This was my first-time seeing Mike solo and he did not disappoint! Right out of the gate they started hitting peaks. Scott Murawski takes you there in a unique way and Chicago was along for the ride. Mike does a special shoutout to his Chicago fans to show his appreciation for us. Part of that, Mike said "since we were 'with us' that he was going to share some new songs." The band is obviously built around Mike and the bass is upfront as it should be. Which lead to some pretty funky jams. At times it reminded me more of a P-Funk show than Phish. Then it got trippy with Craig Myers and Robert Walter adding the effects. Some dude that looked like Indigo Montoya fell on me. The band played mostly Mike songs and they were great. You know when you finally hear something live and "get it?" Then there was the Mike Phish songs. I gotta say "Meat" was actually more enjoyable for me than when I've seen it with Phish. Maybe it was the extra magic of the small venue. Maybe something else in the recipe..? "Waking Up Dead" really woke the dead! And "Funky Bitch", what else do you have to say? Hard to say the most outstanding moment for me but the jam with "Steps ->Victim 3d" was nirvana.

Before the encore, Mike said something like "I don't usually do this, but I'll be out there by the thing". (As opposed to driving around in a golf cart? #gordoninagolfcart) So I ran to the merch table before they walked off stage. After 25 years I was finally going to meet someone from Phish! I got a poster signed and a fistbump from one of my heroes.

Thalia Hall was built in like the 1890's and was boarded up for a long long time. There were renovations to open it again. The theater is probably not what it was in its heyday with elaborate painting and such but the sound was spot on. We were about 2/3 back on the floor which was right in the center of the room. Mostly a GA floor with like a 3-row ring and some boxes above. Nice small place to see someone we love like Mike.

I hope Mike makes this an annual visit. It was a very special night. Peace.