Dark, dark, dark. If you like 2003 then this show is money in the bank; otherwise you're advised to steer clear, as this is 151-proof Summer '03 midnight madness. So many dark '03 jams were resolved with performances of Bug; this version of Twist is a perfect illustration of why that move was necessary. The half-hour Scents is tempestuous and imperfect and wonderful; Walls gets (surprise!) dark to close the show; late-Set II YEMs are always a little wild, and this one's no exception. If you care about the covers then these covers are something you'll no doubt care about, but it's the long aggressive jams that make this show. The runup to IT was excellent and this is the gnarliest of the pre-Limestone shows. Enjoy.

It's funny reading 03 reviews and seeing people complain about Phish jamming too much.
Excellent improv throughout this show, one of the best YEMs post-90s, a Scents that was completely blown out into the astral plane. One of the most inventive Chalkusts ever, a Twist around for the ages.

Flash forward 7 years, sneak this show into summer tour 2010 and it'd be the most beloved show of the tour. Secret Smile and all. It has something for everyone, but for some reason people chose to pour negativity into everything Phish did in the 2.0 era, developing stupid opinions that had little to nothing to do with the imaginary drop off in musical quality from 2000 to 2003. This show is a shining example of just how powerful the catharsis of stepping on stage was for Phish in those days. Everyone seems to take it the wrong way. This music is so dense and interesting because it's the sound of four guys stepping into their safe place and poring passion into every note. When the average review features people moaning about flubs in songs they never cared about instead of celebrating this fascinating brand of improv, it's clear why Phish recognized a massive disconnect between themselves and their aspiring Us Weekly beat writer fan base.

Miles Davis life was spiraling out of control pretty much his entire career. The heroin and busted-lip hookers and hustlers lurking behind every note. Someone alert huh..everyone that his musical value needs to be diminished by shit that really isn't any of everyone's concern.

This show is dark and wonderful. Full of Type II bliss. This show has gotten many mixed reviews and is one of the shows that I like talking about the most. It's so amazing on one hand and so very dark and odd on the other.

All in all, best Scents and Subtle Sounds ever, period. The S&SS jam is actually one of my favorite jams of all time.

(Published in the second edition of The Phish Companion...)

So far this summer, I had been to the Alpine and Deer Creek shows, and was really feelin’ the tour – much improved since the Winter, in my opinion. I live in the Philly/Camden area and was excited to be seeing a show in my home town, not to mention that it was the last "venue" shows of the tour.
My friends got searched and stubbed. I got searched, and I was ready to be stubbed, when the ticket ripper said, "Sorry, this is a ticket for tomorrow night. Nice try."
I realized that I must have taken the wrong ticket. My ticket was at home. I was standing there with a ticket to the next night. I stood there blankly for a moment, until it actually hit me that I might not be seeing the show. I argued and argued with the woman, begging her to let me in, explaining my mistake. No luck. I finally give up - I'm not getting into this show. Oh well, shit happens. Such is the way of the world (and careless people). I started to walk away, depressed. All of a sudden, in front of my eyes appeared a mail order ticket. I grabbed it out of what seemed like thin air. I turned only to catch my benefactor walking into the show without wanting any thanks. I'm not sure what he was still doing with an extra at this point (why didn't he sell/miracle it already?), but he anonymously decided to give it to me. I guess miracles do happen.
This night was interesting and everyone seems to have a different opinion of it. “My Friend” opener was certainly a treat, and got the energy going. Some uncommons/rares in the first set were a treat too, such as “Spock's Brain” and “Lonesome Cowboy Bill”. My highlight was the “Scents and Subtle Sounds”. Unlike a lot of people, I've really been impressed with (most of) the new material. It seems like they've been writing "jam vehicles" rather than actual songs, abandoning the epic, extremely technical sections of old, and instead writing relatively simple songs which allow them to fully explore the deep unknown of music. Ever since I first heard “Scents”, I felt like this song had serious potential, and the jam that came from this show's confirmed it. As they had been doing recently, they totally digressed from “Scents”, and truly traveled the seas. They did it again with the “Chalk Dust” (they also did this is on 7/10/99 in Camden).
Many people were disappointed with the rest of the show. A four song second set gave us some great, long jams, including a rockin' “YEM” (with a very creepy vocal jam). Still, the few number of songs and the “Secret Smile” encore left most fans wanting more.

I remember this night fairly well. My friend and I drove from Okla. to catch IT festival and stoped at the Camden show. Having seen over 80 shows since 94 I am no newby.
This is one of the darkest shows I've ever seen Phish play. It was incredible Looooooong jams, strange setlist, and nods to the festi we were all waiting for. You ain't Goin Nowhere was a strange but appreciated cover. Hadn't heard Spocks Brain since '95. The second set was a melt down. Anyone complaining about only 4 songs played weren't listening to what they did with those songs. Lame encore, but I was puddled. Thank you boys.

First set flowed nicely and featured lots of fun numbers. The Friend opener was raging. Second set was the first time I was ever truly disappointed at a Phish show. Thank goodness those days are over!