I'm writing this review on the 2 year anniversary after someone started a thread about the epic Rock and Roll.

This was a really special night for me for a number of reasons. I had been following the rise of Phish 3.0 for awhile via @mkdevos now sadly defunct youtube page. My last show was the Gorge '99 and I was excited to see they were heading that way again after missing out on the '09 run.

My partner doesn't get teh Phish so I decided to write to a friend in MN to see if she could make it. The last show we had been at together was in Kalamazoo, MI of all places in '94. I convinced her that the boys were peaking once again and that she shouldn't miss out!

So the stage was set for a sweet little reunion. Whether the band played well or not didn't much matter at that point.

When they kicked off the first set with Kill Devil I was a little shaky. Let's just say it's not a fav. But once the dust had settled and The Wedge emerged I was back on familiar ground.

My friend has 2 kids now both in their teens. Hard for me to believe sometimes. The older one's favorite Phish song is Bathtub Gin and the younger one's fav is My Friend, My Friend. To hear both of those in the first set was really special for her and I loved to get a little taste of bluegrass with Nellie Kane. As Cavern rolled into Taste the groove was returning to my hips. Then the magic of 3.0 really hit me with my first Roggae. What a beautiful moment that was: Sunset, the Gorge, my bff and Phish 3.0 rolling into a beautifully extended Roggae jam. I remember looking at her with an "I told you so" grin and glance. The rest of the first set was like crossing a threshold for me and became a rocking celebration of life. Nothing prepared us for the treat that was coming in the 2nd set.

I know a lot of folks groan at Number Line but on this day and this occasion it really hit home and spoke to me. As Number Line wound down and the first chords of Rock and Roll started I remember being happy for another first for me. As they meandered into heavier darker territory the grin on my face widened and I marveled at where they were going. When Page started in with the theremin my friend turned to me dead serious and said, "I'm glad we didn't drop acid tonight." I just giggled and thought, yeah, probably a good thing. As the darkness subsided and the Meatstick emerged any shadow of doubt that I had about 3.0 had been lifted. One beautifully crafted segue followed up by another into Boogie On Reggae Woman then gently falling into the fluffy pile of hay at the Farmhouse.

Again the groan fest at Show of Life was lost on me and the song resonated with were I was in that moment. Julius and Character Zero wrapped things up in a pretty little bow.

The boys had once again replenished my loving cup and I could now see that cup was indeed half full! 3.0 is a whole other beast. More mature, more patient but still whip smart and lethal when it decides to unleash.