple and rather effective. I felt it was influenced by Roger Water's The Wall show with the opening and closing of sections. Mostly though, the stage was kept quite open with an "in-the-round" feel. Staples was sold out so the seats behind the stage were full.

For me, the highlight was the new outro for Keep the Faith. I think the band should do stuff like this with the older songs more often. There is no reason for songs like Wild In the Streets to be getting played with the same live arrangement they've had since their freshman outing on tour. New bits like the outro breathe new life into the songs. Any of those songs in this set that we are so tired of hearing tour after tour would be welcome again if they were given new bits (well, most of them anyway. I used We Got It Going On for a bathroom/beer-run and I doubt any re-working of it will change that response in the future.)

Phil X did an admirable job and, despite the mis-givings here, earned the applause in Dry County. As for the performance of that song, Phil saved it. The versus and chorus just dragged. I was surprised to get it... again. At this point, I will happily give it away to those in need. I've been spoiled on it.

I did miss Richie. It was like I posted on FB: Driving a car with the spare installed. It just doesn't feel right and is waiting to be corrected with the proper tire.

The new songs just didn't work, and most of you know I'm a champion for playing as much of any new album as possible while on that album's tour. Of the 3 remaining, That's What The Water Made Me goes over the best (and most naturally compared to BWC, which is pushed.) It's position as the opening song does help. I was kind of looking forward to YGLABN as an opener though.

Crowd response was decent for Los Angeles. I had low expectations as I knew it was impossible for this show to come near my last show in Lisbon. I'm glad I went as I would have regretted not going to at least one show on this tour, but I have to admit I was ready to go home before Jon was. I was itching to leave by Prayer.