The 1,000-plus mile drive to Fort Worth from Phoenix seemed to take forever. While the prior drive from Montana to Arizona was over 200 miles longer, that journey was manageable because the terrain was more interesting. The Will Rogers Auditorium, another venue with a seating capacity less than 3,000, resembled a theatre in that it had seats and a balcony, but there were hallways on the sides of the floor.

Ya Mar opened the first set and got everyone on the same Leo, I mean Page I was expecting something a little weirder since it was Friday the 13th. Also Sprach Zarathustra caught me off guard being played second song of the 1st set considering I saw it open the 2nd set 13 times prior. This choice provided the spooky vibe I was seeking. Fishman’s hi-hat emerges out of the ending of the standard 2001. Maze is always a good time, and this was a high octane version.

Billy Breathes, which was played for the 6th time ever, appropriately slowed the pace in a beautiful manner. They took advantage of this small theatre and played I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome acoustic and without mics. “A little hand for Moses Brown on the mandolin”, says Trey.

Prince Caspian was played powerfully for the 7th time ever. Fishman drops the Split Open And Melt drumbeat, and as always my body flinches into action (#suchagoodfeeling) This Melt is not in a rush and just plods along exposing the darker side of Phish. Everyone is very active and hammering away intensely. A fine version! Nice yang to the Caspian yin!

Fluffhead immediately starts as SOAMelt ends. It was the 1st one of Fall tour (17 show gap) and 3rd of 1995; it was not being played as often these days. Fluff’s Travels is executed with authority and the climax delivers. Trey says they are going to do one more and they play Life On Mars by David Bowie for the first time ever. Wow, what an interesting cover song! Pretty solid first set, and looking forward to the next one.

The 2nd set begins with Trey sharing that “this is the town that I was born in. Fort Worth Children’s Hospital I crawled into this world through the other dimension!” Then Phish shocks me, and others, by playing Tube. My first one and last time played at the Game-Hoist show (99 show gap). Page takes the lead solo on his baby grand and they wrap it up in under 4 minutes Uncle Pen keeps the energy up and Texas gets a little country vibe.

Theme From The Bottom rolls in and the jam seems to have a bigger than normal vibe right from the start. They take this one deep and close by spacing out the ending post chorus. Trey jumps on his percussion rack and creates waves of sound. Out of the noise the Wilson ba-dum notes can be heard; it takes a few before the crowd starts chanting “Wilson!”. Trey stalls longer than usual before the “Blat Boom” ending which fizzles to near quiet before Run Like An Antelope begins. While it’s a great set closer I enjoy mid-set Antelopes a lot. Fishman lays down an incredibly fast beat and everyone settles into the fast pace. The intensity/insanity builds and builds until a minor breakdown prior to usual climax. The outro groove is pretty cool as Fish/Gordo initiate some start/stops as Fish fills the silence with some timely cymbal strikes, and Page briefly teases Low Rider, Maze and Landlady. I’ve always had fond memories of this “Fort Worth Trio” of songs that spans 30 minutes.

Keyboard Army emerges out of the ending and the guys migrate to Page’s keyboards. The crowd eats it up as usual. The Lizards follows and sounds great in this venue. Both Page and Trey nail their respective solos; top notch Phish! While My Guitar Gently Weeps is welcome in its first non-set-closing role since it was debuted.

They sing Sweet Adeline without mics before playing a set closing The Squirming Coil. Page takes his sweet time and brings it way down before solidly finishing his solo. Perhaps the rest of the band, while waiting for Page off stage, decides he should also close out the show with Bold As Love (20 show gap), the 1st of three that Fall tour, and the 8th cover song that night! It was a fun night with a very interesting setlist.

The next two shows were in Austin, TX and less than 200 miles away, an easy 3-hour drive. This was a welcome relief after covering over 2,300 miles since Monday morning for two shows.

Worthy of a listen: Split Open And Melt, Theme From The Bottom > Wilson > Run Like An Antelope

#20yearslater

My first show as well. Then I went to the next 2 nights in Austin, good times! Still my favorite band and still love watching them play. I try to still make as many shows as I can, as if I were 18 again. Wow, 19 years have gone by! Bit I wouldnt change anything. It was all a great experience and well worth it. It has taken me to all 4 corners of the US. From Vermont to Florida, to Cali. They have made me who I am today, which is still a college graduate who has been fortunate enough to land a good job that allows me to travel (sometimes get paid to work when I go to a show) to see them as much as time allows now. Used to be vice versa, no money but all the time in the world. Oh how things change. Thanks Phish for 19 awesome years! Looking forward to 19 more!

I was there and it was my first show. I also remember that comment from Trey but is it true? Was he born there?

The show was mellow in a refined and sophisticated way. A nice introduction to the band but not a total mind-blower. It did open my mind to how skilled the musicians were and made me feel they were more like The Beatles than the Grateful Dead.

My first impressions were blown to shreds the next night but still I think this was the right way to get on the bus for me.

SET 1: Ya Mar: Trey’s play it Leo is quite aggressive, lol.

Also Sprach Zarathustra > Maze, Billy Breathes, I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome[1], Prince Caspian: Standard.

Split Open and Melt: This one gets all down into the muck and mire. Trey’s tone sounds a lot like his tone in 2003 and 2004. Very muddy. This trudges along until the late 9’s when they start heading for the finish line. Has a good climax to it. Cool version.

Fluffhead: Standard.

Life on Mars? – Phish debut, odd set closer.

First set summary: This source from on Phish.in sounds amazing. SOAMelt was interesting. Really solid set, but in terms of something to revisit – there just is not much there.

SET 2: Tube: Awesome way to come out of the break with a nice bustout, last time played was at the Gamehoist show 6.26.94, a 99-show gap.

Uncle Pen: Standard.

Theme From the Bottom: Has that IT factor, just exceptionally played while staying within its true structure. This has a 2.5-minute space jam tacked on the end of it ->

Wilson -> Run Like an Antelope: Pretty standard stuff but the space between Wilson and Antelope is notable >

Keyboard Army, The Lizards, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Sweet Adeline: Standard.

The Squirming Coil: Very long, very quiet Page solo.

ENCORE: Bold As Love: Fantastica as always.

Second set summary: Not a bad set in terms of the playing but in terms of the lack of jamming. The only thing to really sink your teeth into is the Theme. I would rate this show as a 3 out of 5 as there are only two things I would ever care to revisit.

This was my first show! Mostly clueless at that point in my life, I had heard Junta (Dinner & a Movie stand out) but I do remember Antelope, and turning to my next door neighbors and saying "holy shit!!!!!" Mind = blown! Definitely was blown away and still hooked years later.

I remember a guy in Spokane(10/7) yelling "Play Tube some day!". Well, they played it 3 shows later. Dammit! Back in 1995 Tube was a rarity only being played 3 times, this being the first of the 3. Also, I remember something about Trey making a comment about being born in Ft. Worth. I dunno if I heard it on the tapes or what. I got these DATs off of Bill Shaw later in the tour. Thanks Bill! ...wherever you are!

Ditto @23piper 100%. My first show. Same impressions. Next night blew me away and was where I got "IT" but this show was also fun and a great introduction. And only a few blocks from my house at the time!

Highlights for me were Maze, SOAM, Tube, Antelope and I was hooked to go to Austin the next night 1/2 way through While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Squirming Coil did, ultimately, have me screaming for more as well. Overall, a fun show!

Trey was born in Ft Worth. I went to highschool with a cousin of Treys. If his Dad is still alive he lives in Dallas Ft Worth area, or at least still did around 1997.