Set 1: A very well-constructed first set, anchored by a sweet Reba and a dark, evil SOAM that conjures the spirit of 1993. This is how you'd want a first set to go without a jam like the Gin from two nights ago - high-energy, good song selection, and your hopes raised for a major second set....
This was my 80th show, but the first time I brought my 5 year old daughter. We were set up towards the back half of the field so there was plenty of room, and watching her run and skip and dance and twirl and throw glow sticks into the air, all the while squealing with delight while the band was...
https://medium.com/the-phish-from-vermont/relentless-7-13-14-f4ade4bf833e
Relentless: 7/13/14
A tour, year, era, band just went to the next level
“It takes a few moments of whirling around, Before your feet finally leave the ground, And fending off fears and hearing the call, And finally...
Last night's show was one of the best I've ever seen. The crowd was completely different than the other three nights, more so than the usual Saturday / Sunday turnover. Everything felt right from the beginning. Rain was in the forecast, but it never came during the show. At Slave's triumphant...
https://medium.com/the-phish-from-vermont/holy-second-set-review-7-12-14-ee028aa401c4
Holy Second Set! Review 7/12/14
6 songs, perfectly crafted
Sometimes we say First Sets are unremarkable. Well, in that case, reviews need not remark upon them. The highlight might have been the hilarious...
Loved this show last night! Just to put things into perspective, this was my 52nd show and my first time seeing the boys since Shoreline 2000. I couldn't have asked for a better homecoming. This wasn't a super high energy show, but every song filled with confidence and great spirit. It seemed...
Note: This review is my person experience of the show and not an analysis of the music itself. I think we all know how the music was.
What a show. Hands down the best show I have been in attendance for, and the circumstances could not have been better. My buddy has an in with a venue staffing...
First 5 of the summer. Song placement has been superb this summer. Really nice first set but again it is all about the second. The CDT with about 100 teases really got things going. Tough to call Light a "ripchord" when it goes into a fantastic tweezer. This is where song placement takes over....
Last gig of my seven show run this summer. This is probably the most fun I've ever had at a Phish show out of the 33 I've been to (including 2/28/03, IT and some very solid 3.0 gigs). I honestly feel like it was the best constructed and most soul enriching performance I've seen by any band....
https://medium.com/the-phish-from-vermont/house-money-review-7-11-14-8cd8712f9734
House Money? Review — 7/11/14
Two Transcendent Jams Can Make the Night
Can two amazing jams make up for an otherwise pedestrian night of the Phish? For some, no. These people are all about setlist...
A fantastic, improvisational and exploratory "CDT" that stands very comfortably with the best "CDTs" from any year or era of Phish. Must-hear material, the jam includes multiple sections, with each building smoothly and cohesively to the next.
A nice "old school" version with good dissonance and tension building, and also has some cool chanting by Trey and others towards the end (very '93 - '94ish).
What a difference an era makes. Or not. Mike surprises, early on, offering just a bit more. Pushing through a few sour notes, Trey, playing with his feet almost as much as his hands, lays into an impassioned solo, offset by, no surprise, on-point Fish. Of course Page is nearly front and center, and is right there to bring this Randall's Island play to a memorable close.
Those who believe in wormholes will shout "Timber" when they catch a chilling thrilling glimpse into a future haunted house during the early moments of this quarter speed heartbreaker that evolves into a twirling fountain of incandescent sparks passes through a cyclotron and emerges as a multi-dimensional space funk groove. [A strong, rocking "Ghost" includes jamming that is the likely genesis of "Timber," as well as an extended pulsing and electric outro jam that is well regarded by many.]
For the 2nd time in 2014, the band takes "Harry" for a ride into uncharted waters. This time, while Trey and Page alter the harmony away from the familiar, Fish keeps a steady hand on the rudder, eventually guiding the ship safely back to home port.
Rising from "Ghost's" super spacey >, Trey takes us higher still, his patient soloing inspired and emotive, complimented by Fish's shuffling, upbeat drumming. An early example of the song's potential all but fully realized.
A high intensity "Type I" jam breaks away at 9:45 into some low-key exploration. Page adds color as he switches keyboards, and Trey reignites the intensity with some moderate "hose." Finally, the jam gradually ramps down, closing with a return to "Gin."
The jam breaks at 8:00 into some funky stretching, but Trey quickly seizes on a great riff, which the band coalesces around. As the boys bring the jam up to celebration mode, there is some brief "Woo" jamming before it settles to quieter play with great Page.