That was as good as I've ever seen them. The venue is perfect, I found the "sweet spot" right in front of the mixing desk and I can honestly say I've never heard them sound better - every note crystal clear, I could hear all the instruments and the spaces between them. Acoustically damn near perfect.
A great setlist - for a band that's spemt the last few tours relying on newer songs and heavier songs, it was great to see the likes of As I Am and Constant Motion given a rest. They played one song from each album, so we got plenty of old stuff, and we got some melodic stuff too. The band played so well and so tightly this was like the end of a tour rather than the start. A few new arrangements, new keyboard parts and stuff, to keep things fresh.
And Mike Mangini was the star of the show. The guy was grinning like a loon throughout, clearly having the time of his life. His drumming was spot on, he bought a new energy to the band, the drum solo was humourous and thankfully short, and I've forgotten that other guy already.
Highlights - JP's solo in These Walls, lovely guitar tone, the new arrangements in Endless Sacrifice, particularly the piano on the 2nd verse, Ytse Jam, Great Debate (the only song here I'd never heard live before) and The Count of Tuscany, played with an enthusiasm that was missing at Wembley.
Let's hope DT manage to keep playing these smaller gigs for many years to come - I'd hate to see them go "arena only".
And staggering out of the venue and straight into a hotel is seriously the most civilised way of seeing a band - no worrying about whether to leave before the encore to catch the last train...