https://forum.phish.net/forum/permalink/1378039230

Statistics for Phish shows are ultimately nothing more than a nice way to pass the time, but a few stats can illustrate the bands growth. Here's one of my favorites: Phish played 147 known shows in the calendar year of 1990, but only one each in July and August, the two months that Summer Tour traditionally falls within. Because the band's audience was primarily enrolled at colleges (and because a majority of their fans spent their summers on Dead Tour at that time), manager John Paluska actively looked to book gigs for Phish in college towns during the Spring and Fall Semesters, a practice the organization adhered to through 1994. In 2018, Phish can play to just as many fans in a single three-night stand at one venue than they did during all of 1990. But still; playing 147 shows in one year takes dedication!

Of course, stats can only tell part of the story. One aspect of 1989-1990 Phish that I love is Trey's guitar tone, using the combination of his hollow-body electric guitar, amplifier, and effect pedals to create a soaring, seemingly endless sustain. The studio version of Reba on the Lawn Boy album is imo the archetype of this angelic sound, but Trey regularly employed this effect on stage as well. Listen to the Reba from this show, as well as the Divided Sky and Harry Hood, for especially sublime guitar tone and playing from everyone's favorite guitarist.