Even though I listened to this recording repeatedly to let it sink in, it still doesn’t sit quite well with me. I think mainly because of the acoustics being somewhat off and a distinct echo on the vocals during most of the show, which results in a bit of a sterile listening experience. This is unfortunate since the band adds a new song to the live repertoire as Burning (officially released in 1988 as part of the 7 Songs EP) starts this gig off (Guy changes a couple of lines, yet I can’t quite figure out the words he uses). Solid performances of And the Same and Merchandise follow suit. Ian then addresses some of the dancing and everyone’s safety. Song #1 doesn’t go down well this time around and sounds cluttered. Fortunately the performance picks up again for the next couple of songs, Furniture and In Defense of Humans. Joe then strikes up the by now familiar and pumping bass line of Waiting Room while Ian strolls down memory lane, musing on some of the good times he spent in Annapolis.
(...)

(...)
The band then takes a stab at Break-In and although they finish the song, Ian breaks a string in the process. Brendan and Joe play around for a bit with the arrangements for Lockdown during Interlude 7, after which Break-In is performed once more, this time with guitar. Amy Pickering, a long time DC affiliate and member of Fire Party, joins the band on vocals for an intense rendering of Suggestion, during which Ian seizes the opportunity to address (the tough-guy attitude of) some of the attendees, asking his brother Alec to walk away from what appears to be a confrontation as well. Note that Suggestion still features a guitar breakdown at the end of the song at this point in time (something Ian never seems to get quite right), and as such differs from the studio recording of the song as well as subsequent live recordings. An extended and improvised rendering of The Word provides for a lively set and show closer, even though Ian flubs part of the guitar part and a banshee seems to get hold of the mic for a couple of seconds.

fun evening, filled with friends and laughter

Such a fun show