Also, I have to say it was smart putting both SFAM instrumentals in the encore - it gives a lot of breathing space for JLB at the end of a long show, especially after the 2nd half of Awake and "Illumination Theory" (but mostly the Awake stuff, being older and probably harder on his vocal range).
And not counting FAS, we've got 3 instrumentals in the whole show. That must be a record, eh?
Now, the bigger question is...will the show in Boston be the same set list, meaning, the Berklee World Strings and the Berklee Concert Choir would be performing the Awake and SFAM tunes, as well as "Illumination Theory"? If so, that'd be a neat way of celebrating both anniversaries...not that already having these 9 new-to-this-line-up tracks played live isn't already a treat.
Between this tour and last tour, we'll have had 7/8 of IAW, 8/11 of Awake, and 7/11 of SFAM. That's pretty impressive considering this is only this line-up's second tour.
Granted, we're still pretty short on the TOT, 8VM, and SC tunes, but considering they are more recent albums, I'm okay with this. I would have liked another WDADU song since they've only played 2/8 from there, and more FII since "Trial Of Tears" is only the 2nd song this line-up has played.
I guess we'll find out over the next two or three shows whether or not they'll rotate for this leg of the tour, and we'll have to wait til the end of March to see if they change anything up for the NA leg.
If they DO change anything, I hope there's some GOOD RECORDINGS from this leg to put on a later live release, a la "Happy Holidays 2013".
-Marc.