Like last night, they again played the bars from "Bourgeois Pig," leading right into "Love Is The Ritual." The air tubes (whatever they're actually called) got a great reaction from the audience, as did Glen's tour around the venue during the song! The guy across the table from me looked around and was surprised - he said he had been to several concerts at this casino, and this was the loudest audience he had ever heard there! Doesn't surprise me a bit!
Lawrence then announced that the next song would be one from their new album, Cyclorama - "Fields of the Brave"! He played the melodic piano introduction, then Todd added in a light snare drum accompaniment as Lawrence began singing the verse. Within moments, the rest of the band joined in on instruments and harmonies, and the song became anything but light! What a thrill to be there for the first performance of this song. Sometimes playing a new song loses some of the audience, but there was enough energy and momentum coming off of "Ritual" that most people really seemed to get into it. Not to mention, it's just a great song on its own! When the song was done, all of the band seemed happy at the response - and possibly also a little relieved it was over! Nice job, and a really good song - this is going to be a killer album!