2020-02-20 Quintana Roo, MX - 2024 revisit

 Finally we get to Mexico 2020!! Ive been dying to replay this run forever - I always remembered enjoying it immensely.

First off with the one setter, 2/20/20.
I watched the webcast for this one and absolutely LOVED it! Of course, my original review....you'd think it was the Great Went or something...

Wolfy's Idiot Reviews: 2020-02-20 Quintana Roo, MX

Lets play this with a fresh view, shall we? Fun to see how my opinion might change from 4 years ago!

So, 2/20/20 gets off to an unexpected start with a rare bustout of the Stones classic Torn and Frayed. Not my cup for opener, but I love the song and love hearing it, so...

A very nice Ghost follows. About 11 minutes, this one gets going nicely into a pretty hot bliss -rock zone. Kinda type 1.5-ish. My original review raved about it but I just dont hear it today. Its pleasant enough but not very impressive, imo. Good stuff, but I wouldnt call it must hear.

The following Free, however....whoah boy...hold on to your water wings, X Factor Magic approaching!!!! Ala the Hampton 2018 sample-ridden Golden Age, this Free goes DARK! Diving deep into the abyss they pull out Shipwreck and explore for sunken treasure before returning for air.

An absolutely incredible piece of music. Just insane!!!!

Shake Your Coconuts is stupid as hell but SUPER fun! I love love love it and Victim sounds petty darn good - much better than the Fall tour version. Too bad its the final rendition, this one got going!

Moma was a perfect choice to keep the grooving going out of Victim. A good Moma that does what its supposed to but nothing special.

Gotta Jibboo seems to have extra sauce tonight though. A wonderful reading, just full of that extra something. Excellent version!!!!

A triple header of rarities ensues with an absolutely gorgeous Shade followed by The Landlady and Destiny Unbound.

Shade really fit perfectly in that spot after Jibboo, I swear....Shade is Shade, but that was a great version.

They pick us up quickly with the shockingly potent duo of Landlay into Destiny. Landlady sounded flawless to me and had me going "why wasnt THIS the show opener?!". Destiny was top tier as well - not as exploratory as Charleston, it was still EXTREMELY FUNKY and more than delivered the goods. An absolute highlight!

Sick!

Continuing the groovy flow of fhe set, we move nicely into an excellent Steam. Steam turns in an absolute spectacular rendition - perfectly patient and hot and melty and, well...steamy!!!!! This sucker is hazy!!! Like a steaming hot sauna. Absolutely fantastic!!!!!! They KILL this one! Extra mustard all over!!! Dare I say X Factor Magic!!!!!!! WOW!!! ALL TIMER STEAM. SERIOUSLY.

They pick the tempo up perfectly now with a sick Crosseyed and Painless!!! Talk about yer perfect setlist call! 10 minutes on this one. Nice jamming!

Unfortunately Antelope is rather weak tonight (it has the energy but feels sloppy) and Cavern is Cavern, but Sea of Stars is just MAGICAL!!!! Holy moly yet another X Factor winner over here.....

Great SANTOS and YEM close us perfectly.


All in all, for a Mexico one setter I still think this is a GREAT listen! It really feels like a proper, cohesive "full show" rather than some short warmup, ya know? Obviously the Shipwreck Free is must hear as is probably Destiny, that ridiculous meltdown Steam and Sea of Stars (for sure on that one!!!). Crosseyed is great as well!


I will absolutely go to bat for this as one of the great overlooked shows that everyone should hear.

I would put this at the lower rungs of the upper tier of 2019 shows, honestly. The flow is great for the most part, the song choices are great, there are several must hear jams.....

No its not an all timer but....its just....look, ok, THIS IS AN AWESOME SHOW!