So, i woke up the 31st at about 11, went over to the gate and waited. All day! The wait took a long long long time and after what seemed like ages, we finally got the go ahead to run to the front. I burned everyone; i was still in shape from soccer back then, and got real good seats. In fact, if you look at some of the shows of the boys in front of the crowd, you can see me. I was on the cover of the Relix for the cypress issue too - quite cool!

anyways, i bring my Slave sign, hoping to hear it because it's by far my favorite song. They didn't play it the first night, so I know they'll definitely do it, they had to. This sign is huge! Two big pieces of poster board stuck together with a big black SLAVE on it.

I hold it up the whole first afternoon set, battling with others who had Mound and It's Ice signs. The whole band definitely sees it. It was quite weird having the band look at a sign you made and then look straight at you. I was quite humbled. By far, Page takes the most notice of the song, nodding at it each time and smiling at me. 

He definitely knew that I wanted it to be played, no question. I hold it up a lot, every song, but they decided not to do it.  In fact, it seemed like before SOAM Trey was calling for it, but they didn't. You can definitely hear his chords starting it right before Fishman starts the SOAM drum beat.

Anyways, the set ends and we're pumped. We chill there for 5 hours, watching the hot dog track get set up, eating pizza with all sorts of friendly phans from all across the US, and we just wait. The band rips through the first few songs. I didn't even get a chance to think about the sign until about the time YEM begins, and then i remember it. I look and look all over the place for the sign, but amidst the chaos, it is gone. I was really upset, however, i was still completely determined to hear it.

During Quad topplings, i'm yelling "Slave" all over the place because it was quiet, and honestly, i don't think too many people knew if it was a song or not. Anyway, trey emerged from the bathroom and rips into the chords. I seriously jumped miles high, completely ecstatic. no one else seemed too excited, due to the craziness.

So i'm jumping up and down, the whole song. Loving every minute of it. As the climax approaches, the band notices me and looks down. During one of the peaks, Page distinctly looks down at me. Right at me as if to say, this is for you. I give him the corresponding fist pump and he continues to stare right at me. They knew i was calling for it the whole time, i mean, the sign was just huge!

Anyways, it was sooo amazing to hear them play it. It felt like it was just me and them for that brief period of time, and the other 80,000 people just melted away. I'll never forget that version amongst the many others, and ill never forget Page looking down and pointing in the middle. Quite the memory

- SlavePhanLutz