@Scott said:

As for 2016, the reviewer unfairly compares it to August 2015. Mansfield through Dicks 2016 is better than 2015 before Atlanta. 2016 had more variety and equally good execution of composed music and tight fast solos. 2015 is the better year overall, yes, but the tour improved with time like most tours in most years. 2015 had Shoreline set 2 early on, without which the narrative would have been about the same.

I'm not sure it's fair to compare a 15 show stretch (GW> Dicks16) to a 6 show stretch (Bend> TX15). But the bottom line is this: Take a look at the Best of 2015 blog post from last year. Whether you completely agree with the rankings or not, how many 2016 shows could make that list? Dicks3, sure. Any others? I don't think so. I'll agree, they improved as the tour progressed, but even that west coast swing had some real head-scratchers (Forum, BGCA3-II). Anyway, I'm just calling it as I hear it. YMMV.