Finally getting around to reviewing a show, and I figured I might as well review my first phish show ever. Oh what a 2 night run! Little did I know that my life would be changed forever.

My friends had convinced me to tag along on their trip to the shows. They had hit our hometown show in Portsmouth earlier that summer. I had unfortunately missed that show and my phriends refused to end our summer without all of us seeing a show together.

I had listened to some phish and really enjoyed a few songs (fluffhead, chalkdust, wilson), but didn't know much about the band or the scene. Driving into the lot, I witnessed a scene I had never seen before and could hardly believe what was going on. I really had to do a double take. We hopped out of the car and began to explore the lot and shakedown and everything it had to offer. As we walked through the lot, my phriends filled me in on the scene and everything we encountered. It was such an amazing environment. Everyone was so friendly and everyone was there for the same reason; their love of phish. Needless to say I had the biggest smile on my face and the music hadn't even started yet. All I knew was that I was thoroughly enjoying myself and I wanted to learn more.

We walked into the venue, found some great seats and got ready for the boys to walk out on stage. Again, I couldn't believe how nice everyone was acting towards one another. People all around us were wishing us to have a good show and conversing with us like we had all known each other for years.

The boys walk out and the crowd goes nuts. The first notes of fluffhead ring out (a tune I was familiar with) and off we were. The crowd joins in, "the banker said, I ain't got that. But I sure got some powerful pills... Ohhh yeah!". I thought to myself, holy sh*t that was the coolest thing I've ever been a part of. The crowd was groovin' like I had never seen at a show before. I was loving every minute of my experience and the night had just begun.

KDF was next, another tune I knew, and the crowd continued to get down. The cool breeze blew in off the water as the sun began to set. I thought to myself was a perfect night. After KDF, was a fun version of Cities. I love the funk and this cities did not disappoint. Funky bitch was a tune I hadn't heard and I loved every second of it. I knew it would become an instant favorite. Funky wound down, and the first notes of Wilson start. The crowd joins in and I'm blown away by it all. Another moment I'll remember forever. Glow sticks begin to fly as the night becomes darker. Trey whips out the toy guitar, "I must inquire Wilson, can you still have fun?" Still one of my favorite Wilson's to this day. Reba comes in and I vividly remember the jam being one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Walk Away, Wolfman's, Possum round out to end the set and we're just pure fun.

Set II was filled with a few songs I knew and many unfamiliar ones. I loved every minute of it. Highlights for me were Mike's, Simple, Rock n Roll, and Weekapaug. Encore was two more unfamiliar tunes, both which I really enjoyed. Show of Life lyrics were really profound and after experiencing everything that night, I knew Phish would now be a big part of my life.

I don't think I was really able to appreciate those two shows as much back then, as I do now. This was definitely because of my knowledge of the band at that time. In the coming months, I really learned to appreciate the band, their jams, and everything about the community and scene as my knowledge grew. Now, 2 and a half years later, I've now seen 38 shows. Phish has caused me to experience so many new things in life. I've met so many great people, traveled all over the country, and made so many memories I'll cherish for the rest of my life all because of this band. So I'll always remember and cherish the night that started it all 08/17/2010.