Tier 2: GW1
Great tour opener. Not nearly as “tight” as some are saying (see NICU and Ghost especially), but the show offered a little of everything. Unique setlist. Atypical versions of songs (Zero, Roggae). Incredible improv in Ghost.
Band seemed to run out of gas a bit mid-Light but then recovered in fantastic form with a killer Melt.
Going with Tier 2 to set the baseline for a hopefully strong tour.
GW1
<gap>
GW2
Phish is in a good place when a show like last night is an off night. Nothing went too long, but NMINML, Sand & CDT offered great improv while other tunes delivered peaky moments.
Still, S1 was fairly “first setty” compared to Friday. A tame YEM went into a bonus jam only to fizzle into oblivion and Oblivion. Sub-standard Bowie cut for Santos. Plus some questionable setlisting.
Sometimes you get Diff’rent Strokes. Sometimes you get Webster’d.
GW3
GW1
<gap>
GW2
While nothing touched the Ghost or Melt from GW1, this show simply offered more from start to finish. No JOTY (Jam Of The Year) contenders, but tons of high-energy heat for a Sunday night dance party. Plus, no S2 setlist clunkers that leave you feeling like that time Arnold and Dudley wandered into the bike store owned by Mr. Carlson.
GW3
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GW1, CT1
<gap>
GW2
This show is so hard to rank. Fairly weak S1 despite a surprise Golden Age with a solid jam. Overall, the setlist isn’t winning any beauty contests, and the show took a nose dive when Piper was cut short around 6 minutes in.
But the ~65 minutes from Plasma through Ruby is absolutely elite Phish and their best stretch of play all year. Just a mesmerizing run that will no doubt make it into Power Hour Hall of Fame conversations.
GW3
<small gap>
GW1, CT1
<gap>
GW2
<gap>
CT2
Not playing the “With” in Curtain With in S1 only to drop it in the middle of a Mike’s Groove was pretty cool. Otherwise, this was a fantastic show for fans who aren’t into big jams, show flow, or high energy play.
After going hard for their first four shows, the band seemed to run out of gas after Tuesday’s power hour. Last night screamed “Gimme a break” before their big Alpine run. And so what? They earned it.
Tier 1: <vac>
Tier 2a: GW3
T2b: GW1, CT1, AV2
T2c: AV1
T3: GW2
T4: CT2
- Tame and not very tight S1 despite looking good on paper
- Epic Simple that I’d hastily place as the 4th best big jam of the year after the Mexico CDT, Mexico Wave of Hope & Sphere DWD
- Solid but not remarkable supporting cast in S2
If u want to argue the 40-min Simple is worth more than the GW3 complete show or CT1 power hour, go for it. It’s a good problem to have when the band is playing well and happy days are here.
Tier 1: <vac>
Tier 2a: GW3
T2b: GW1, CT1, AV2
T2c: AV1
T3: GW2, AV3
T4: CT2
Fairly strong—if mellow—first set puts this show in tier 3 above CT2. As for the second set? A few interesting moments spread out between several poor choices and lots of wasted potential—much like the career of Danny Masterson.
GOODBYE WISCONSIN!!!
Tier 1: SL1
Tier 2a: GW3
T2b: GW1, CT1, AV2
T2c: AV1
T3: GW2, AV3
T4: CT2
Only heard the Tweezer, Ether Edge, Theme, and glorious Piper so far, and I’ve heard enough. Between the 39-minute Tweezer that smokes the Alpine Simple and the incredible supporting cast, this is easily the best show of tour so far. A true You Snooze You Lose night at an undersold 10K arena. More please 🤓
Cheers to everyone who hit the show last night and cheers to Phish!
Tier 1: SL1
Tier 2a: GW3
T2b: GW1, CT1, AV2, SL2
T2c: AV1
T3: GW2, AV3
T4: CT2
S1 was full of rarities but also lacked excitement. Mr. C delivered as always, but the true highlight was the Ruby Waves—pound for pound their best jam of tour until a brutal ripcord. Hood encore also felt like one of the better standard Hoods.
The band really came together in STL and raised their level of play. Let’s hope they keep it up and things don’t fall apart.
Chop
aburtch