DICK'S XV: YOU'RE WELCOME
Heading into last night's summer finale at Dick's, it's safe to say there was a sense of collective unease. The first two shows of the run were solid, but decidedly unspectacular. Phish is currently playing at a high level, so by no means were Friday and Saturday nights bad shows. They just felt a little... ordinary. The Friday spelling tradition was seemingly put to rest and there was little acknowledgment that we were at DICK'S. It was understandable. Magnaball was such a smashing success, that it was going to be nearly impossible for this run not to feel a little anti-climactic.
"The Landlady" – Photo © @tweeprise
Phish came out and played two sets that largely stuck to that script. It was going to be my job to shine a light on the high points, note some of the more questionable calls, and try not to let too much of my disappointment show through that this year's Dick's shows felt like just another three-night run. And there were some genuine high points, most obviously the sterling "Down with Disease."
Alas, in the first set, those high points were not always easy to come by. A languid "Landlady" opener crossed off a never-before-seen song on many fans' lists (though they had, of course, likely seen it many times inside of "PYITE"). The "Free," "Moma," "Seven Below" sequence that followed showcased a veritable murderer's row of anthemic Trey licks. It's more difficult to be charitable about the song selection from the rest of the first set. But why on earth should we dwell on that here? And, hey, that's just, like, my opinion, anyway. I'm sure there are some folks out there who thought each call from "Caspian" through "Halfway to the Moon" was better than the last.
"Frankenstein" – Photo © @tweeprise
Setbreak was longer than usual, and the clock watchers among us noted ominously that Phish had only given themselves about an hour and twenty minutes for the second set and encore. That wasn't necessarily ideal, but sometimes shorter sets tend to be more focused, delivering wall-to-wall meat. That wasn't necessarily the case last night. The aforementioned "Disease" certainly fit the bill, as they deconstructed the jam to a minimalist groove and then built it back up into major-key euphoria. The last minute of the "DWD" seemed to hint at "Tweezer" before downshifting into "Carini." At just nine minutes, the "Carini" is compact but featured an echoplex-fueled jam that was reminiscent of 12/29/13.
"Compact" would be the watchword of the set, as "Steam," "Piper," "2001," and "Tweezer" all fit that description. "Piper," in particular, squeezed a lot of action into its eight-and-a-half minutes. This was all high-quality, enjoyable Phish, and had it taken place mid-tour, I'm sure I'd be singing its praises. But when "Tweezer" gave way to "The Horse," it felt like we were going to leave Dick's without a true standout show. Oddly, they started up "Slave" at 11:48. ::Does math:: How on earth are they going to play "Slave" and fit in an encore by curfew?
"Down With Disease" – Photo © @tweeprise
When they came back on for the encore just after midnight and launched into "Tweeprise," the plot thickened. A "Tweeprise" stand-alone encore would be rare but perhaps it made sense with the show running past curfew.
The best Phish moments always seem to be unexpected. Truth be told, even if the show had ended right here, it would have capped off an amazing weekend in every respect. But it didn't. The band recognized the significance of Dick's all along, and had completely faked us out. In 2011 we got the 'S' show. In 2012 they spelled "Fuck Your Face." In 2013 they spelled backwards. Last year gave us the "Lushington" fake out. Each year a new twist. What was left to do? All the permutations had seemingly been exhausted. All but one: spell a message on the last night.
"Tweezer Reprise" – Photo © @tweeprise
"Oom pa pa oom pa pa oom pa pa oom pa paaaaaaa-ah!" Setlist antics were the farthest thing from anyone's mind when "Harpua" started up. Trey clued everyone in by letting us know that when you write your setlist to only include "Harpua" once, and to "keep that in the back of your mind." Of course, that went completely over my head. In this installment of the story, east coast Jimmy needed an oxygen tank to cope with the altitude in Colorado. On his turntable he played the appropriately timed "After Midnight." But it turns out he bought the oxygen tank at the Phish show and it was really "NO2" (played for the second time this tour). Somehow this led into the first "Keyboard Cavalry" since 1995, and the bells brought Jimmy back to consciousness whereupon he noticed "Your Pet Cat," Poster Nutbag.
Unfortunately, Mike accidentally ate Poster Nutbag, causing Jimmy to wax philosophical and ask himself "How did I get here?" Thus spawned the first "Once in a Lifetime" since the Remain in Light set in '96. Was it a little rough around the edges? Sure. Did that matter even a little? Not really. We truly were in "Once in a Lifetime" territory at this point. To finish up the message, Trey thanked us all for being a part of this unique community, wrapping up with the Brotherhood of Man song, "United We Stand."
Of course, we should really be the ones thanking Trey, Mike, Page and Fish for the amount of joy that they bring to all of our lives. The fact that they are still doing it after all these years and at such a high level is nothing short of amazing. Last night, after over 32 years of shows, Phish delivered the Best. Encore. Ever. No qualifier necessary. It will certainly go down as one of the most joyful moments I’ve ever experienced at a Phish show. The legend of Dick’s continues.
Phish Summer 2015 – Setlists & Recaps
07/21/15 Setlist – Recap – Bend 1
07/22/15 Setlist – Recap – Bend 2
07/24/15 Setlist – Recap, Recap2 – Shoreline
07/25/15 Setlist – Recap – LA Forum
07/28/15 Setlist – Recap – Austin
07/29/15 Setlist – Recap – Grand Prarie
07/31/15 Setlist – Recap – Atlanta 1
08/01/15 Setlist – Recap – Atlanta 2
08/02/15 Setlist – Recap – Tuscaloosa
08/04/15 Setlist – Recap – Nashville
08/05/15 Setlist – Recap – Kansas City
08/07/15 Setlist – Recap – Blossom
08/08/15 Setlist – Recap – Alpine 1
08/09/15 Setlist – Recap – Apline 2
08/11/15 Setlist – Recap – Mann 1
08/12/15 Setlist – Recap – Mann 2
08/14/15 Setlist – Recap – Raleigh
08/15/15 Setlist – Recap – Merriweather 1
08/16/15 Setlist – Recap – Merriweather 2
08/21/15 Setlist – Recap – Magnaball 1
08/22/15 Setlist – Recap – Magnaball 2
08/23/15 Setlist – Recap – Magnaball 3
09/04/15 Setlist – Recap – Dick's 1
09/05/15 Setlist – Recap – Dick's 2
09/06/15 Setlist – Recap – Dick's 3
Commerce City, CO posters by Rich Kelly. 12x24, Edition of 850 each night.
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Phish.net
The Mockingbird Foundation
My favorite part of the encore is when Trey, and he must have been containing this laugh since set break goes,
- So I reflect, I wonder how long people have been keeping cats for pets....
Nice review. I concur with your opinion -
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YN07XxCh5kA
Amazing show, glad I stayed up.
The first five minutes of Harpua is my favorite Phish. DIRTY, NASTY, PHUNKED UP PUNK FUNK. Can you imagine my JOY that the culmination of my focus was also the focus of my favorite band , and the center piece (all be it the finale) of DICKS !?! Can you feel the LOVE that I feel that they when me they loved me (THANK YOU) and played me a musical story that helped me shake the last gram of energy out of my 48 year old legs and back, after 3 days camping and RAGING at DICKS ?!!!!
So I feel safe after floating on air for the last 24 hours, to tell you, that Phish ARE PHUCKERS !
They hold out until and tease you till you think you might cry. Like a hot, crazy, manipulative girlfriend, they seduce you and then push you away .....and... then... BLAM!!! THEY GIVE IT TO YOU FULL FORCE!!!
The first set Sunday night at DICKS was just as much a part of the GAG as the 3rd set. Trey ejected from a gorgeously bouncy 7 Below to Caspian and then ejected from that into a Number Line, Line . How cold can your favorite band be? When it's Phish? Pretty phuckin' cold. The doubt has crept in by now . What can save this horrendous first set ? Mule and I Saw It Again , revive my hope, only to be dashed on the rocks of Halfway To The Moon, a beautiful lullaby, but I'm so freakin' rested by now. C'mon guys , GIVE IT TO US ! FUCK YEAH FRANKENSTEIN !!!!
The second set went according to plan. Wilson ! check DWD . check . Carini, going strong only to disperse, CHECK. Steam had a very funky groove that made the entire vocal part of the song AMAZING...short plaintive whale jam and OUT ! Piper was a uniquely slow tempo and very interesting ...2001 (HERE WE GO !).....TWEEZER!!! AWWW YEAH !!! with the segue of the weekend ! So bittersweet emotions ran high during the Horse Silent Slave . Confusion abounded in Tweeprize. Then the BIG PAYOFF ! I LOVE THIS BAND! They know us so well, and put so much into this show. Nice to know ,they love us too.
Second set, also the best of the weekend. That jam at the end of DWD is a very memorable one. And the 2001!!!! The 2001!!! Not one of the 20 minute epics of the late 90s, but not one of those four minute short change versions they sometimes do in 3.0 either. Easily the funkiest in a long time that I've seen. I was already smiling ear to ear after that second set. I figured they were past curfew and would walk off after Tweeprise, and I was totally ok with that. But then......well we all know what happened next. Words cannot describe. Other than to say again what the reviewer said. Best.Encore.Ever.
The encore was awesome fun: Joyful, silly, playful. (I called the OIAL when I figured out what was going on); But it's the DWD> > > Tweezer I'll reach for next time I go to mow the lawn.
I also thought the overall 3rd show was somewhat better than the tone of this review implies--first set was fun, if not legendary, and the second set had plenty of good stuff, even before the Thank You encore.
To each their own though! ;']
it was a cool show, but nothing was made irrelevant. i caught a lot of music, and i probably like the cheezer even better than the mann twist, and i like the mann twist better than anything at dick's....
although trey's UNITED solo was cool.
but still....
Also, I don't get the hate for the first two shows. I thought they had a lot of amazing moments. I've seen all the Dick's shows. Even before Sunday's amazing show, I thought this year was better than 2014, and possibly better than 2013 as well.
I was there all three nights on the floor and the energy was amazing. Now in my opinion, I left a little disappointed friday because i felt although the song selection was great, they didn't perform as high as they had been for a while. There seemed to be some confusion as where to take the jams. The wolfmans was stellar but overall i didn't really "feel" the show. Saturday was a completely different story. Insane chalkdust, great rock and roll, great mercury and great hood encore. Not a bad first set at all either. I was moving. Then sunday, i left absolutely speechless. I had so badly wanted a wombat and mikes groove but during the show that wasn't even on my mind due to how awesome the playing was. I seem to pick the right shows to attend, because im very very very rarely ever left disappointed.
I was there all three nights on the floor and the energy was amazing. Now in my opinion, I left a little disappointed friday because i felt although the song selection was great, they didn't perform as high as they had been for a while. There seemed to be some confusion as where to take the jams. The wolfmans was stellar but overall i didn't really "feel" the show. Saturday was a completely different story. Insane chalkdust, great rock and roll, great mercury and great hood encore. Not a bad first set at all either. I was moving. Then sunday, i left absolutely speechless. I had so badly wanted a wombat and mikes groove but during the show that wasn't even on my mind due to how awesome the playing was. The piper was amazing and featured what i think to be a doobie brother tease of "rolling down the highway" and into the amazing 2001. I love was living life so much in that moment. I seem to pick the right shows to attend, because im very very very rarely ever left disappointed.
This guy's piece really captures the love:
https://medium.com/the-phish-from-vermont/so-beautiful-so-unique-a22a3d006db8
Second set was HOSE. From the beginning. Disease got way out there for a bit and the Carini through Tweezer was a smooth flow of songs. They played sharp versions of all and then dove off the deep end between. Particularly loved the excellent build into 2001. It was given a lot more patience and care then most all 3.0 versions. Steam's choppy funk was excellent as well. After all of that ripping it up, The Horse> Silent can't be complained about I'd think. Delicate into anthemic, a emotional pair for them and many of us. And as they slid into one of the most euphoric Phish songs, Slave, I felt awed and humbled by the power of this band. Encore doesn't need to be talked about, it was Phishy to the extreme. Before it I felt I already had seen the best Phish set of my 30 shows.
I went to Magnaball and Friday Dick's as well. I think all are on the same level, this band's level right now. We get deep improv, fun bustouts and shenanigans, and stellar versions of composed songs (Horn on Friday-wow! tight tight tight). Of course there are slow moments, botched parts, but the band powers through all of it and has left my jaw on the floor in 2015. Thanks guys, you are giving us all you got.
Wednesday, 07/02/1997
Encore: Free
Encore 2: David Bowie
the free has a totally cool jam, and the bowie is nice
Bummed this was the one that I missed...but glad the boys f'ing killed it.
Deserves mention
I agree that none of the Dick's first sets matched the better first sets from the end of summer (or Bend2 for that matter), Saturday's being especially clunky, but the dismissal of the Wolfmans through Fuego, LxL through Wingsuit, and Sunday's entire 2nd set sounds awfully sour. Most of the people I talked to on site caught some off moments and lack of flow in the first sets but also praised the improvisatory stretches in the 2nds, and moreover, were having such a good time that we deferred deep criticism until we got home and had a chance to listen again. I haven't made it through everything but so far I find conventional wisdom to be overwrought as usual. Go back and listen to the Chalkdust, especially the last 5 minutes, and the Piper-2001-Tweezer, all 3 insanely great (but they aren't 15+ minutes so why bother, amirite?). Try out the Fuego, the most jammed out and exploratory version under 12 minutes yet played, not at all like the other shorter versions. Roggae, Ghost, Bathtub, and 7 Below all hiding in plain sight.
And then, the Harpua -- it took everything to a whole other level. At least on that we can agree. One of my favorite concert experiences ever without question.
I respect this reviewer's high standards but I don't agree that s/he should be in a position to write the first draft of history. The scene in Denver was not feeling uneasy. That does not mean people were unaware of how Friday and Saturday compared to the best of 2015; I doubt many will put those shows in a top 10. Nothing to be uneasy about unless you have a iffy sense of phish history or a strange sense of entitlement. Colorado itself was too busy having fun to get grumpy about merely good shows.
Tweezer Reprise
Harpua
After Midnight
N02
Keyboard Army
Your Pet Cat
Once In A Lifetime
United We Stand
I don't think I need to write another word...
THANK YOU PHISH!
Quit bitching, please.
I'm 56. I've seen a lot of rock and roll shows. I rode in the backseat when my Dad took my sister and brother to see the Beatles at Red Rocks. I rode shotgun when my Dad took my brother and sister to see the Doors at The Family Dog. I was with my parents when they picked up my sister and brother after being tear gassed at the Jethro Tull show at Red Rocks.
I was at Red Rocks back when they used to let you in at Noon.
I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd at D.U., then 7 or only god knows how many times after (lost count -- because of all the drugs I used to do). Hell I've even been to a Kiss concert.
Keith Richards taught my buddy's son to play guitar. I was with the Stones this summer in KC.
I started following Phish last year.
Like I say, I seen a lot of shows. I still go to a lot of shows.
I have never, seen a band thank their fans the way Trey did Sunday night. And I have never, never, seen an encore like Sunday. Jeezus, I was blown away.
I'm going to keep going to see this band every time they're in CO. I'll be there to see Trey in Denver in November. If I'm fortunate enough, I'll take a trip to see them.
Trey, is one of the great guitar players of my time. I put him right up there with the best.
They harmonize, they play well together. The fact that they play so many covers shows they have respect and humility.
Phish, is a great band -- any time they take the stage.
They're special.
I'm not going to commiserate over what I missed. Instead, I'm going to be happy for what I have. I'm grateful for being able to see a concert -- any concert. But when I see what I saw on Sunday night, man, that's why I keep going to shows. It keeps me young, it shows me the flame still burns bright.
Sunday night is not the standard by which I'll now measure all over shows. But I'm happy to say I saw what happens when 4 fellas love their fans and play rock and roll.
I was there all 3 nights at Dick's. I just love the vibe, their fans are nice. I get the posters, magnets, t-shirts. I download the shows. It's fun, fun, fun.
John Lennon was murdered, George died of cancer. They'll be a day when Phish is gone. I can't make up for lost time. But I'm going to try to catch every moment, from here on out. I'm gonna cherish every moment. Because life really is, short.
###
within your 'review' post, all that can be measured with objective CERTAINTY is point number two: the song lengths were not super extended....
i've listened to phish since i was a little kid, and i waited until this year to post reviews: there seemed to be a bit of room as some really great writers took breathers....
there are other reviewers whose opinions i value greatly, as i think they are level-headed, fair, AND passionate: in this section of phish.net, @philbombs77 comes to mind - and others. if i can't hit a show, but want to know if i should spent the money on the board, it's cool there are places to turn.
given Llama's history, i'd argue that Llama, in its original format, is the biggest bustout by far; much more interesting than Landlady (don't get me wrong, that was cool, too....)
and OIAL was cool, but having been at 31/96, it almost hurt to hear.... again: not that it mattered, but are you going to listen to that version often?
this show is easily a number five if you were there (and thought it was that great).
but this is an Event show.
for that reason, more than anything else, it's in its own category.
and so there is nothing 'easy' about this show.
and i don't understand the East Coast bias thing. i simply don't know a single fan who 'knocks down' shows because of venue or locale played. you might be able to argue that, say, some awesome summer 97 show in texas with a souped-up gin and additional drummer is 'less-known,' but look at the ratings for this show alone: approaching 400.
had this happened at Watkins, would there be that much of a difference? both stands sold out....
This show was awesome. But to go crazy over a Keyboard Army or something - which is cool enough - (fyi: this would destroy a show's rating in some 95 or 97 shows) is to miss the point. What impact would a Kung have had; or, more interestingly, a KDF.... Would one less 'bustout' mean anything?
I think you're missing the point with bust-outs. What's fun about them isn't necessarily the music in a vacuum, unless it's Fluffhead after a decade or something. Bust-outs are fun because they're part of what a lot of us love about Phish (alongside the musicianship, the songs, the jams, the party, etc. etc.) - their ability to surprise and delight us over and over again. Just when you think you know what they're up to, they throw something new at you. I don't laugh out loud at the sheer creativity and balls of any band, especially during a song at a show, but Phish. It's not that Keyboard Kavalry is amazing music or that OIAL was played perfectly. It's that we haven't seen them in 20ish years, which means a lot of younger fans have only heard about them. OIAL is a great song with some cool Phish history. Keyboard Kavalry is just fun to see and watch. Yes, it was way better in that spot (of a minute or 2) than many other things would have been, if for no other reason than its rarity and the spectacle itself. Harpua is a doorway to gags for the band, and when they really have fun with it, you get something like the Dick's 3 encore. If SOME of why you like Phish isn't about the fun they have in delighting us in many ways - some of which are lighthearted - then I have to think you're missing the point. Yes, the music comes first, always. But Phish is about more than just the music. At this stage, they really seem to appreciate their history with us as much as we do. The Harpua encore celebrated the bond the band feels with us after a long ride that keeps on going. They seem as happy on stage as I can ever remember. They're crushing it night after night. They're overflowing with new music and creative risks, and a seeming rededication to making our experience one huge delight. Everything isn't about replay value. I understand that people (myself included) appreciate a way to pick out what's worth repeated listening by reading reviews. But listening to a show and being at a show are two different experiences. Some people review more with an eye to one than the other. Personally, I don't care if the Dick's OIAL is worth hearing again on its musical merits. I will listen again and again because that show is phenomenal and the encore as a whole was a jaw-on-the-floor laugh/dance riot that I will enjoy every time.
Besides, I've seen Kung and KDF. I'd never seen The Landlady, Harpua, After Midnight, NO2, Keyboard Kavalry, OIAL, or United We Stand (obviously). I win!
But listening to a show and being at a show are two different experiences.
right: you're reiterating my point.
and right, you're reiterating my point: KK is something to behold, not necessarily listen to.
i was responding to forbin's review - i didn't say anything about bustouts, generally, being good, bad, or otherwise.
you could be right about landlady (only that segment in PYITE gets butchered regularly).
but i'm happy you had a great time.
just wish thank you had TWO h's in it; cause all i'm missing is Have Mercy.
But the things that stays with me after the show are these:
(1) the playing in the second 1/2 of DWD. The chord riffs and interplay at 10:30 is magical, and then a minute and a half later, Trey starts repeating and building on this beautiful up and down stair-step riff over and over.
2) Same type of thing in the Piper jam leading up to the Doobie Bros. groove. Everything just gels.
3) Slave. One of the most sublime musical moments that I have experienced at any concert. Few musicians can project such feeling.
Keep it rolling boys!
I also thought that Sunday Set 1 was one of the best 1st Sets I've ever had the pleasure of being in the building for out of the 70+ shows I've seen in the 3.0 era.
Set 1: The Landlady, Free > The Moma Dance > Seven Below > Prince Caspian > Backwards Down the Number Line, The Line, Scent of a Mule[1] > Saw It Again, Halfway to the Moon, The Birdwatcher, Frankenstein[2]
As I look at it, what is there to complain about? Frankenstein to end Set 1! Moma Dance> Seven Below was great. The Caspian might have paled next to MagnaBall but I certainly didn't care. One of the best and most fun Mule's I've ever witnessed. Saw It Again was on fire. And they finally showcased Halfway To The Moon, loved its perfect placement to my ears near the end of the set and felt it was the best version they ever done of it.
I'm basically a 3.0 newbie, having been a DeadHead, and love songs. Better when songs are jammed out but that shouldn't diminish the songs themselves. Not every song was meant to be jammed out so while I understand the love of the jam sometimes I feel like reviewers are too quick to shortchange 1st Sets because of the lack of jamming. A solid 1st Set is to my ears the foundation of a great show and both Friday and Sunday 1st Sets is what made my experience of the total show so enjoyable.
Peace,
Alex
Comparing shows against one another is an exercise in absolute futility. What's the point? They're all completely different, how can they really be compared? It's all subjective.
I love every show I go to... because I got to go to it.
I love every show they play, good or bad, because THEY'RE STILL PLAYING SHOWS FOR US.
They're gonna play songs that I don't love. That's ok.
They're gonna play shows that are below the average. That's ok.
I'll see you at the next one that I'm so lucky to be able to attend!