King Gizzard doesn't do warm-up shows. There is no gradually settling into a tour, getting their feet under them, feeling things out. No, King Gizzard will punch you in the face from the opening drum roll and not let up until you're stumbling out into the night, trying to collect your wits.

The Anthem is the opening show of the 2024 North American tour, and it's a statement of intent. The Dripping Tap is quite a way to get things started. This 21-minute version is all about the energy. They drop into a loose jam around the 6:00 minute mark (coming out of Ambrose's second vocal section) that really simmers, with some excellent interplay between the guitarists and Amby's harmonica soaring above. This verison of the Tap is well worth taking a drink from.

Iron Lung continues the jammy feel to the evening, and leads into a run through several of the new tunes from the recently released Flight b741 album. It features the debut of Antartica, and run-throughs of both Raw Feel and Sad Pilot. Although not technically debuts, for most in the crowd this was the first chance to hear songs they'd just gotten a taste of from the studio album. As a sign of things to come, the Flight b741 section is pure rock n' roll fun. 

Somehow, the best stretch of the show is still to come. Kicking off with a fiery version of Evil Death Roll (though when isn't is fiery?), the band really hits its stride with the Ice V -> The River pairing. Ice V is guitar heavy, with all three guitarists adding color to the middle section, and some Amby sax fills for added color. This bleeds into the jumpy opening notes of The River. Any show with The River is going to be a good one, and this version doesn't disappoint. Stu and Joey traded licks, while Cookie hooks into the rhythm section for a propulsive blast of energy. To top it all off, we get Crumbling Castle -> The Fourth Color.

From here, the show reaches its homestretch, and that means it's metal time. Supercell, Mars for the Rich, and Motor Spirit all combined to scare of those in the audience who were faint of heart. If that wasn't enough, Gaia, complete with drum solo, bring the show to its logical conclusion. 

As this tour rolls along, the band will try new experiments, play acoustic shows and marathon shows, and find a space for a synth table. But as a tour opener, this D.C. show encapsulates everything you could wish for in a Gizz show. 

Personal highlights would be The Dripping Tap, Evil Death Roll, Ice V -> The River, and Gaia. But honestly, you should listen to the full show.