I have not heard the new IV album yet, so I was anxious to hear a few of the tracks that were performed at this show. "Your Great Escape," "Generica," and "Right Up Ahead" are the three new songs they tackled, and it sounds like IV continues in the much darker, heavier, and more progressive vein of Pull. None of this stuff has the real "catchiness" factor of some of their earlier hits, but, then again, I wouldn't be the slightest bit interested in a bunch of "Seventeen" and "Miles Away" rehashings.

The rest of the set is a smorgasbord of greatest hits, with my favorite performances being "Rainbow In The Rose," "You Are The Saint, I Am The Sinner," and "Hungry." Even more so than on the album version, "Headed For A Heartbreak" is transformed from a mere gorgeous power ballad into a guitar-fueled epic, thanks to Reb Beach's phenomenal solos.

The first set is also broken up by some extended solo performances from both Beach and Rod Morgenstein. John Roth, who is a superb guitarist in his own right, had already been given a few short solo spots during the set, so now Beach could have the spotlight all to himself for his solo. Morgenstein, who came from more of a jazz fusion background, playing with the Dixie Dregs, and Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess (also formerly with the Dregs) before joining Winger, throws down an impressive drum solo that is sure to please his fans.

Winger brings the first set to a rousing close with their classic, tongue-in-cheek, 80's metal anthem, "Seventeen." Kip even changes the lyrics of the third chorus to "she's only thirty-five" to poke fun at their updated ages. After already showing off his instrumental prowess on the bass guitar and keyboards, Kip then straps on an acoustic 12-string guitar for some excellent encore performances of "Who's The One" and "Miles Away".

After a rocking performance of "Madalaine" closes out the show, and the band slaps a few hands in the front rows, Kip hits Reb on the arm to get his attention so that the band can all take a bow together, but Reb just abruptly walks off the stage. Maybe I'm reading a little too much into the incident, but it kind of makes you wonder how long this reunion is going to last.