SET 1: Punch You in the Eye > Buffalo Bill, A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing > Limb By Limb, Waiting All Night > Theme From the Bottom > Maze, The Line, Stash, Reba, I Didn't Know[1], Character Zero
SET 2: Martian Monster > Down with Disease[2] -> Scents and Subtle Sounds[3] -> What's the Use? > Dirt > Mike's Song > Fuego > Twist -> Weekapaug Groove[2] -> Martian Monster
ENCORE: You Enjoy Myself
This was the third show of the Magnaball festival. Trey teased The Tears of a Clown before Punch You In the Eye. Buffalo Bill was played for the first time since June 22, 2012 (134 shows). Trey thanked the fans, crew, production staff and local officials during I Didn't Know while Fishman "sucked love" on his vacuum. Down with Disease was unfinished. Scents did not have the intro. Immigrant Song was teased in both Twist and Weekapaug Groove. Mainstreet was teased in Weekapaug Groove, which was unfinished. YEM contained a Brick House tease from Mike, Sanity quotes in the vocal jam, and culminated with a quote from The Very Long Fuse and a fireworks display.
Jam Chart Versions
Teases
The Tears of a Clown tease, Immigrant Song and Mainstreet quotes in Weekapaug Groove, Immigrant Song tease & quote in Twist, Brick House, The Very Long Fuse, and Sanity teases in You Enjoy Myself
Debut Years (Average: 1991)
Song Distribution
Stash
4
Fuego
3
Undermind
2
Farmhouse
2
Billy Breathes
2
The Siket Disc
1
The Story of the Ghost
1
Hoist
1
Rift
1
A Picture of Nectar
1
Lawn Boy
1
Junta
1
The White Tape
1
Stash
4
Fuego
3
Undermind
2
Farmhouse
2
Billy Breathes
2
The Siket Disc
1
The Story of the Ghost
1
Hoist
1
Rift
1
A Picture of Nectar
1
Lawn Boy
1
Junta
1
The White Tape
1
Performers
This show was part of the "2015 Summer"
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Show Reviews
, attached to 2015-08-23
Set 1: Mainly distinguished by its second half, with one more Maze from a year of really good Mazes, a Stash that made a very nice diversion into major key (it was longer than I'd remembered it live, actually), one more soaring Reba for a wonderful year for Reba (if, perhaps, not on the Shoreline/Atlanta level), and a very heartfelt rap from Trey in I Didn't Know. Much of the set bore the hallmarks of a tired band (Trey in particular), making you wonder if they'd shot their bolt with the Drive-In Jam.
Set 2: Well, as it turns out, that wasn't the case. After Martian Monster finds yet another place for it that works as Set 2 opener, Disease swoops in as we all knew it would, and this Disease dives into a darker minor-key range, Page and Mike leading the charge, before Page (again) pushes for a more upbeat jam space and Trey follows along, leading to a warm and lovely groove. It sounds for a few minutes that the band might be heading back towards Disease proper, but instead Trey gets a better idea and we head into Scents and Subtle Sounds with an absurdly smooth grace. They really tear into SaSS, too, and a gorgeous take-'em-down-and-bring-'em-up What's The Use? popping out of the back end is just an added bonus.
Dirt gives the band (and us) a breather, then comes an absurdly fun final 36 minutes, starting with an action-packed Mike's Song that leans more 1/2/15 than 8/4/15 (which is fine, honestly, if it's that nasty), then a hopped-up-on-amphetamines Fuego...then things get REALLY good. Twist, having one hell of a summer, pops up, and it almost immediately pulls itself apart, Trey and Mike having a duet of sorts, then we get a monster-movie take on Twist, *then* they rebuild into a bluesy My Soul-esque take on Twist, then they start building towards something really nasty and heavy metal-ish, which very nearly resolves into Immigrant Song as Fish howls the famous opening vocals...and with an almost hilarious inevitability, Weekapaug Groove comes hurtling out in another wicked segue. Weekapaug is as full of piss and vinegar as it usually is, but then Trey gets one more good idea, slows things down, and they roll into a peppier version of Martian Monster, which closes a wild and crazy set. YEM, in the encore, is powered with the same stripped-back lankiness as the Reading 2013 version, and closes one hell of a three-day run.
Final thoughts: Not being quite at the level of two utterly astounding shows is hardly anything to sneeze at, and there is a wealth of riches to be found in this show. If you ever doubted just how much fun Phish can be, look no further than this one.
Review by n00b100
Set 1: Mainly distinguished by its second half, with one more Maze from a year of really good Mazes, a Stash that made a very nice diversion into major key (it was longer than I'd remembered it live, actually), one more soaring Reba for a wonderful year for Reba (if, perhaps, not on the Shoreline/Atlanta level), and a very heartfelt rap from Trey in I Didn't Know. Much of the set bore the hallmarks of a tired band (Trey in particular), making you wonder if they'd shot their bolt with the Drive-In Jam.Set 2: Well, as it turns out, that wasn't the case. After Martian Monster finds yet another place for it that works as Set 2 opener, Disease swoops in as we all knew it would, and this Disease dives into a darker minor-key range, Page and Mike leading the charge, before Page (again) pushes for a more upbeat jam space and Trey follows along, leading to a warm and lovely groove. It sounds for a few minutes that the band might be heading back towards Disease proper, but instead Trey gets a better idea and we head into Scents and Subtle Sounds with an absurdly smooth grace. They really tear into SaSS, too, and a gorgeous take-'em-down-and-bring-'em-up What's The Use? popping out of the back end is just an added bonus.
Dirt gives the band (and us) a breather, then comes an absurdly fun final 36 minutes, starting with an action-packed Mike's Song that leans more 1/2/15 than 8/4/15 (which is fine, honestly, if it's that nasty), then a hopped-up-on-amphetamines Fuego...then things get REALLY good. Twist, having one hell of a summer, pops up, and it almost immediately pulls itself apart, Trey and Mike having a duet of sorts, then we get a monster-movie take on Twist, *then* they rebuild into a bluesy My Soul-esque take on Twist, then they start building towards something really nasty and heavy metal-ish, which very nearly resolves into Immigrant Song as Fish howls the famous opening vocals...and with an almost hilarious inevitability, Weekapaug Groove comes hurtling out in another wicked segue. Weekapaug is as full of piss and vinegar as it usually is, but then Trey gets one more good idea, slows things down, and they roll into a peppier version of Martian Monster, which closes a wild and crazy set. YEM, in the encore, is powered with the same stripped-back lankiness as the Reading 2013 version, and closes one hell of a three-day run.
Final thoughts: Not being quite at the level of two utterly astounding shows is hardly anything to sneeze at, and there is a wealth of riches to be found in this show. If you ever doubted just how much fun Phish can be, look no further than this one.
, attached to 2015-08-23
I wrote about Set I, but for the sake of space, I’ll enter here…. What a great time—
Reba:
My favorite. Been waiting these past couple days. Back in the first set. Let’s see what happens. The playing really pretty clean, actually (sans that one little spot, I think). And then into the jam. More of that really pretty stuff. I’ve always liked Mike here, and there is a lot to like. Lately I’ve been hearing Jerry in Trey’s Reba soloing (that great full sound and warm straightforward confidence). Electric Page going quiet, hitting his notes. And then busy on his piano. Of course Fish playing his own song. Trying to wish away those toms for a few measures, a few minutes longer. They love each other. Whistling. Nice.
Set II
Martian Monster:
The Dogs got First Song of the Year treatment (going back to the New Year’s run), but Martian Monster has garnered the most love. For some time I’ve waited for a song with a ‘natural construct’ to really push the boundaries and demonstrate that total control the band has exhibited of late. With fewer ‘lyrics’ than Bowie or YEM, I always wondered if MM might morph from a structured piece into a true jam vehicle, absent camp and over-the-top affect. Tonight the version moves in that direction—and quickly—with heady, ‘serious’ playing, the tune offering, organically, any number of points for the band to depart. This seemed to be happening…. Page hitting his sample late into the song spoiled my ‘expectations.’ Still a cool listen. While something totally cosmic and over-the-top extraordinary wasn’t necessarily the case, promise yet remains (and, as always, it was a cool way to enter a set of music.) Moreover, the song did allow an interesting segue into….
Down with Disease:
Which, finally on its way, is rife with momentum and sustains all sorts of energy. Trey shifts pitch, Mike enters his space, and the playing, for a time, is fine. Then Trey finds a nice little theme, with Page on his piano complimenting perfectly, and the music is fantastic, Trey not letting up, skipping about through passages with Fish pushing him on, Page really, really on, and Trey finding yet another lilting little bit of a line that he takes, trilling, on and on. And this into a thrilling section rocking. Per these sorts of jams we’ve grown accustomed to waiting for that bit of calm, that space where they play, as I’ve heard it put, ‘without the net,’ and we’ve arrived…. Page off the piano now and playing those chords, the question being is if we’ll take off, and maybe not, but man, talk about a totally AWESOME, FLAWLESS segue into….
Scents and Subtle Sounds:
Which has (at least to me, tonight) this totally cool 70s sort of rocking into. Insert acoustic guitar and it could have been the Eagles (or something). But only for that moment. With Trey’s playing becoming really, really great. It’s now you start to get the feeling that, from this point forward, anything really, really great could happen. And it’s a bit more of that ‘snake charming’ sound before really stylized, mesmerizing playing. And then those huge Gilmour licks. With Trey shifting pitch and then some sound, Trey, as if channeling his MPP, sliding into….
What’s The Use?:
Teased heavily, the band (I hope) coming to the realization that this song absolutely rules this spot. A total thinking-man’s (and by this I mean Trey) breather…. Awesome noise, could just as easily hear the band going into Us and Them, and then the YEAR’S MOST BEAUTIFUL PASSAGE OF QUIET (How Dead Can You Get?) before the beautiful melody sliding back up if only to fall, and this into….
Dirt:
Just a really nice spot for this song…. A perfect melody for the vibe, the sentiment…. Great bass…. Pretty guitar…. Like it’s Europe 98.
Mike’s Song:
Great set. Mike’s now like its own sort of irony. Phish irony. Dramatic yes. Only it is the agents ON stage in control; it is the ‘players’ who understand what the audience wants to know. And here they go…. The band jamming. Trey employing cool effects. Introducing and revisiting ideas. Where to go from here but Hydrogen? Such great theater; what means to create anticipation as Trey with a freak out leads the band into….
Fuego:
A nice segue with its dark Floydian intro. A cool choice, PARTICULARLY if the band explores the evening’s established theme, as opposed to stringing along a set of tunes…. Not meant to be—BUT—Trey opts for what many consider the tour’s MVP….
Twist:
Waiting on the end result, as the song’s always great to hear. More great noise and cool effects into great Trey stylings with more Mike flipping the switch to make of this version something slow, thoughtful and ‘percussively’ musical. An end of the summer special with a freak the f out swing. There’s Page! He was patiently waiting his turn. And then more driving music, I sort of forget where I am at the show. Probably still playing Twist but yeah, you can hear the Immigrant Song and there’s the screaming and then there are those chords and here we are, that’s right….
Weekapaug Groove:
And it’s what you’d expect. Fun. Upbeat. Lots and lots of Mike. And then it’s Trey leading. He’s latched on to a great idea. You wish it wasn’t 11.30. That they’d keep on playing. And they do….
Martian Monster (Reprise?):
Well we’re certainly back where we started…. Trey not only shifting pitches but voices. The end of the night, the end of the festival….
And so it’s a wild series of effects, a different sort of irony to cap things off.
Before:
YEM
We love Phish.
Consider the sonic, straightforward majesty of Simple—with its passionate playing evoking those unhurried shades of grandeur reverberating from 10/31/94—chasing those raucous Dogs which will, like any of its ‘hallowed’ brethren, forever bring a smile to your face (and energy to a set), when, not from a jar, but from Page’s kit, a sample rises. There is another dazzling Roggae—my vote for 2015’s MVP (and still harnessing ‘who knows what’ in terms of potential)—only to precede a Gin that will long be considered a festival favorite.
Consider the Dust and its ongoing ability to wow with its energy and charming (in the ‘snake’ sense) inventiveness. There is the festival-staple Hood, the band swinging freely and modulating easily, all but shoving that crab in my shoe mouth.
—Then—
Discuss all that hasn’t been discussed (What’s the Use? in tracking all the ‘bust outs’ and teases?).
And then take Divided Sky. Last kicking off a show at Red Rocks, but etched in my mind as opening Deer Creek in ‘96. The sun wasn’t setting. It wasn’t even cloudy. Trey simply stating,
—I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again….
before leading the band into one of the tune’s very finest versions.
Day Two beginning with THAT sort of energy.
And then take into consideration all that happens—enough by others has been well written. (Although I must mention the beauty of the rolling, hug-your-neighbor, 70-degrees-with-a-tropical-breeze, Tweezer. A Version which drifts into the buoyant, floating, forget-me-not triumph that is Prince Caspian…. Which all but invited the Reprise…. Which contains a different ‘sort’ of Reprise….)
I have just ‘revisited’ The Clifford Ball. For me, this is the show that, in its pieces, and in its whole, epitomizes the band…. and the best of what we heard this weekend.
All that they were; all that they became; all that they can be, stretched out before the band upon a tarmac; true beacons of light in a world of flight….
There is joy back in the music….
Pure, unmitigated, accessible joy, ethereal and bright.
On to Dicks.
Review by raidcehlalred
I wrote about Set I, but for the sake of space, I’ll enter here…. What a great time—Reba:
My favorite. Been waiting these past couple days. Back in the first set. Let’s see what happens. The playing really pretty clean, actually (sans that one little spot, I think). And then into the jam. More of that really pretty stuff. I’ve always liked Mike here, and there is a lot to like. Lately I’ve been hearing Jerry in Trey’s Reba soloing (that great full sound and warm straightforward confidence). Electric Page going quiet, hitting his notes. And then busy on his piano. Of course Fish playing his own song. Trying to wish away those toms for a few measures, a few minutes longer. They love each other. Whistling. Nice.
Set II
Martian Monster:
The Dogs got First Song of the Year treatment (going back to the New Year’s run), but Martian Monster has garnered the most love. For some time I’ve waited for a song with a ‘natural construct’ to really push the boundaries and demonstrate that total control the band has exhibited of late. With fewer ‘lyrics’ than Bowie or YEM, I always wondered if MM might morph from a structured piece into a true jam vehicle, absent camp and over-the-top affect. Tonight the version moves in that direction—and quickly—with heady, ‘serious’ playing, the tune offering, organically, any number of points for the band to depart. This seemed to be happening…. Page hitting his sample late into the song spoiled my ‘expectations.’ Still a cool listen. While something totally cosmic and over-the-top extraordinary wasn’t necessarily the case, promise yet remains (and, as always, it was a cool way to enter a set of music.) Moreover, the song did allow an interesting segue into….
Down with Disease:
Which, finally on its way, is rife with momentum and sustains all sorts of energy. Trey shifts pitch, Mike enters his space, and the playing, for a time, is fine. Then Trey finds a nice little theme, with Page on his piano complimenting perfectly, and the music is fantastic, Trey not letting up, skipping about through passages with Fish pushing him on, Page really, really on, and Trey finding yet another lilting little bit of a line that he takes, trilling, on and on. And this into a thrilling section rocking. Per these sorts of jams we’ve grown accustomed to waiting for that bit of calm, that space where they play, as I’ve heard it put, ‘without the net,’ and we’ve arrived…. Page off the piano now and playing those chords, the question being is if we’ll take off, and maybe not, but man, talk about a totally AWESOME, FLAWLESS segue into….
Scents and Subtle Sounds:
Which has (at least to me, tonight) this totally cool 70s sort of rocking into. Insert acoustic guitar and it could have been the Eagles (or something). But only for that moment. With Trey’s playing becoming really, really great. It’s now you start to get the feeling that, from this point forward, anything really, really great could happen. And it’s a bit more of that ‘snake charming’ sound before really stylized, mesmerizing playing. And then those huge Gilmour licks. With Trey shifting pitch and then some sound, Trey, as if channeling his MPP, sliding into….
What’s The Use?:
Teased heavily, the band (I hope) coming to the realization that this song absolutely rules this spot. A total thinking-man’s (and by this I mean Trey) breather…. Awesome noise, could just as easily hear the band going into Us and Them, and then the YEAR’S MOST BEAUTIFUL PASSAGE OF QUIET (How Dead Can You Get?) before the beautiful melody sliding back up if only to fall, and this into….
Dirt:
Just a really nice spot for this song…. A perfect melody for the vibe, the sentiment…. Great bass…. Pretty guitar…. Like it’s Europe 98.
Mike’s Song:
Great set. Mike’s now like its own sort of irony. Phish irony. Dramatic yes. Only it is the agents ON stage in control; it is the ‘players’ who understand what the audience wants to know. And here they go…. The band jamming. Trey employing cool effects. Introducing and revisiting ideas. Where to go from here but Hydrogen? Such great theater; what means to create anticipation as Trey with a freak out leads the band into….
Fuego:
A nice segue with its dark Floydian intro. A cool choice, PARTICULARLY if the band explores the evening’s established theme, as opposed to stringing along a set of tunes…. Not meant to be—BUT—Trey opts for what many consider the tour’s MVP….
Twist:
Waiting on the end result, as the song’s always great to hear. More great noise and cool effects into great Trey stylings with more Mike flipping the switch to make of this version something slow, thoughtful and ‘percussively’ musical. An end of the summer special with a freak the f out swing. There’s Page! He was patiently waiting his turn. And then more driving music, I sort of forget where I am at the show. Probably still playing Twist but yeah, you can hear the Immigrant Song and there’s the screaming and then there are those chords and here we are, that’s right….
Weekapaug Groove:
And it’s what you’d expect. Fun. Upbeat. Lots and lots of Mike. And then it’s Trey leading. He’s latched on to a great idea. You wish it wasn’t 11.30. That they’d keep on playing. And they do….
Martian Monster (Reprise?):
Well we’re certainly back where we started…. Trey not only shifting pitches but voices. The end of the night, the end of the festival….
And so it’s a wild series of effects, a different sort of irony to cap things off.
Before:
YEM
We love Phish.
Consider the sonic, straightforward majesty of Simple—with its passionate playing evoking those unhurried shades of grandeur reverberating from 10/31/94—chasing those raucous Dogs which will, like any of its ‘hallowed’ brethren, forever bring a smile to your face (and energy to a set), when, not from a jar, but from Page’s kit, a sample rises. There is another dazzling Roggae—my vote for 2015’s MVP (and still harnessing ‘who knows what’ in terms of potential)—only to precede a Gin that will long be considered a festival favorite.
Consider the Dust and its ongoing ability to wow with its energy and charming (in the ‘snake’ sense) inventiveness. There is the festival-staple Hood, the band swinging freely and modulating easily, all but shoving that crab in my shoe mouth.
—Then—
Discuss all that hasn’t been discussed (What’s the Use? in tracking all the ‘bust outs’ and teases?).
And then take Divided Sky. Last kicking off a show at Red Rocks, but etched in my mind as opening Deer Creek in ‘96. The sun wasn’t setting. It wasn’t even cloudy. Trey simply stating,
—I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again….
before leading the band into one of the tune’s very finest versions.
Day Two beginning with THAT sort of energy.
And then take into consideration all that happens—enough by others has been well written. (Although I must mention the beauty of the rolling, hug-your-neighbor, 70-degrees-with-a-tropical-breeze, Tweezer. A Version which drifts into the buoyant, floating, forget-me-not triumph that is Prince Caspian…. Which all but invited the Reprise…. Which contains a different ‘sort’ of Reprise….)
I have just ‘revisited’ The Clifford Ball. For me, this is the show that, in its pieces, and in its whole, epitomizes the band…. and the best of what we heard this weekend.
All that they were; all that they became; all that they can be, stretched out before the band upon a tarmac; true beacons of light in a world of flight….
There is joy back in the music….
Pure, unmitigated, accessible joy, ethereal and bright.
On to Dicks.
, attached to 2015-08-23
Don't tell the Jam Chasers, but the second set of this show may very well be the finest set of Magnaball. And wouldn't you know it, the one tune that does go relatively deep (the Disease) is perhaps the least interesting part of the set.
It's relentless, with each song offering something unique and essential to the overall frame. I imagine many were disappointed that Mike's didn't launch a jam, but it is a fine version of the song that cuts away to Fuego perfectly (no rip chords here!), which in turn melts into Twist in a satisfying way. And all this between thick slices of Martian Monster, that perfect absurdity.
The real treat, I think, is the second half of What's The Use, which is played with such incredible delicacy and love as to make it one of the highlights of the entire weekend. Even listening to the AUDs, I'm amazed at how quiet the crowd remains, hanging firmly on the spacey ascension that the song promises. Few moments better reveal how deep the connection truly is between band and audience. Incredible stuff. It's hard to imagine a finer version of WTU than this.
It probably won't get the attention and love that the previous night's sets are receiving, and perhaps that's rightfully so. But there is a tremendous amount of top shelf Phish on display during this final frame of Magnaball.
Review by fluffhead108
Don't tell the Jam Chasers, but the second set of this show may very well be the finest set of Magnaball. And wouldn't you know it, the one tune that does go relatively deep (the Disease) is perhaps the least interesting part of the set.It's relentless, with each song offering something unique and essential to the overall frame. I imagine many were disappointed that Mike's didn't launch a jam, but it is a fine version of the song that cuts away to Fuego perfectly (no rip chords here!), which in turn melts into Twist in a satisfying way. And all this between thick slices of Martian Monster, that perfect absurdity.
The real treat, I think, is the second half of What's The Use, which is played with such incredible delicacy and love as to make it one of the highlights of the entire weekend. Even listening to the AUDs, I'm amazed at how quiet the crowd remains, hanging firmly on the spacey ascension that the song promises. Few moments better reveal how deep the connection truly is between band and audience. Incredible stuff. It's hard to imagine a finer version of WTU than this.
It probably won't get the attention and love that the previous night's sets are receiving, and perhaps that's rightfully so. But there is a tremendous amount of top shelf Phish on display during this final frame of Magnaball.
, attached to 2015-08-23
I don't often post reviews of shows. I'm just not objective enough, every show I walk out of, I find myself thinking.."that couldn't have been as good as I think it was..." I realize I'm jaded in the opposite way that a vet should be... That being said, 3 solid months after this show happened (today) I had the opertunity to relisten to the entire second set, all at once, the n the car, with no distractions (other than those associated with driving) and GOD DAMN!!! This may be not only my favorite set of Phish... It may be my favorite set of MUSIC ever. I don't care what anyone says.... If you dropped this set ANYWHERE during 1.0 or 2.0 we all would still be talking about it, and chasing it. Simply amazing
Review by lizardneck
I don't often post reviews of shows. I'm just not objective enough, every show I walk out of, I find myself thinking.."that couldn't have been as good as I think it was..." I realize I'm jaded in the opposite way that a vet should be... That being said, 3 solid months after this show happened (today) I had the opertunity to relisten to the entire second set, all at once, the n the car, with no distractions (other than those associated with driving) and GOD DAMN!!! This may be not only my favorite set of Phish... It may be my favorite set of MUSIC ever. I don't care what anyone says.... If you dropped this set ANYWHERE during 1.0 or 2.0 we all would still be talking about it, and chasing it. Simply amazing
, attached to 2015-08-23
This second set is pure fire. The stuff dreams are made of. The boys are on point and bringing the jams. They are having fun and letting everyone know it.
Am I the only one who noticed the Joe Cocker version of 'A Little Help From My Friends' in Scents and Subtle Sounds?
It happens at 05:34 of this video:
https://youtu.be/_NDFNdinrcA?t=334 />
And here's the original Joe Cocker cover version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL5uQfKPSBg
Review by Mistercharlie
This second set is pure fire. The stuff dreams are made of. The boys are on point and bringing the jams. They are having fun and letting everyone know it.Am I the only one who noticed the Joe Cocker version of 'A Little Help From My Friends' in Scents and Subtle Sounds?
It happens at 05:34 of this video:
https://youtu.be/_NDFNdinrcA?t=334
And here's the original Joe Cocker cover version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL5uQfKPSBg
, attached to 2015-08-23
Prior to the show, I was sitting in some shade with this dude I'd never met before, shooting the breeze...he tells me this crazy story involving guns, an attempted kidnapping of one of his friends...Intense, freaky Southern stuff.
At one point, he's like..."my dad didn't give much advice, but one thing he did say was that if you bring a gun with you, you must be prepared to take someone's life."
Then, PYITE started. Boom. I had to take cover from some chompers and ran towards the soundboard. I remember moving through people to Maze...just going and going and going. Intense stuff.
Scents and Subtle Sounds did some serious MRI brain scanning work on me. Mike's bass did magic tricks and cured some diseases I didn't even know I had. Weekapaug did some brainscan work as well. I love Week because it sounds happy, but it actually shakes you about in a kind of wicked way...like an uncle that gets a little too intense while tickling.
By the end of YEM, I was real sleepy...like how I feel after a day of skiing. Went back to my car for some real solid sleep. What a time.
Review by dutchbug
Prior to the show, I was sitting in some shade with this dude I'd never met before, shooting the breeze...he tells me this crazy story involving guns, an attempted kidnapping of one of his friends...Intense, freaky Southern stuff. At one point, he's like..."my dad didn't give much advice, but one thing he did say was that if you bring a gun with you, you must be prepared to take someone's life."
Then, PYITE started. Boom. I had to take cover from some chompers and ran towards the soundboard. I remember moving through people to Maze...just going and going and going. Intense stuff.
Scents and Subtle Sounds did some serious MRI brain scanning work on me. Mike's bass did magic tricks and cured some diseases I didn't even know I had. Weekapaug did some brainscan work as well. I love Week because it sounds happy, but it actually shakes you about in a kind of wicked way...like an uncle that gets a little too intense while tickling.
By the end of YEM, I was real sleepy...like how I feel after a day of skiing. Went back to my car for some real solid sleep. What a time.
, attached to 2015-08-23
not a lot of reviews, so a review of a review....
@dutchbug
Yours is one of the more interesting, and violent reviews, I've come across; in other words, this was a pleasure to read.
I can't quite tell if you are purposefully mixing your metaphors, interweaving diction ....
SHOOTING (the breeze)
BOOM (punch)
TAKE (cover)
SHAKES (you)
or if perhaps the SaSS coupled with the Groove really did work some magic ....
I'm curious, though.... What makes this fella's tale particular to the 'south?'
Could not the two be mutually exclusive?
Had the band opened with, say, Party Time, would you have fled the scene?
Now 'chompers....' I've only heard of 'them' after watching @Zappa20....
Is this a southern thing as well?
But my sense is you're from the NE or W, as you allude to skiing....
Then again, the uncle tickling, this, while an interesting way to analogize 'Week' seems to have no geographic bounds....
Thumbs up for taking the black diamond trail, here....
Review by raidcehlalred
not a lot of reviews, so a review of a review....@dutchbug
Yours is one of the more interesting, and violent reviews, I've come across; in other words, this was a pleasure to read.
I can't quite tell if you are purposefully mixing your metaphors, interweaving diction ....
SHOOTING (the breeze)
BOOM (punch)
TAKE (cover)
SHAKES (you)
or if perhaps the SaSS coupled with the Groove really did work some magic ....
I'm curious, though.... What makes this fella's tale particular to the 'south?'
Could not the two be mutually exclusive?
Had the band opened with, say, Party Time, would you have fled the scene?
Now 'chompers....' I've only heard of 'them' after watching @Zappa20....
Is this a southern thing as well?
But my sense is you're from the NE or W, as you allude to skiing....
Then again, the uncle tickling, this, while an interesting way to analogize 'Week' seems to have no geographic bounds....
Thumbs up for taking the black diamond trail, here....
, attached to 2015-08-23
After two unbelievable nights (and a day set), Phish came out for the third and final day and gave us a loose a fun show, which didn't hit the musical/jamming highs but manages to embody everything that is right about Phish (and still had it's share of fine jamming).
Punch You In the Eye is a classic fun summer set I opener. I love it and this version had everyone happy. They did a good job with it too.
Buffalo Bill was a fun and rare tune. It's nice to get some more "jokey" stuff, and I think this one captured and set the mood for the entire third day. We were here, celebrating what could only be called an amazing peak year of a band that had been playing together (more or less) since 1983.
ASIHTOS was pretty standard, but gave us a quick run through some psychedelic rock.
Limb By Limb was pleasant, but also pretty standard.
Waiting All Night gave us a Fuego tune and paired with a pretty mellow limb in a complimentary mellow fashion. I like the tremolo guitar outro solo.
Theme was up next and was a decent enough take. Nice solo from Trey, but nothing super outstanding.
After a sort of mellow, lazy, summer, end-of a three day fest sort of opening frame they turned to Maze to crank things up. Boy did this Maze deliver. Maze is another song that they've found some really interesting and compelling spaces to explore. This one featured some maniacal chording from Trey in the Page solo part. Trey then treated us to a short and fiery peak. Great version of a song that has really managed to raise the bar in recent years.
The Line cooled it down a bit. It was what it was. I was ready to pretty much indulge whatever they wanted after the first two nights, so I won't complain too much.
Stash was a perfect shot in the arm. This version was really cool as it took a nice divergence into the major key without sort of lingering too long. They just slid in and out of different modes so well (all weekend) and this Stash was a great example of nice loose but cohesive playing. Another standout.
Reba followed that up. I was very happy, as I had the old Reba Re/max lot tee going on. This one didn't go the SBIX creative route, but it was a nice classic and tight version. They played very well off of each other and found a very satisfying peak. It's your classic 8/10 Reba, where it's just so pleasant and great (but it's not an all-timer, or even the best of this tour). Either way I loved it.
I Didn't Know was fun and gave Trey a moment to thank everyone. Very heartfelt moment, but infused with classic Phish comedy. Fun fun fun.
Character Zero gave us the expected conclusion to a nice relaxed and fun set.
Overall Set I: I guess this one was a little up and down, but the ups certainly beat the downs. Standouts in Maze, Stash & Reba(always) gave us some great jamming. In between we got treated to some fun songs and some Phishy moments. It had a day set vibe, which for me was jsut perfect after two days of mega jams.
On to the final set. I was thinking we'd get at least a few more treats (judging by the tour, festival, and even some of the set I playing). Well this set was one of those "Only Phish could do this" type of sets.
They opened with Martian Monster, which was a really great call. This one got pretty serious too. The space effects and sampling are always cheer inducing, but I'd stick around this version for some truly strong jamming - heck I think this was damn near 10 minutes long. Eventually they churn out some bubbling noises that signal only one thing.
DWD pretty much was a guarantee. This one gave us a really nice dose of jamming as well. They did enough during the classic Disease and type I sections to keep us happy and departed into several interesting sections led by some good themes Trey had discovered. Definitely a nice open version. Very patient. Trey than had a lightbulb moment and in the slickest fashion hits the opening to Scents and Subtle Sounds.
Perfect segue. This Scents was a real treat. They absolutely rocked this one out in dark and dirty fashion. Boy did they pack the jamming in. Definite must hear version that bled perfectly in What's The Use?
Well this was the show highlight most likely for everyone in attendance. Probably doesn't quite translate to tape, but they took this psychedelic and noise drenched song down through several amazing passes with each one diminishing in dynamics. It was a near-hush, with the audience completely engaged during a incredible moments of silence, only broken by the most delicate placed notes that eventually built back into an incredible climax. It was the ultimate catharsis. I haven't heard a better version, nor been a part of a more emotional and powerful moment. The feeling was palatable and so very real.
Dirt gave us a nice moment to pause and take a breath. Perfectly placed. You never look for it (like the Waste in night I set II), but when they find a spot for it that works like this, you are so happy to hear it.
After that serious and emotional opening frame, we then got the classic "Hey let's just let it go and have some fun" Phish. It felt so right.
Mike's was dirty, rocking, loose and packed a major punch. If they play type I versions you want them to sound like this.
Fuego gave us the anthem. I feel like this tune is sort of that 3.0 anthem, how everyone keeps each other going feeding off of fire and passion. Great version and I think both band and fans alike were happy to just belt this out.
Twist had a Great summer. This version wasn't the Mann or some of the longer jammed out versions, but it sure was fun and interesting. Once they finished the brief lyric section they basically deconstructed the song into a Mike and Trey back and forth of sorts. Really cool, fun, and engaging playing and ramped up into a nice weird space. Fishman finds this swing beat and all of a sudden they are playing a bluesy swinging version of the twist chord vamp. Woah! Amazing energy, everyone was just loving it. They move from that into a just rocking heavy jam that culminated in Fishman howling the immigrant song intro over the top giving us a nice primal moment. They don't kick into Immigrant Song proper, however, and instead drive us into a silky smooth segue into Weekapaug (we knew it was coming, but they still managed to surprise us with this). I think the fact that I wrote a paragraph on an 8-10 minute version of Twist speaks for the quality of this version.
Well we were all grooving hard during Weekapaug and this version hit the spot nicely. More strong playing across the board and in a final moment of genius they capped the set of (as only Phish can!) with another sloppy but fun segue back into Martian Monster! It was hilarious and awe inspiring at the same time (which is the ultimate Phish compliment right?).
Well they encored with YEM. Much like the entire three days, they weren't about to mail anything in. This to me was an ultimate recognition of the magic everyone was feeling at this moment. In the Phinest way possible we'll cap off the festival.
Overall Set II: After a couple years, what strikes me most about this set is simply how engaging it is and how it really embodies the band. There's ample jamming (sure maybe not the longest, but seriously almost all songs are very worthwhile takes - DWD, Scents, Twist), hilarious inside jokes (Martian Monster bookends, Immigrant song, Bluesy swinging Twist vamp), masterful segues (->Scents ->WTU?, ->Weekapaug), pure raw emotion (WTU?, Dirt, Fuego), straight-up guitar theatrics (Mike's/Groove) & incredible compositions (YEM).
In an odd sort of way, this set IS PHISH - in the best possible sense. I may not spin it as much as the Tweezer>Caspian, Gin, or some of the other big jams from the previous nights, but this may be the finest set to have been a part of "in the moment". It's even more satisfying in the context of those amazing shows that preceded it.
Overall show: Like I said this was a PHISH show with a capital P. Even set one had a similar vibe, although there was a bit more of a lull in the middle. We got PYITE>Buffalo Bill Maze, Stash & Reba for jams, and I Didn't Know for more Phishy goodness. Throw in some Fuego tunes (for those of us who might forget what year it was). Set II was perfection. Dock it if you want for missing a signature jam moment like the Gin or Tweezpian, but your a downright curmudgeon if you don't like this one top to bottom.
4.25/5 A Phan favorite.
Review by Campster
After two unbelievable nights (and a day set), Phish came out for the third and final day and gave us a loose a fun show, which didn't hit the musical/jamming highs but manages to embody everything that is right about Phish (and still had it's share of fine jamming).Punch You In the Eye is a classic fun summer set I opener. I love it and this version had everyone happy. They did a good job with it too.
Buffalo Bill was a fun and rare tune. It's nice to get some more "jokey" stuff, and I think this one captured and set the mood for the entire third day. We were here, celebrating what could only be called an amazing peak year of a band that had been playing together (more or less) since 1983.
ASIHTOS was pretty standard, but gave us a quick run through some psychedelic rock.
Limb By Limb was pleasant, but also pretty standard.
Waiting All Night gave us a Fuego tune and paired with a pretty mellow limb in a complimentary mellow fashion. I like the tremolo guitar outro solo.
Theme was up next and was a decent enough take. Nice solo from Trey, but nothing super outstanding.
After a sort of mellow, lazy, summer, end-of a three day fest sort of opening frame they turned to Maze to crank things up. Boy did this Maze deliver. Maze is another song that they've found some really interesting and compelling spaces to explore. This one featured some maniacal chording from Trey in the Page solo part. Trey then treated us to a short and fiery peak. Great version of a song that has really managed to raise the bar in recent years.
The Line cooled it down a bit. It was what it was. I was ready to pretty much indulge whatever they wanted after the first two nights, so I won't complain too much.
Stash was a perfect shot in the arm. This version was really cool as it took a nice divergence into the major key without sort of lingering too long. They just slid in and out of different modes so well (all weekend) and this Stash was a great example of nice loose but cohesive playing. Another standout.
Reba followed that up. I was very happy, as I had the old Reba Re/max lot tee going on. This one didn't go the SBIX creative route, but it was a nice classic and tight version. They played very well off of each other and found a very satisfying peak. It's your classic 8/10 Reba, where it's just so pleasant and great (but it's not an all-timer, or even the best of this tour). Either way I loved it.
I Didn't Know was fun and gave Trey a moment to thank everyone. Very heartfelt moment, but infused with classic Phish comedy. Fun fun fun.
Character Zero gave us the expected conclusion to a nice relaxed and fun set.
Overall Set I: I guess this one was a little up and down, but the ups certainly beat the downs. Standouts in Maze, Stash & Reba(always) gave us some great jamming. In between we got treated to some fun songs and some Phishy moments. It had a day set vibe, which for me was jsut perfect after two days of mega jams.
On to the final set. I was thinking we'd get at least a few more treats (judging by the tour, festival, and even some of the set I playing). Well this set was one of those "Only Phish could do this" type of sets.
They opened with Martian Monster, which was a really great call. This one got pretty serious too. The space effects and sampling are always cheer inducing, but I'd stick around this version for some truly strong jamming - heck I think this was damn near 10 minutes long. Eventually they churn out some bubbling noises that signal only one thing.
DWD pretty much was a guarantee. This one gave us a really nice dose of jamming as well. They did enough during the classic Disease and type I sections to keep us happy and departed into several interesting sections led by some good themes Trey had discovered. Definitely a nice open version. Very patient. Trey than had a lightbulb moment and in the slickest fashion hits the opening to Scents and Subtle Sounds.
Perfect segue. This Scents was a real treat. They absolutely rocked this one out in dark and dirty fashion. Boy did they pack the jamming in. Definite must hear version that bled perfectly in What's The Use?
Well this was the show highlight most likely for everyone in attendance. Probably doesn't quite translate to tape, but they took this psychedelic and noise drenched song down through several amazing passes with each one diminishing in dynamics. It was a near-hush, with the audience completely engaged during a incredible moments of silence, only broken by the most delicate placed notes that eventually built back into an incredible climax. It was the ultimate catharsis. I haven't heard a better version, nor been a part of a more emotional and powerful moment. The feeling was palatable and so very real.
Dirt gave us a nice moment to pause and take a breath. Perfectly placed. You never look for it (like the Waste in night I set II), but when they find a spot for it that works like this, you are so happy to hear it.
After that serious and emotional opening frame, we then got the classic "Hey let's just let it go and have some fun" Phish. It felt so right.
Mike's was dirty, rocking, loose and packed a major punch. If they play type I versions you want them to sound like this.
Fuego gave us the anthem. I feel like this tune is sort of that 3.0 anthem, how everyone keeps each other going feeding off of fire and passion. Great version and I think both band and fans alike were happy to just belt this out.
Twist had a Great summer. This version wasn't the Mann or some of the longer jammed out versions, but it sure was fun and interesting. Once they finished the brief lyric section they basically deconstructed the song into a Mike and Trey back and forth of sorts. Really cool, fun, and engaging playing and ramped up into a nice weird space. Fishman finds this swing beat and all of a sudden they are playing a bluesy swinging version of the twist chord vamp. Woah! Amazing energy, everyone was just loving it. They move from that into a just rocking heavy jam that culminated in Fishman howling the immigrant song intro over the top giving us a nice primal moment. They don't kick into Immigrant Song proper, however, and instead drive us into a silky smooth segue into Weekapaug (we knew it was coming, but they still managed to surprise us with this). I think the fact that I wrote a paragraph on an 8-10 minute version of Twist speaks for the quality of this version.
Well we were all grooving hard during Weekapaug and this version hit the spot nicely. More strong playing across the board and in a final moment of genius they capped the set of (as only Phish can!) with another sloppy but fun segue back into Martian Monster! It was hilarious and awe inspiring at the same time (which is the ultimate Phish compliment right?).
Well they encored with YEM. Much like the entire three days, they weren't about to mail anything in. This to me was an ultimate recognition of the magic everyone was feeling at this moment. In the Phinest way possible we'll cap off the festival.
Overall Set II: After a couple years, what strikes me most about this set is simply how engaging it is and how it really embodies the band. There's ample jamming (sure maybe not the longest, but seriously almost all songs are very worthwhile takes - DWD, Scents, Twist), hilarious inside jokes (Martian Monster bookends, Immigrant song, Bluesy swinging Twist vamp), masterful segues (->Scents ->WTU?, ->Weekapaug), pure raw emotion (WTU?, Dirt, Fuego), straight-up guitar theatrics (Mike's/Groove) & incredible compositions (YEM).
In an odd sort of way, this set IS PHISH - in the best possible sense. I may not spin it as much as the Tweezer>Caspian, Gin, or some of the other big jams from the previous nights, but this may be the finest set to have been a part of "in the moment". It's even more satisfying in the context of those amazing shows that preceded it.
Overall show: Like I said this was a PHISH show with a capital P. Even set one had a similar vibe, although there was a bit more of a lull in the middle. We got PYITE>Buffalo Bill Maze, Stash & Reba for jams, and I Didn't Know for more Phishy goodness. Throw in some Fuego tunes (for those of us who might forget what year it was). Set II was perfection. Dock it if you want for missing a signature jam moment like the Gin or Tweezpian, but your a downright curmudgeon if you don't like this one top to bottom.
4.25/5 A Phan favorite.
, attached to 2015-08-23
Yes. I heard that Joe Cocker tease. Have you heard the words he sang?
https://youtu.be/3xJWxPE8G2c />
The set was extremely tight. It seems that after Philadelphia, Trey got much more detailed and solid in his playing, with flubs disappearing from much of his work. First set of 8/23 is extremely solid. Second set does get transcendent for a while. Disease->Scents->What's the Use being the obvious highlight. The intro to Scents may be the tightest ever played. I was surprised, because I didn't know they could hit it that tight.
Pebbles and Marbles at Dicks?
Review by funkbeard
Yes. I heard that Joe Cocker tease. Have you heard the words he sang?https://youtu.be/3xJWxPE8G2c
The set was extremely tight. It seems that after Philadelphia, Trey got much more detailed and solid in his playing, with flubs disappearing from much of his work. First set of 8/23 is extremely solid. Second set does get transcendent for a while. Disease->Scents->What's the Use being the obvious highlight. The intro to Scents may be the tightest ever played. I was surprised, because I didn't know they could hit it that tight.
Pebbles and Marbles at Dicks?
, attached to 2015-08-23
August 23rd, 2015 was the final day of Magnaball. Phish festivals are always a great time and this one was no exception, but I’ll tell ya, by day three my gams were beat.
My reward for showing up at Watkins Glen nice and early on Thursday night was a camping spot as far away from the concert field as you could get. To get to and from the main site was a hike of mythic proportions, made all the worse by the constant stream of campsites I would walk by, each and every one that much closer to the action than mine.
The end result was that I spent a lot of time around my site, and when I went to the mainstage area I tended to stay there, while others with more advantageous spots were free to meander from their tent to the centre of the madness and back on a whim. By this time I had scoped out the best musicians in my camping area and I spent the afternoon revisiting them all and taking part in some fine, fine tent-side jams.
Loaded down with beers I made the hike to the stage and settled in for the final evening of music, a pair of sets that were right up my alley. Big personal faves like Stash, Maze, Theme From The Bottom and Character Zero were capped with a fireworks-fuelled You Enjoy Myself, which I did. Lots.
Hugs and handshakes and a slow, steady tent-bound stagger marked the end of the show, but I’m sure there was more campsite jamming out in the outer reaches at the end of the night. The next morning brought an easy, friendly pack-up and a steady drive home.
Gotta love a Phish festival.
toddmanout.com
Review by toddmanout
August 23rd, 2015 was the final day of Magnaball. Phish festivals are always a great time and this one was no exception, but I’ll tell ya, by day three my gams were beat. My reward for showing up at Watkins Glen nice and early on Thursday night was a camping spot as far away from the concert field as you could get. To get to and from the main site was a hike of mythic proportions, made all the worse by the constant stream of campsites I would walk by, each and every one that much closer to the action than mine.
The end result was that I spent a lot of time around my site, and when I went to the mainstage area I tended to stay there, while others with more advantageous spots were free to meander from their tent to the centre of the madness and back on a whim. By this time I had scoped out the best musicians in my camping area and I spent the afternoon revisiting them all and taking part in some fine, fine tent-side jams.
Loaded down with beers I made the hike to the stage and settled in for the final evening of music, a pair of sets that were right up my alley. Big personal faves like Stash, Maze, Theme From The Bottom and Character Zero were capped with a fireworks-fuelled You Enjoy Myself, which I did. Lots.
Hugs and handshakes and a slow, steady tent-bound stagger marked the end of the show, but I’m sure there was more campsite jamming out in the outer reaches at the end of the night. The next morning brought an easy, friendly pack-up and a steady drive home.
Gotta love a Phish festival.
toddmanout.com
, attached to 2015-08-23
I think this is an average-great show. Stash, Reba is an one-two punch I'd like to see setlisted again, though! Martian Monster sandwich 2nd set is prooty hot, with What's the Use? bookending its previous teasing (and hinting, if you swing that way) from the opening set of the festival. I like seeing all those authentic segues in the second set, too. This version of Mike's Song is a good one, of the shorter versions. I sure would love Mike's to be extended with the second jam on a permanent basis again, though, and soon! This concludes my all-in-one-day relisten and review of Magnaball, and I'm left with the distinct impression of how far we've come since Coventry, and even that Magnaball trumps 8 and Superball for me. Phish is really on the crest of a wave right now (maybe that's an anachronistical statement, since Magnaball occurred in August 2015, but I think you'll know what I mean.) I'm looking forward to listening to and possibly streaming the Baker's Dozen! Viva la woman!
Review by fhqwhgads
I think this is an average-great show. Stash, Reba is an one-two punch I'd like to see setlisted again, though! Martian Monster sandwich 2nd set is prooty hot, with What's the Use? bookending its previous teasing (and hinting, if you swing that way) from the opening set of the festival. I like seeing all those authentic segues in the second set, too. This version of Mike's Song is a good one, of the shorter versions. I sure would love Mike's to be extended with the second jam on a permanent basis again, though, and soon! This concludes my all-in-one-day relisten and review of Magnaball, and I'm left with the distinct impression of how far we've come since Coventry, and even that Magnaball trumps 8 and Superball for me. Phish is really on the crest of a wave right now (maybe that's an anachronistical statement, since Magnaball occurred in August 2015, but I think you'll know what I mean.) I'm looking forward to listening to and possibly streaming the Baker's Dozen! Viva la woman!
, attached to 2015-08-23
This was my first phish festival and I must say I had the worst time ever!! I was so disappointed!! I have a really bad ankle which I've had four
corrective surgeries so I had to sit and wait for phish to come on stage for first set on night one well I ended up getting trampled on and had a whole beer spilled on me!! The first guy that trampled me stepped right on top of me and then got upset with me once I yelled at him!! The second guy was the dude that sprayed beer all over me but he genuinely felt bad and even offered me his can of beer which I turned down!! The third guy walked right in front of me and parked his behind so close to me that his butt was pretty much rubbing up against my lady parts so I tapped on his shoulder and said excuse me and asked him to move forward a little bit to which he backed up into me even more ending up stepping on my bad ankle and knocking me over!! My boyfriend (whom this profile belongs to cuz i dont have my own yet)felt obligated to watch over me and make sure that I was safe instead of enjoying a show with his favorite band... Then right behind my bf was a young fake probably early 20s had a huge bag laid out on the ground in front of her so my bf accidentally bumped into the bag and pushed it back about two inches with the heel of his foot so he wouldn't keep stepping on it just for her to grab his shoulder to get his attention and proceed to scream at him using profanity warning him to not even slightly bump her bag again!! What happened to all the real genuine phish phans?? Cuz I have been to eleven shows now and never have I encountered such rude disrespectful people at a phish show!! I thought we were all phish family!! I'm so disappointed in the way people acted like friends until about an hour before the show started then people where completely rude!! That is not the definition of a phish family at all!!
Review by dmacgil1123
This was my first phish festival and I must say I had the worst time ever!! I was so disappointed!! I have a really bad ankle which I've had four corrective surgeries so I had to sit and wait for phish to come on stage for first set on night one well I ended up getting trampled on and had a whole beer spilled on me!! The first guy that trampled me stepped right on top of me and then got upset with me once I yelled at him!! The second guy was the dude that sprayed beer all over me but he genuinely felt bad and even offered me his can of beer which I turned down!! The third guy walked right in front of me and parked his behind so close to me that his butt was pretty much rubbing up against my lady parts so I tapped on his shoulder and said excuse me and asked him to move forward a little bit to which he backed up into me even more ending up stepping on my bad ankle and knocking me over!! My boyfriend (whom this profile belongs to cuz i dont have my own yet)felt obligated to watch over me and make sure that I was safe instead of enjoying a show with his favorite band... Then right behind my bf was a young fake probably early 20s had a huge bag laid out on the ground in front of her so my bf accidentally bumped into the bag and pushed it back about two inches with the heel of his foot so he wouldn't keep stepping on it just for her to grab his shoulder to get his attention and proceed to scream at him using profanity warning him to not even slightly bump her bag again!! What happened to all the real genuine phish phans?? Cuz I have been to eleven shows now and never have I encountered such rude disrespectful people at a phish show!! I thought we were all phish family!! I'm so disappointed in the way people acted like friends until about an hour before the show started then people where completely rude!! That is not the definition of a phish family at all!!
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The Mockingbird Foundation
Review by makisupaman
My only other Phish festival was Super Ball, so my opinion might be skewed, but I honestly don't know if there is a better venue for this size event than Watkins Glen International. We opted to skip camping and stayed a short 8 miles from the track high above Seneca Lake with waterfalls literally off the porch of our rustic cabin. While some might scoff at the idea of not camping on-site, a comfy bed at night and shower in the morning gave me the energy needed to enjoy these top-notch performances and the sprawling festival grounds to the fullest. I highly recommend it if the opportunity comes again.
As for the show in question here, I couldn't have really asked for more in the context of the previous two nights. While night three perhaps lacked a marquee jam like night one's Gin or night two's Prince Tweezer, the song selection, execution, and cohesion proved equally transcendent. To hear a Stash-Reba combo almost two hours into a set speaks volumes about the health and commitment of this band we all love and it's clear they are sucking up the love and feeding off it as much as ever before. The transitions in set two are as good as it gets for me, with special attention needing be paid to my personal favorite segment of the night in Disease>SaSS>WtU. Simply breathtaking. Easily the best take (twice) on Martian Monster and the encore I want at every show in YEM put a bow on a weekend I will cherish for many years to come.
I can only end with a humble expression of gratitude for this band, this community, and the organizations that help bring a circus of this magnitude to town again and again. As I have less and less time for show-going, I find myself savoring the moments more and more. I hope everyone attending the finale to a pinnacle year in Phishtory out in Denver will do the same. It truly is a great time to be a phan. Enjoy it! My plane is landing soon, my trip was short. Blaze on, chemtrails, etc, etc.