First of all, thanks to Pam (a Las Vegas local friend) for smuggling in a real camera so that I could use something a bit better than my crap cellphone CMOS camera. I don’t risk trying to take cameras into shows because they often get confiscated, and I don’t like the security goons “holding my stuff”. Unless the security goon is a 25 year old female Phoebe Cates lookalike. Then she can “hold my stuff” all night.

But that never happens.

I’ve been very sick for the last week, and was actually dreading the show a bit. I wish it could have been any other night, but the band refused to reschedule for me. I ended up standing for nearly 3 1/2 hours, and was pretty miserable by the end of the night.

Luckily, I saw the band last month at the Mandalay when I was in a better physical state, so this was kind of just gravy.

There were two opening acts. One of the opening acts was an AIC crew member who did a 4 song set with just his guitar and a mic (a bit unusual, but entertaining nonetheless), followed by a group called “The Burning Brides” who were also very good.

We started out near the stage, about 6 people back, and left of center. Jerry and William came out first to a loud applause, then sat down. Mike and Sean came out individually during an acoustic strum, and also received a great welcome.

The entire set was acoustic, which is arguably more difficult to pull off vocally, but it all sounded great.

They did a good mix of songs during the 90 minute-ish show, including some that they don’t always play electric such as “Heaven Beside You”, and “Got Me Wrong”. For the encore, they did a cover of “Squeeze Box” and finished up the show with “Would” and of course “Rooster” as the finale.

The crowd was very appreciative, enthusiastic, and loud, and the band noticed and appreciated it in return. The interaction between the band and crowd was very genuine. The set was casual, almost like a basement jam. Hell, Mike’s amp even fuzzed out several times during the show, but nobody gave a damn.

Contrary to what I thought (given that tickets were still on sale up to show time), the Joint was full.

Jerry announced that this would be their last show on the tour because they were “burned out”, and made sure that every member of the crew received recognition.

Mike Inez was in a particularly good mood, throwing picks to the audience left and right, offering up a bottle of water to a sweaty fan at the rail, and even passing a bag of potato chips into the crowd after the encore break.

It was a great show, but AIC is always great so it basically goes without saying.

My only regret is that I was not 100% up for it and didn’t get into it as much as I usually would. After the first hour in front, I had to move to the back near an exit in case I had to dash off to throw up. I had little to no energy and probably appeared to be one of the least enthusiastic people in the crowd. I basically listened and applauded politely, but had no strength to scream or otherwise make an ass of myself.

Nevertheless, I’m glad I did manage to drag myself to The Joint and at least see the performance.

Many people in my generation need this band. Though it’s certainly a business, AIC shows feel like a family, and everyone gets along great … and the affection flows back and forth from the audience to the stage.

We were informed that one of AIC’s crew members had been hit by a car two night’s before after their Denver gig.

I (and probably everyone else reading this) wishes him a speedy recovery, and would like to thank the band for giving us this great set.

I hope the “burn out” is temporary, and they come back next year, and the year after, and the year after …