Somehow an unusually high number of chit-chatters that obviously haven't been into 16hp for long found their way into the concert. Things got under way with a very well-received Botanica set. I personally didn't like it at all: the singer did a pathetic show, the drummer obviously didn't listen to the rest of the band, the PA mix generally sucked. Oh well. After this set I needed a dose of 16hp more than ever! ;)

David Eugene Edwards and his band were greeted with huge cheers from the crowd. The band got down to business with an older tune, "American Wheeze", a rather auspicious start to a show (and presumably, every single show on the tour...). "I Seen What I Saw" was next - I love this tune! Bread & butter Horsepower! This was when a wave of enthusiasm rushed through my consciousness, I opened myself to the music and allowed it to do to me whatever it pleased. It was fantastic - although the chit-chatters just kept on going and obviously didn't give a shit about the people around them. Why do people pay for a ticket and then ... you get the point.

As expected, "Secret South" songs dominated the setlist, which was fine by me. I especially appreciated the return of "Haw" though, I can't ever get enough of this song (which is not the case with, say, "Harm's Way"). Jean-Yves deserves compliments for his drumming; although he is not an excellent drummer technically, he plays as precisely as a clockwork, and he also plays very efficiently: enough, but not too much. Few drummers today can do that (what's the name of the guy from Botanica?).

"Splinters" closed the main set and, although it might not have been the best played song here, it was the most intense moment. By this point my brain was completely melted, all of a sudden an elderly concertgoer next to me collapsed and had to be carried out, a fellow in front of me said something to me which I didn't understand - it all seemed very weird at this point.

Most outstanding encore tunes were "24 Hours" (this one rocked) and the new show closer combo of "Coal Black Horses" which leads into "Dead Run" with no real break between the songs. What a show. Thank you for clapping!

By a DAAU-fan.