Howdy Folks,
I was lucky enough to catch the first two nights of the run and for some reason have some large disagreements with many a persons view on the second night. The first night was a work of Phish genius. Amps were cranked up as all hell and my ears were ringing throughout the night following the show. I went with two buddies who ended up going to a DiscoBiscuits show after which I find to be completely mind blowing. Being 21 years old I never got a real chance to get into the band before 2004, however my father did in fact drag me up to Coventry for that last weekend of true Phish magic. Being a New Englander there is something truly mystical to me about Phish.
I felt as if the Friday show was a true performance similar to that of and Opera or Broadway show, if you webcasted you can have no idea. There seemed to be a large amount of rich New York banker types there with there exceptionally pretty girlfriends, and to me thats what the band was trying to get across, especially with the theme which wasn't my favorite at all but it made quite a bit of sense especially with the boxes upstairs lit up and with TVs on. No matter Fluff was the best I've heard and Page absolutely tore down the house with Maze> Twist. Moma Dance was my highlight of the first set but I'm always a happy camper when Trey lets loose on Kill Devil.
Onto night two. There seemed to be a fire in the crowd that night and possibly quite a few more doses in peoples bodies and minds. It seemed to me that the band was trying to truly engage the elder heads and get some sing songing going on but at this point the peeps with money to go to a NYR show seem to be younger and far less engaged in the scene, using it as somewhat of a way to be different but never really getting into the show, or knowing how to. I had to copp one of the cheaper tickets so I was at the far back of 214 diagonal to the back of the stage but honestly loved the spot, I had my jam space and wasn't burning up. The first set to me was a call from the band to get everyone truly engaged or even a question if its worth it for them to carry on further with their careers. To me Wading in the Velvet defined that question. I remember Coventry, my first show, where almost 60,000 phans were helping the band through an emotional song, but they made it. Page seemed to be keeping it low along with the rest of the band hoping for all of MSG to get on it and make some real magic, but it never came. I really did love this Saturday show even though it wasn't mind blowing, maybe it was the lights that seemed to be constantly asking the question "what do you expect from us?" Second set I made it down to the 100's front row and at Caspian I was so entralled I threw my hat into the crowd. Maybe next show I'll chill out on the L but this was one night to get yourself right and twisted. I think the problem with the band at this point really has to be the people going to shows. Either their jaded vets or younger kids getting into the scene post 09 and really not knowing what the band is all about. It befuddles me when everyone spanks their meat to '97, I have to say of everything I've ever listened to I wish I was back in 1994 getting down and following the band wherever they happened to go. I think this saturday show had the sloppiness of '94 but the magic of everything that came after. Could have been a better show but absolutely not a dud.
Peace and love,
RDL