Tonight was the first Phish show I have seen outside of my home town Dallas, TX. The weather was probably high 70's and the lot scene was surprisingly active for a Monday. The venue's capacity is around 6.3K I believe but tonight there could not have been more than 4K people in attendance. Besides the first couple of rows in the 400s section, it was almost entirely empty. You always want to see a Phish show sell out, especially in such a small venue, but it made the show even more intimate in a way (see ROOT, DFB and Dirt for examples). Now, for the good stuff only. Here is a short, concise review of the set.
I -
NMINML - Good, not great version. Nice way to start a set.
BAB - Move along
Poor Heart - Nice bluegrass tune for the Texans. Standard.
Wolfman's - Good, not great version that had a little extra "mustard". I know that term gets thrown around a lot, but this version really did have a nice section towards the end.
WITS - Very slow, nice breather. Awkward start though. 1st time played this tour.
My Soul - Standard My Soul. Always wanted to hear this one live. Check.
NICU - first of tour and it was played well. Standard NICU that kept the energy going.
It's Ice - Another bustout. This one was tough for Trey at times as I assume due to the limited rotation he has not practiced this much, but it was still great to hear. Really like the small funk jam in the middle.
Ocelot - slow and very standard version. Yet another bustout.
FYF, AH, SIA - These were, to me, the highlights of the first set. Just pure fun and comical Phish. Saw It Again sounded great. Definitely a combo to revisit.
ROOT - Nice, quiet, intimate moment for Trey.
David Bowie - Yet another bustout. This was a really fun Bowie. Nothing great that really stands out but was a very strong way to end a great first set of Phish.
II -
DFB - No one expected this tune would start the first set. I really liked the placement here actually and fed right into a tune I have been chasing forever.
7 Below - I was thrilled when Trey started out playing the opening riff of this song. I have loved 7 Below ever since I heard the albany '09 version. This version doesn't quite get there but provides a great 2nd set jam for everyone in attendance. Really enjoyed this.
Petrichor - Let me say this... I really like this song and was pleasantly surprised with the album version. That being said, this was not a good set placement. It totally drained the energy out of the second set and felt a bit awkward throughout. It was really well executed I will say. The heavy rotation has really developed this tune for the band and I would argue this was the strongest version yet.
Maze - Easily the strongest song of the night. Maze brought the energy right back into the room and really gave this version their all. The peaks and interplay b/w Page and Trey were off the charts. Must listen.
Dirt - And there goes the energy again...
IAWITW - I have heard a lot of people say that they enjoyed i) the placement and ii) this version of the song in general. I disagree. I don't necessarily dislike the song, it's just that it doesn't really give Mike, Trey or Fish much to work with... Also, Trey has GOT TO STOP going back to the marimba.
Piper - Everyone in the room thought they were seguing into 2001... not so fast. Trey started the Piper riff and we knew we were in for a treat. This version did not disappoint and was the second highlight of the evening. Very good jam and worth another listen, or two.
Bug - Again, strange placement. Good version. Kind of let the energy out of the room again. People assumed there would be another song to end set II but as fate would have it... onto the encore.

*Overall, I give this show a 3.8/5. Great tour bustouts and fun moments, but generally lacking in the improvisational prowess which truly define a great Phish show. See you all tonight.