Venues

Wachovia Spectrum

Philadelphia, PA, USA

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Top Rated Shows

Highest rated shows at this venue by Phish.net users:

Date Rating
1997-12-02 339 votes 4.5900/5
1997-12-03 292 votes 4.5651/5
1999-12-11 353 votes 4.5354/5
1996-12-29 147 votes 4.5238/5
1995-12-15 109 votes 4.2202/5
1996-12-28 100 votes 3.9100/5
1999-12-10 129 votes 3.6047/5
2003-02-25 180 votes 3.5833/5
2003-11-29 179 votes 2.7151/5

Top Reviews

Highest-rated reviews from shows at this venue:

1999-12-11 by Lontenza 40
If you are looking up a 10 year old Phish show, perhaps it is a tape or an argument that has aroused your interest. People who were there, who are heavy into the band, this is sacred stuff....By '99 a lot of older fans were raving that the best days had passed--while some pointed to just two...
1999-12-11 by n00b100 32
At the current writing of this review, there is a thread on the forum where people post their dream setlists; to me, no dream setlist I could create would be able to touch the setlist Phish cooked up on this night at the Spectrum. The second set, in particular, is absolutely fantastic - five (!)...
1997-12-02 by n00b100 28
The argument for Best Show of Fall '97 will continue for as long as people still care about either Phish or the Fall '97 tour; the argument of Most Underrated Show of Fall '97, in my humble estimation, should pretty much begin and end with the December 2nd Spectrum show (what *is* it about Phish...
1995-12-15 by GreatWent19 27
Trey comes out in a Flyers - LeClair jersey... the old Spectrum had lights that dimmed rather than immediately shut off. So when the band took the stage, there was still lights on, dimming ever so slightly... Chalkdust erupts and my 15yr old self at his first show sees all these people...
1997-12-02 by waxbanks 25
The transition from Ya Mar to Weekapaug Groove in this show might well be the most joyful few minutes of Fall '97. And that's sayin' somethin'. The only other thing to say is that - improbably - that segue is no more vivid or exciting than the set leading up to it. It's as good as the shows...
1997-12-03 by PeopleforaClearerPhish 24
In all, this is my show. The One. I do love it so. The Drowned on 12/3 is top 5 Phish jams ever for me. If the regular '97 funk (if one can even say those words convincingly) is like mid-tempo dance music, a la Mushroom Jazz, then the Drowned funk here pushes past groovy house into...
1997-12-02 by westbrook 13
These two Philly shows don't get the attention of say the Denver, Hampton, or Auburn Hills shows, but they include music that is up to par with the best of the tour. They both contain at least one phenomenal set. For example, this show's second set is ridiculous. But, first things first......
1997-12-02 by Lando_Lizards 12
It's been over 17 years since this show took place and it was my first Phish show. Since then, I've listened to this show more than any other show. So, I guess it's about time to review it. I was a fan of Phish's music for about a year and a half before going to this show. I had listened to...
1997-12-03 by n00b100 10
I'm with the other reviews that state that the first set is better than the second one in this show; neither of them match the astounding second set from the previous night's effort, but with the bounty of quality music from this show that's hardly anything to get upset about. The first...
2003-11-29 by mangochris 9
I did not enjoy this show. It lacked energy and structure and there was some real sloppy playing. Made me sad. That's all I have to say about that

Notable Jam Chart Performances

Individual jam chart entries from this venue:

2003-11-29 • Twist (17:17) Set 2 Noteworthy
Excellent jam which breaks from "Twist" around 7:30 into some good major mode action, then grows a bit spacey and dissonant before morphing into a really nice rocking groove. Towards the end, it gets angry and dissonant and -> to "Simple."
2003-02-25 • Taste (12:04) Set 1 Noteworthy
Excellent Page solo. Then Trey deploys some unusual plucking and strumming techniques (9:00 - 10:20 or so) towards the end of his solo. Strong version.
2003-02-25 • Theme From the Bottom (16:35) Set 2 Noteworthy
Jam begins conventionally until 8:40, when it abruptly shifts into a great, rocking groove. Mode shift again at 11:35 when the jam takes on a bluesy and somewhat funky vibe, which continues for about a minute until the ending section suddenly appears. Great little groove tacked on the end as well, with a > to "Runaway Jim."
1999-12-11 • Also Sprach Zarathustra (15:23) Set 2 Noteworthy
Emerges from "Ghost" and becomes a Haunted Space Halloween. Incredibly slow pace. This groove is one for the ages.
1999-12-11 • Scent of a Mule (12:22) Set 1 Noteworthy
Page Solo > Mike and Trey duet > full band jam that is really upbeat and rocking > conclusion.
1999-12-10 • Gotta Jibboo (14:09) Set 2 Noteworthy
Careful and patient, the front half of this jam features strong Rhodes and synth work from Page, to create a twinkly and spacey vibe. The band slowly accelerates this "Gotta Jibboo" to a smooth pinnacle, with multiple, very pleasant peaks; other "Jibboos" peak harder, but this one peaks cleaner and longer than its '99 peers. A true culmination of groove-based jam ideas from fall and winter '99.
1997-12-02 • Mike's Song (20:41) Set 2 Noteworthy
Exceptional single jam version which begins in funk/rock mode and grows increasingly powerful until 8:30, when the jam shifts into serious funk mode. After 12:00, the jam quiets to delicate, introspective play, before regaining its original juggernaut sense of power and -> to "Simple." This is entire Mike's Groove is must-hear material.
1997-12-02 • Dog Faced Boy (5:36) Set 2 Noteworthy
-> in from "Simple." A beautiful and inspiring "DFB" follows a gorgeous "Simple" jam, and is part of a HUGE "Mike's Groove." -> to "Ya Mar" as the great stuff keeps coming.
1997-12-02 • Ya Mar (14:00) Set 2 Noteworthy
-> in from "Dog Faced Boy." Jam quickly moves away from conventional "Ya Mar" structure into a rhythmic, grooving foray with building intensity. "Crosseyed And Painless" tease," and a fantastic -> to "Weekapaug."
1997-12-02 • Weekapaug Groove (15:29) Set 2 Noteworthy
Thrilling, smooth -> in from "Ya Mar." This version completes a fantastic "Mike's Groove." "Weekapaug" starts off more slowly before coming up to speed, then dives into the thick funk. Swiftly after 6:00, the jam blasts off into an upbeat groove that keeps building, working the crowd into a frenzy by 10:00. A must-hear version.
1997-12-02 • Simple (9:45) Set 2 Noteworthy
Features a Trey and Page duet. A gorgeous, must-hear version which -> to a must-hear "Dog Faced Boy" which -> to a must-hear "Ya Mar."
2003-11-29 • Julius (10:11) Set 1
Has some really cool riffs from Trey throughout that are unusual, as well as some nice low intensity playing.
Around 13:00, the jam breaks into an effects-laden groove, although it is not far removed from typical "WOTC." Returns to the standard at 17:30 to wrap up.
Not sure how Page adroitly plays both the Fender-Rhodes and piano simultaneously, but he does here. Another good one where Trey hangs back for much of the jam, allowing Mike and Page to lead until he steps forward.
An extra funky jam kicks off a great set.


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