Phish on Sunday capped a remarkable summer tour that saw the band register several jams of historic length and host its first festival in nearly a decade with a fourth and final night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
As fun as it has been to nerd out on the length of recent improvisations, it’s not the size but the quality that counts, and the reason this Phish tour was exceptionally exciting was that 40 years into their Phish careers, Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, Jon Fishman, and Mike Gordon have all been at the top of their game, communicating on a seemingly telepathic level, and obviously enjoying themselves on stage. Sunday’s Labor Day weekend closer was no exception.
From the opening notes of “Dog Log”—a song that Phish had performed live only twice in the past 22 years, the last time being in 2012—the band set a playful tone. “Runaway Jim”, another “dog song,” picked up the pace before the funk explosion of “The Moma Dance”, one of Phish’s most clever mondegreen songs, called to mind the recent version that opened the band’s Mondegreen festival.
Phish – “Dog Log” [Pro-Shot] – 9/1/24
“My Friend, My Friend”, too, seemed like a nod to Phish’s recent exploits, which have included multiple longest-ever renditions of the older tune this summer. This no-“myfe” version didn’t break any records, but it did break the seal for big jams and was the most substantial song of the set with a length of 18 minutes.
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A sassy “Tube” kept it classic, followed by fan-favorite “Fluffhead”, which was marked by a sense of triumph. “Stash” combined Latin rhythms with the darkness of so-called “evil Phish,” gradually developing into an expansive, experimental jam without ever losing the groove as it pushed just past the ten-minute mark.
After a set of mostly classic Phish, the band finished with a newer tune, “Life Saving Gun”, from its recent album, Evolve. This version, with its patient, psychedelic funk jam, highlighted both how far the foursome has come in 40 years and how true to their roots they have remained—always evolving.
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Following the summer’s final set break, Phish returned to float upon the waves with a compact “Prince Caspian”. “Set Your Soul Free” then lived up to its name as the band laid down its longest improvisational outing of the evening (24 minutes, but who’s counting?). After gradually gaining steam, the jam unfolded organically into layers of funk and expansive psychedelic soundscapes, eventually giving way to “Tweezer”, another patient jam.
Phish – “Prince Caspian” – 9/1/24
“Light” calmed things down a bit before melting into a beautiful slurry of atonal sound that set up “A Life Beyond The Dream”. Sci-Fi Soldier tune “The Howling” picked the funk back up and gave fans a chance to release an appreciative “ahh-oooooh” as they collectively greeted the moon. A steady drumbeat from Fishman and Page’s percussive keyboard playing combined with experimental effects from Trey’s guitar and Mike’s bass showcased how Phish continues to push into new sonic territory with boundless creativity.
“More” and “Character Zero” offered a brief reprieve, and a stellar “Slave to the Traffic Light” brought the set to a climactic close. During the final note, Trey stepped to the mic to thank the audience and the band’s crew for an amazing summer, but it was completely over just yet.
Returning for an encore, Phish busted out Beastie Boys‘ “Sabotage” for the first time since 7/7/12 and then capped off an unforgettable tour with a triumphant if predictable “Tweezer Reprise”.
The next shows on Phish’s calendar are in January in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The band confirmed it will not tour this fall, and New Year’s shows have yet to be announced. For more information visit the band’s website.
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Setlist [via phish.net]: Phish | Dick’s Sporting Goods Park | Commerce City, CO | 8/31/24
Set One: Dog Log, Runaway Jim, The Moma Dance > My Friend, My Friend, Tube > Fluffhead, Stash, Life Saving Gun
Set Two: Prince Caspian > Set Your Soul Free > Tweezer > Light > A Life Beyond The Dream, The Howling > More > Character Zero, Slave to the Traffic Light
Encore: Sabotage > Tweezer Reprise
Notes: Dog Log was played for the first time since June 20, 2012 (464 shows). My Friend did not contain the “Myfe” ending. Tube and Life Saving Gun contained She Blinded Me with Science quotes, and Trey said “Dog Log” at the end of Life Saving Gun. Trey teased We’re Off to See the Wizard in Fluffhead. Sabotage was played for the first time since July 7, 2012 (453 shows), and was teased by Fish during Tweezer Reprise. The soundcheck’s My Soul had “one thousand and two” lyrics and a “Bruno (Mark ‘Bruno’ Bradley)” reference (see August 30th, 2024).
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