Headstash

STS9 - Dec. 31 - "Raging dance party with two new songs and a double encore."

Headstash Magazine will have daily coverage of Phish, STS9, The Disco Biscuits, Umphrey's McGee's New Year's Runs as well as SnowGlobe festival in California. We'll also have in-depth coverage of Lotus, The New Deal, moe. and Pretty Lights.

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STS9's New Year's Eve run will take them back to The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia for five nights after a two-year hiatus from the venue. Stay tuned for coverage from all the nights.

December 27 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
December 28 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
December 29 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
December 30 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA

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Photo Credit: Allison Stice

December 31 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA

Set I: Artifact > New Song, Abcees, Inspire Strikes Back, King Pharaoh's Tomb, Circus, Vapors, Aimlessly
Set II: Countdown > Auld Lang Syne, 20-12, Scheme, EHM, Breathe In, When The Dust Settles, Arigato, Moonsockets, Instantly, Rent
Encore I: Shock Doctrine
Encore II: The Spectacle

Crowd Atmosphere: Wildest crowd of the run with more outstretched arms during more songs. Everyone was ready to let loose and STS9 obliged with some banging songs that peaked and re-peaked all night.

Best Song: King Pharaoh's Tomb

Bustout of the Night: The Spectacle

Best Jam: Instantly

Best Moment: Murph began to hand the bottle over to someone backstage after his emotional countdown speech, then grabbed it back, took two long swigs and smiled before finally handing it over. But really, it was all of Murph's speeches. A little under a year ago, he was battling cancer and his and the band's futures were unknown. Now, healthy and prepped for a long future, he's happy and loving life and it shows every minute he's on stage.

Sloppiest Moment: Opening with a new song without any prompting elicited some confused reactions and was an odd choice.

Lights Review: Maybe the best lights of all the nights. The LEDs were much more subtle and Saxton took over with a lot of colorful and vibrantly dynamic choices that brought out the appropriate feeling in each song.

Twitter Recap: A raging dance party, two new songs and a bustout double encore - just what everyone expected and wanted.

Other Notes: After Up Until Now's retro-modern electronic music set the tone for a raging evening, STS9 took the stage with a Hunter-led, bouncy new song that has yet to be given a name.

Though an odd choice to begin one of the most anticipated shows of the year, Saxton's lights were on point and the song had a positive, uplifting feel to it.

Photo Credit: Allison Stice

The familiar sirens of "Abcees" began and the crowd really started to let loose.

Strong, bright lights pounded the crowd in tune with the harsh bass and airy synth. Unlike last night where the audience waited until late in the show to really respond, this perfectly placed song got everyone moving early.

Each section seemed exaggerated and patient with Murph's crashing ending and Hunter's fast-paced guitarwork laid the foundation for Zach to take over with some was assaulting drumming.

Despite Murph's Facebook promises of no repeats for the run, the band did indeed play "Inspire Strikes Back" and later on "Moonsockets," "Scheme" and "When The Dust Settles" for the second time in five nights though the last two were played fairly differently each time.

Though played on the 27th, "ISB" remains one of the most accessible song in their catalog with two distinct and obvious peaks.

Next was "King Pharaoh's Tomb" which was a slow and smooth reggae jam that straight hypnotized the crowd. There's not one central part nor epic conclusion - it's just a jam you start dancing to and lose yourself as it slowly picks up the pace. It's not about the cheap explosion, as it gets even more groove-oriented as the song progresses.

While it might not seem like the best choice for a show like this, it in fact was one of the most well received songs of the night. The setlist construction was really well done.

Photo Credit: Allison Stice

"Circus" followed and had the crowd on edge for it's exhilarating ending and newer breakdown. Another new track, "Vapors" debuted to some raucous cheering with a trancey, Disco Biscuit's like speed to it. "Aimlessly" ended the first set on a high note with an ending section that they wrapped up in unison.

After setbreak, the band came on just before midnight and Murph gave an emotional speech before counting it down and having silver confetti fly from the ceiling.A short "Auld Lang Syne" came before the expected "20-12" as the first song of the new year.

It was clean and crisp and the perfect song structure to get people back into the show. After "Scheme" - this time the familiar version we've heard since it's debut - was "EHM," the most profound self-described "banger" in their catalog.

Phipps' screechy synth built up the best energy of the entire week as the crowd "woo-ed" along with Murph in excitement.

An anthemic "Breathe In" followed, which was a nice juxtaposition of their well-documented distinct styles of music.

Though oft played, "Arigato" had a great jam and somehow elevated the energy in the room after so many expelled it during the peak of "Breathe In."

The set ended with "Instantly" which featured the best jam of the night in a synth-laden journey with some masterful guitar from Hunter and a "Rent" that had everyone grooving into the encore.

The band came back with a "Shock Doctrine" for the first encore and then walked off and came back once more with Murph expressing his love for the crowd and the crowd giving it right back before busting out "The Spectacle."

A song off "Peaceblaster" that doesn't get much play, people swayed their hips as the band methodically went through the song and wound down the evening.

It was a great cap on a solid run that was consistent throughout. Here's to a great 2012 and the upcoming "Great Cycle Spectacles."

 

- Nick Rhodes

 

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Stay tuned as we continue to review STS9's New Year's Eve run and all your favorite bands as they countdown to 2012.

What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments section.