The final two-set show of the Europe tour finds the band playing a venue that would be immortalized on the band's return seven months later, the show that wound up being released as Slip, Stich and Pass. On this night, like during most of the 1996 Europe tour, the band is technically sound but doesn't break new ground like they would on their next visit.

A stretched out, patient Bag opener has some extra mustard at the end, and the Theme is even better than the one played two nights earlier in Nuremberg. The middle jam has a brief, repeated chord section at about 5:30 that’s really cool and a great build-up before the climax.

Trey is doing something during this Mule that gets the crowd excited, maybe playing parts of his body like a drum? Unless you were there, it’s impossible to tell from the recording. Anyway, this sounds like a fun Mule to have witnessed.

For a 15 minute version, this Disease doesn’t cover much terrain and barely strays from the theme. Call it a long Type I version.The McGrupp is longer than normal, with Page taking an extended lead on a long jam after the last verse that Trey sits out.

The second set highlight is the first Mike’s Groove with Hydrogen in 9 months, or 60 shows. At 10 minutes, Mike’s starts descending into some weird space and briefly sounds like it could be heading into Timber Ho territory before returning to the theme. Lots of Page in this Paug, including a nice section with just Mike and Page playing off of one another before Trey jumps in to wrap it up.

The Slave that closes is silky smooth, with clean Trey soloing on the outro. This one may get overlooked, but sounds as good as other more well-known 1996 versions.

If you're a big fan of Page, the McGrupp and Mike's Groove may be of interest. Beyond that, it's another solid but hardly adventurous night in 1996 for this band.

Set 2!

2001! the last second set of their European jaunt. Going with the ambient-background-wall-of-sound that the band as been favoring in this period they start out with a song that lets Fish continue the funk.at one point it sounds like Trey gets on his drum-kit . solid .

Runaway Jim get the crowd clapping for a good while so you know the band is loving it. They get it going pretty quick working off a figure of Mikes for the first 2 min or so. trey just riding the giant rhythm train of the other 3. at the 7 min mark Trey gets on top of everything and Mike drops the Jim bass line and things get really triumphant.

Loving Cup! My fav cover the boys do. After seeing by far the most fantastic Loving Cup ever at PNC BAnk Arts 7/16/99. so even from the first note this is not as high energy as others I've heard. But Fish is playing so hard that he drags the band it seems to enthusiasm during the verse. Other than that. this is a mediocre Loving Cup at best.

Sparkle is fun as hell always. my first fav Phish song.

This Mikes is the first one like Mikesgroover says above in 60 shows with the hydrogen pairing. still its a perfect song choice for the space the band is in. This , again is a Fish vehicle for that danceable-in0the-pocket-phunk that would be a staple next year. This is a pretty stretched out jam because of what I steted before. The only sound really distinguishable and standing out are Fish's drums. The other three are on a mission to fill all sonic space in the venue. This is true for the first 8 min then Trey gets on top of the jam and you hear what could be and what will be . it last for a few measures than they go into an anti Simple jam. An ambient jam that grooves somewhat then at the 14 min mark Trey brings it all home.

Bike is fun......The Slave is average. but it goes along with the way they were playing. I remember when I got these tapes before Clifford Ball, I was bugging out just to hear them blow the doors off of smaller venues and to have a quiet crowd. In that light this is a great listen.
Otherwise listen to this for Fish and some random highlights and look for their return to the states for an awesome August 96

Last headliner for the boys before heading back to the states and an awesome August.

AC/DC BAg! always a good sign , in my opinion, as an opener.
Fish is grooving hard on this one. A real good example of him just staying in the pocket in the beginning of the jam. very danceable. he then gets this pretty sick drum beat going for about 5 measures before they take flight . Fun , loud ending.
long foam .
THEME!!! pretty good jam here. Again all Fish to my ears. His drumming is just phenomenal. Trey is content to wail on the pedals and create one big loud pilsing band. is like hearing rushing water coming at you that doesn't drown you when it hits you. When Trey gets on top of the song its at the end and you wish February of Next year where they play a seminal version . Good listen here.
Always good to hear Gumbo!!
VEry good Mule hear too. Crowd gets into . The battle is fun.
Hot DWD. The band is being pulled by Fish!! Great Set 1 !