Phish returned to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO on Saturday for Night 2 of the band’s tenth anniversary run at the home of the MLS‘s Colorado Rapids.
Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Page McConnell, and Jon Fishman hit the stage just after 8:00 p.m. MT and opened the show with “Alumni Blues” > “A Letter to Jimmy Page” > “Alumni Blues”.
After taking a moment to welcome the Colorado crowd back for the continued celebration of ten years of Dick’s, Page launched the band into “Turtle In The Clouds”, giving Mike and Trey a chance to show off their complex choreography. Of note, Page also employed some new synths on his arpeggiated chorus keyboard lines, giving the Kasvot Växt number some added ’80s flair.
Related: Phish Kicks Off 10th Anniversary Dick’s Run With Big Jams, Song Mashups, & More [Photos]
The improvisational highlight of set one followed with yet another strong summer 2021 “Blaze On”, which featured the alternate lyrics “dancing here at Dick’s” (rather than “dancing in the field”). The lyrical ad-libs were just the beginning as this “Blaze On” cruised into Type II territory off the back of some energized Trey sustain. Page leading the way with watery tones, the jam dove into the depths for several minutes of intra-band echolocation before charging back up above the surface for a big finish.
Next, Phish cooled it down with “Cool It Down”, the band’s first rendition of The Velvet Underground Loaded track since December 2019 in Nassau. The band didn’t stay cool for long, however, as the tune moved into a murky, funky “Ghost” that built patiently to a towering peak.
Phish – “Undermind” – 9/4/21
[Video: Fred Ramadan]
The island vibes of “Ya Mar” and the clever wordplay of “Undermind” gave way to an unusual, jammed-out “Tube” that explored pretty, ambient space rather than the searing funk for which it’s known. If you’re a fan of “Tube”—and “Tube” jams—this one is a can’t-miss.
Yes! #phish #dicks #happybirthdaytome
— DidTheyJamOutTube? (@TubeJamUpdate) September 5, 2021
Phish – “Tube” – 9/4/21
[Video: Fred Ramadan]
With time for one more before intermission, Phish closed out set one with a white-hot “David Bowie”.
During set break, fans on the couch were treated to a guitar rig rundown video from Trey, providing some insight into the myriad new sounds coming through the PA this tour. It’s not up on YouTube yet, but it’s worth poring over for any gear nerd once it goes online.
@rene_huemer pic.twitter.com/3nXGVQo0xU
— Phish: From The Road (@Phish_FTR) September 5, 2021
The quartet returned to the stage a few minutes before 10:00 p.m. and launched into “Everything’s Right”. The Sigma Oasis improvisation centerpiece has had a number of strong outings this year, and the Saturday Dick’s version continued that trend. Big, dark, and brooding, this “Everything’s Right” showed off the band’s expanded palette of effects and tones before locking onto an ascending major-key riff around the 19-minute mark, hurtling toward a reverb-laced, white-light peak, and landing in lush feedback loops.
The “Fuego” that followed benefitted from a bit of the same texture-oriented improv before moving into a delicate “Farmhouse” and, in turn, a billowing “Mercury”. While this “Mercury” seemed to have legs, Trey made the call to pull the plug at the 11-minute mark, insistently inserting the lick for “Seven Below” until the band fell in behind him. “Drift While You’re Sleeping” continued the run of more relaxed songs that had filled the set to that point.
Phish – “Seven Below” – 9/4/21
[Video: JcHConcertPOV]
While the second set on Saturday at Dick’s may have been a mellower affair than recent shows, the band still had some surprises in store for the end of the performance. To close set two, the band elicited roars of approval with “You Enjoy Myself”. Always a welcome addition to any set, this excellent “YEM” served as a thoroughly satisfying closer for a fun, if somewhat tame, final frame.
Phish – “You Enjoy Myself” (Vocal Jam) – 9/4/21
[Video: JcHConcertPOV]
Finally, the band returned to the stage for the tour debut of Jimi Hendrix‘s “Bold As Love”, Page McConnell delivering a charismatic turn on the mic for the Saturday Phish Dick’s finale.
Phish – “Bold As Love” (Jimi Hendrix) – 9/4/21
[Video: Fred Ramadan]
The band returns to Commerce City tonight, Sunday, 9/5/21, to close out both the tenth anniversary year of Phish Dick’s and the excellent 2021 summer tour. We can’t wait to see what’s in store.
For a full list of upcoming Phish tour dates, head here.
Setlist: Phish | Dick’s Sporting Goods Park | Commerce City, CO | 9/4/21
Set One: Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues, Turtle in the Clouds, Blaze On[1], Cool It Down > Ghost > Ya Mar, Undermind, Tube > David Bowie
Set Two: Everything’s Right > Fuego > Farmhouse > Mercury -> Seven Below > Drift While You’re Sleeping, You Enjoy Myself
Encore: Bold As Love
[1] Lyrics changed to reference Dick’s.
The lyrics in Blaze On were changed to reference Dick’s. Trey teased Fire (Ohio Players) in Drift While You’re Sleeping. This was the rescheduled date from the show that had been postponed due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.
The post Phish Turns In 25-Minute “Everything’s Right”, Ambient “Tube” Jam, & More On Saturday At Dick’s [Videos] appeared first on L4LM.
