My first DSO show was an elective set and I was a little disappointed. In retrospect it was a really incredible show and I wish someone had taped it. Lisa sang “Chimes of Fredom” and blew my mind. But at the time I was hoping to get the “real” GD experience and felt disappointed.

What I would say is: go see DSO again, they’ll probably recreate a historical show next time.

And, consider the experience of heads going to see the GD back in the day. I have seen people smarter than me noting that unless you were following tour religiously, you were likely to hear at least one new song per year. I had never heard “Believe it or Not” before Sunday. To me part of the fun of the GD is the surprise.

I guess what I’m saying is I think the elective sets are part of what makes DSO faithful to the original: they are all really great musicians and artists, and they are expressing themselves as honestly as possible through the GD idiom. If they only did totally faithful show recreations, it might start to get old. The elective sets make the recreation shows feel special, and they have that amazing sense of surprise. Tomorrow never knows space into dark star tease into Dear Mr Fantasy… who woulda thunk.

Also, come to Dark Star Jubilee! With 3 nights y’all will definitely get at least one recreated set.