Soundcheck: Halfway to the Moon

Set 1: Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Runaway Jim, Army of One, Free Man in Paris[1], Summer of ’89, Split Open and Melt, The Sloth, Time Turns Elastic, Golgi Apparatus

Set 2: Chalk Dust Torture[2] > Prince Caspian[2] > Heavy Things > Alaska > Also Sprach Zarathustra[3] > Light > Possum > Character Zero

Encore: Shine a Light

[1] Phish debut.
[2] Unfinished.
[3] Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, Billy Jean and Thriller teases.

Notes: This show featured the first Alumni Blues since 7/24/99 (222 shows) and the first Letter to Jimmy Page since 7/15/94 (587 shows). Free Man in Paris was a Phish debut. Both Chalk Dust and Caspian were unfinished. 2001 included a Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ tease from Trey and full-band Billy Jean and Thriller teases, on the first anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death.

Set 1: David Bowie, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Water in the Sky, Ocelot, Uncle Pen, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Gumbo > Timber (Jerry) > I Didn’t Know[1], Birds of a Feather, Bouncing Around the Room, Reba[2], The Rover[3]

Set 2: Down with Disease -> Crosseyed and Painless > Nothing > Twenty Years Later > Harry Hood > Fluffhead > Julius, You Enjoy Myself[4]

Encore: Bug

[1] “Let’s Go Flyers” chant from some fans during vacuum solo.
[2] No whistling.
[3] Phish debut.
[4] “Let’s Go Flyers” chant from some fans during vocal jam.

Notes: During I Didn’t Know, Trey mentioned his prediction from the 6/7/09 Camden show that the Flyers would win the Stanley Cup and announced that Fish would perform a voodoo vacuum solo for next year’s Cup. Some fans in the audience then began chanting “Let’s Go Flyers.” Reba did not have the whistling ending. The Rover was a Phish debut. At the start of the YEM vocal jam, some fans again chanted “Let’s Go Flyers.”

Soundcheck: Dr. Gabel [Unconfirmed]

Set 1: Lit O Bit[1], Camel Walk, Possum, The Divided Sky, Dirt, Sample in a Jar, Kill Devil Falls, Dr. Gabel[2], Run Like an Antelope[3]

Set 2: Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley -> Light -> 46 Days, Limb By Limb, Golgi Apparatus, Slave to the Traffic Light, Loving Cup

Encore: First Tube

[1] Phish debut.
[2] Debut.
[3] “Leo Esquandolas” lyric; piano solo.

Notes: This show featured the Phish debut of Lit O Bit and the debut of Dr. Gabel. In Antelope, “Marco Esquandolas” was changed to “Leo Esquandolas,” followed by a Page solo.

[setlist via Phish.net]

So here we are, half way through the first leg of Phish’s 2010 summer tour. While this tour has yet to appease the jam-hungry masses, there are many indications of progress. The band has taken a major step since last year, but we still have a long road to travel. There are still many questions and many uncertainties – but when has Phish ever let us down before?

Mixed reports are coming in nearly every night (the negative side coming mostly from those who are simply downloading the shows rather than attending them). Phish’s current direction seems to be more about energy, rather than long exploratory jams. But to say they aren’t ‘jamming’ would be completely false. Every song – even the oldest and most standard number – is being recreated on a nightly basis. Trey has infused the jams with his “whale-call”, and Mike has rewritten nearly every one of his basslines. Armed with a tighter sound, greater musical knowledge, and years of experience, Phish is stepping forth into new waters.

This tour has continued to demonstrate a more refined meander-less jamming style. Every jam seems to be about capturing the energy of the crowd and translating it into notes, rather than just psychedelic exploration. And, while Trey is rewriting the book on guitar, Mike has emerged as an equal carving out his own unique sound. Jon is playing like Bill Bruford, and Page is not only showing his improved chops, but also his talent for songwriting.

6.19.10 (Glowstickwars)

The first three shows of the tour, discussed in the last post “Weekend Review”, gave us good reason to believe that Phish was ready to take the next step. However, since Hershey the band seems to have tightened up their improv with jams regularly being cut-short by Trey. It seems he doesn’t feel the band is ready yet, and instead is focusing more on the song choice and tightness, rather than the jams. But anyone that has attended a show on the 2010 tour can attest to the undeniable energy present each night. While this has many growing impatient, there have been many positive signs along the way. I have no doubt that when they are ready, the jams will come.

Here are some of the highlights from the first leg:

“Light” (6.11.10)

“BDTNL” (6.12.10)

“2001“>”Simple” (6.15.10)

“DWD“>”Sand” (6.17.10)

“Tweezer” (6.18.10)

“Rock & Roll” (6.19.10)

“Piper” (6.20.10)

“Roggae” (6.20.10)

“Gotta Jibboo” (6.20.10)

Soundcheck: Funky Bitch [Unconfirmed and Possibly Incomplete]

Set 1: Brother[1], AC/DC Bag > Back on the Train, Undermind, Cities, Gotta Jibboo[2], Roggae, Sleep Again, Lawn Boy, Run Like an Antelope

Set 2: Carini > The Mango Song, Wilson[3] > Drowned > Swept Away > Steep, Makisupa Policeman[4], Piper[5] > Also Sprach Zarathustra > You Enjoy Myself

Encore: Frankenstein[6]

[1] Band members’ children in a tub on stage. Happy Father’s Day!
[2] Tony Markellis on bass and Mike on a second guitar.
[3] Dixie tease from Trey.
[4] Solos by Mike, then Fish, then Page.
[5] Intro contained phrases from the previous Makisupa.
[6] Page on keytar.

Notes: In what is becoming a Father’s Day tradition (see 6/21/09), the show-opening Brother featured the band members’ children jumping into a bathtub on stage, followed by Trey introducing each of them and wishing everyone a Happy Father’s Day. Gotta Jibboo featured Tony Markellis on bass and Mike on a second guitar. The end of Wilson contained a Dixie tease from Trey. In place of a traditional Makisupa keyword, Trey improvised lines that set up solos for Mike, then Fish, then Page. The subsequent Piper intro included repeated phrases from the Makisupa (“Mike,” “Policeman” “SPAC” and “House” among others).

[Setlist via Phish.net]

Saturday, 2010.06.19
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Falls, NY

Set 1: Tweezer Reprise[1], Chalk Dust Torture, Funky Bitch, Runaway Jim, Ya Mar, Sample in a Jar, Axilla > Fluffhead, Bathtub Gin, Suzy Greenberg
Set 2: Rock and Roll -> Free, Backwards Down the Number Line, Halfway to the Moon[2] > Prince Caspian > Joy, David Bowie, Show of Life
Encore: The Squirming Coil, Character Zero > Tweezer Reprise

[1] First Tweezer Reprise opener since 11/9/95 (482 shows).
[2] Debut.

This gig featured the first Tweezer Reprise opener since 11/9/95 (482 shows) and the debut of Halfway to the Moon.

[Setlist via Phish.net]

Set 1: Fee > Rift, Wolfman’s Brother, Summer of ‘89, Foam, Possum > The Moma Dance > Julius, Reba[1], Cavern
Set 2: Halley’s Comet > Light -> Billy Breathes, Tweezer > Theme From the Bottom > Harry Hood > Wading in the Velvet Sea, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan
Encore: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise, Tweezer Reprise[2]

[1] No whistling.
[2] Played a second time, for Hershey.

[Setlist via Phish.net]

DOWNLOAD: 2010.06.18 The Comcast Theatre, Hartford, CT
Source: DPA 4023>Sonosax SX-M2>Sound Devices 722 (24/96)

Thursday, 2010-06-17
The Comcast Theatre
Hartford, CT

Soundcheck: Sleep Again

Set 1: Punch You In the Eye, Ocelot, Dinner and a Movie, Stash, Esther, Walk Away, The Divided Sky, When the Circus Comes, Sugar Shack, Alaska > Golgi Apparatus

Set 2: Party Time > Down with Disease -> Sand -> The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Guyute, Farmhouse, Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove

Encore: Shine a Light

[Thanks to Phish.net for the setlist]

Soundcheck: Gone, Sleep Again, The Connection [list and order unconfirmed]

Set 1: Tube, Kill Devil Falls, Slave to the Traffic Light, Lawn Boy, Poor Heart, AC/DC Bag, The Moma Dance > My Friend, My Friend, Cold Water[1], Bathtub Gin, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan

Set 2: Wilson > Seven Below > 46 Days > Idea[2] > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Simple -> Joy, Taste, Theme From the Bottom > A Day in the Life

Encore: Heavy Things, First Tube

[1] Phish debut.
[2] Debut.

Notes: This show marked the Phish debut of Cold Water and the debut of Idea.

[Thanks to Phish.net for the setlist]

Over the first three shows of summer tour Phish set the bar high for 2010, answering many of the questions we have been pondering since Miami. Diverting from the safe, contained musical path that defined 2009 the band was noticeably taking more risks – some with better results than others. We’re only three shows in (now 4), but all signs are pointing toward a great tour. Perhaps the most evident aspect of the weekend was the undeniable effect of practice – something that was obviously missing during the post-hiatus era.

Friday’s show at Toyota was a perfect way to kick off the tour. While many had predicted a night full of new material, the band delivered a classic show with only one debut late in the second set. Expectations were blown away as Phish picked up where we left off in Miami, and began to truly explore their new sound.

6.12.10

Every jam seemed to go somewhere; every composed section was nailed with purpose.  Building on the rhythmic grooves that were present throughout much of 2009, the band patiently allowed their jams to grow.  Rather than screaming-guitar solos, it was more about sculpted sounds.  Like a jazz group, Phish has become heavily reliant on its rhythm section to mutate their jams, shifting through different textures and feels, with Trey carefully riding the melody lines above.

“Light” (6.11.09)

One concern was that while Miami saw Trey laying off on the “whale-call” solos (courtesy of the digtitech whammy pedal), the opening three shows saw him clinging to it more than ever. As a result, many of his solos sounded similar, and that had me a bit worried. In the past, he’s referred to his pedals as “safety-mechanisms”, which he clings to when he’s unsure of his playing. The pedal gives him a unique sound, but can be overwhelming when used too often. We all love Trey’s melodic playing, and with the caterwauling sound of the wham, it’s difficult to attain such a sound. Hopefully he’ll find a nice mix between the two, as pedals should never define one’s sound.

The next night at Blossom was a very different affair.  Rather than playing a show that every fan was sure to love, the band took more risks, some that turned out better than others.  For me, this show reminded me exactly why we travel so far to see this band – completely unpredictable and a true journey from start to finish.  The energy at Blossom on Saturday night was overwhelming, and the playing was right there to match it.  Not to mention, “Look Out, Cleveland” and “Instant Karma!” – two amazing covers – were debuted.

“BDTNL” > “20 Years Later” (6.12.10)

6.13.10

In Hershey, Phish continued to head down a more jammy path than 2009 – much to the pleasure of the fans along for the ride.  Like Toyota Park, Hershey was opened with a contained jam that heated things up early.  After a first set loaded with Phish classics, the sun set for a second set that looks like it came from the pre-hiatus years.  However, many of the jams failed to develop, and came off as unconnected noodling.  That said, there was no denying Phish’s intent.  Not every risk will work out, and just by looking at the setlist, it’s clear the band means business.

“Piper“>”Free” (6.13.10)

While I haven’t given Portsmouth a proper listen yet, reports coming in are indicating that the band put on a very strong performance…

Click on the links below for downloads and setlists from each show.

2010.06.11  Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL

Soundcheck: Sugar Shack, Burn That Bridge   [list and order unconfirmed]

Set 1: Gotta Jibboo, Chalk Dust Torture, Fluffhead, Funky Bitch, Runaway Jim > NICU, Horn > It’s Ice > Bouncing Around the Room, Sparkle, Split Open and Melt

Set 2: Drowned > Tweezer -> Twist > Piper > Free, Wading in the Velvet Sea, You Enjoy Myself

Encore: Bold As Love

[Thanks to Phish.net for the setlist]

Set 1: Look Out Cleveland^[1], Ocelot, Water in the Sky, Stash, The Ballad of Curtis Loew, Sample in a Jar, Time Turns Elastic, Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove
Set 2: Rock and Roll > Harry Hood > Backwards Down the Number Line > Twenty Years Later, Instant Karma!^[1] > The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg > Waste > Character Zero

Encore: The Squirming Coil
[1] Phish debut.

Notes: Look Out Cleveland and Instant Karma! made their Phish debuts at this show.

[Thanks to Phish.net for the setlist]

Soundcheck: Show of Life, Burn That Bridge   [list and order unconfirmed]

Set 1: Down with Disease, Wolfman’s Brother, Possum, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Reba^[1], Jesus Just Left Chicago, The Divided Sky, Golgi Apparatus > David Bowie

Set 2: Light -> Maze, Ghost -> Limb By Limb^[2] > Prince Caspian > The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Run Like an Antelope^[3], Show of Life^[4]

Encore: Cavern > Julius

[1] No whistling.
[2] Ending vocal jam.
[3] DEG tease by Trey in intro. Fishman drum solo. “Jon Fishman” substituted for “Marco Esquandolas.” Lyrics changed to “Been you to have any stick.”
[4] Phish debut.

Notes: After Possum, Trey congratulated the hometown Chicago Blackhawks’ victory over his beloved Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup Finals that ended two days before this show. Reba was performed without the whistling ending. Limb by Limb included an ending vocal jam. Antelope contained a Dave’s Energy Guide tease by Trey in the intro section. Antelope subsequently contained a Fishman drum solo. “Jon Fishman” was substituted for “Marco Esquandolas” and Antelope’s lyrics were further changed with “Been you to have any stick.” This show featured the Phish debut of Show of Life.

[Thanks to Phish.net for the setlist]