Furthur's Two Night Run at Time Square's Nokia Theater in New York City

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"Feels like I've been here before..." Well, one could certainly use that to represent Furthur's two night run at Time Square's Nokia Theater in New York City July 28 and 29th. While not attending the first night of Furthur's eventful two night stay at the small theater, it was apparent that the whole crowd knew what happened the previous, whether being there or not. Bob Weir had lost his stability and overall control onstage for reasons not nescesarilly unknown. However, being the classic showman that Weir is, he did not call for a canceling of the show, nor did they shorten it by any means from what I heard. Just a month earlier, it was Coney Island which was in correlation with these two shows as part of a triple-threat package. The overall love that Bob and Phil have shown for New York City is indefinitely present. From the Dead 09 tour where they had three shows in a day, then two Madison Square Garden appearances, and two East Rutethford, New Jersey performances, it was no wonder why the crowds still showed support even during the episode Weir and the crowd both experienced.

The night got off to an interesting beginning when bassist Phil Lesh walked over near Bobby near the beginning of the show, wrapping his arm around him, and spoke to the crowd (with a straight face) "Never drink out of something you haven't poured yourself." Now, this wouldn't be out of the ordinary for the friend of someone for 45 years to joke about, but the humor was not revealed anywhere from Bob Weirs straight face. Given the pre show talk, the crowd appeared to take it as confirming the rumor of Bob Weir being dosed. Nevertheless, the show started up with a rough beginning to "Dancing In The Streets" but found its form at certain parts, finally ...

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... Franklin's Tower," but instead ended the second set with a chill giving "And We Bid You Goodnight."

As the band walked offstage, Bob Weir looked relieved to have made it through the night without another freak accident, and the crowd was on the same page as well. It was a quick banter, as the 7 piece band came back on to finish off the night with an average performance of "Touch Of Grey." I was more impressed by the crowd enthusiasm and that feeling of having a real connection with everyone else attending the show rather than this encore.

It was a night filled with intimacy, nervousness towards the beginning, and satisfaction in the end. Nothing short of a great performance from the two men who have played the New York City area countless times, following this performance with an announcement regarding two nights of Furthur at Madison Square Garden in November.

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