Quick thoughts without the benefit of a re-listen

I really liked Llama. At least it eliminates the complaints about Trey botching it all the time. I wonder if this indicates it might be played again this tour, and perhaps in more regular rotation in future tours.

Loved Moma too. Love the effort to infuse new life into predictable songs.

The Maze's this tour have given Trey an opportunity to show off his improved chops, so I imagine we'll hear it again at Magnaball and then Dick's.

Loved the slow build Wolfman's. All versions are great these days, but this was a nice departure from the usual funk-fest.

Devotion to a Dream is a catchy song and I can see why it is a first set standard. Everyone seems to dig it when it's played.

I don't like The Wedge but the last couple versions have had some oomph. I definitely like it in the one-slot rather than mid set when it can stifle momentum and flow.

What a great Golden Age jam with a nice defined, dirty "peak".

Does anyone have a problem with Reba now in heavy rotation? Another stellar version.

I think the second jam in Mike's will return on occasion but the standard format will be more common. Which is perfectly fine.

I think Trey wanted to do some stop/start/woo jamming at the beginning of Ghost but the others didn't play along. Great version, and a nice departure from the usual transition to blissy hose.

I think Trey audibled No Quarter. Page wanted Ghost to continue, but Trey interrupted him. My guess is they discussed it before/practiced it since it was such a clean version. The crowd was psyched.

Weekapaug seemed a little sloppy, but I love Trey's renewed effort to play discrete notes in places he would usually vamp or shred. Nice peak.

Was surprised to not see it end the set. First Tube was also sloppy but it was wholly irrelevant. Like Character Zero at Mann, Trey took an already standard animated performance to another level. With constant jumping of all kinds (more than usual), lunges at the crowd, fake guitar throwing, rock god guitar in the air. It is nice to see such incredible energy and enthusiasm for songs that play themselves.

Ummm...They play slow songs sometimes as encores and they work perfectly fine. Deal with it. Fire was executed really well for a bust out. It had been 2 years since the last one.

Another stellar summer effort at a venue that very well could have gone in the Saturday night special 10-11 song direction given the neophyte, laid back crowd and all the "regulars" who skipped it. There were almost no glow sticks. Which was kind of nice.

An Audience With The Raleigh Llama
by Dwayne Boyd

August 14th 2015 marked the 18th anniversary of the now infamous Darien Lake show featuring Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters. On my most recent Phishing trip to Walnut Creek, NC, I kept an open mind and the belief that anything can happen. Summer 2015 has been full of surprises, bust-outs, and tight playing by Phish.

Friday was an example of Phish having some serious fun. The “Llama” opener was slowed down and played as a funky jam. Elements of this song seemed reminiscent of Blondie’s 80’s hit “Rapture.” This was a new spin on a tune that is usually played as fast as possible.

“Chalk Dust Torture” was a straight forward rocker. It lifted the tempo and got fans jumping.

More Phish flavored funk was delivered during “Moma Dance;” It is a sultry groove.

“Yarmouth Road” had a definite Reggae feel as fans under the pavilion swayed and bounced.

The “Tube” that came after was well played; it got the blood pumping. It had the potential to break things wide open. Instead, we, the fans were taken to the very edge.

The band opted to move into “Bouncing Around the Room” next. Fans under the shed, around me, were pogoing up and down.
“Maze” was a heavy rocking version. Phish climbed the hill, before leveling out and slowing things down a bit.

“Waiting All Night” from Fuego was atmospheric.

Page stepped out from his “Chairman of the Boards” position and sang “Lawn Boy” for the phaithful. During this particular offering, he gave multiple nods to “Bassman, Mr. Michael Gordon.”

“Devotion to a Dream,” is a song that resonates personally with me right now. My connection with this band runs deep. It’s is uncanny how they provide a soundtrack for current events in my life.

This trip from Massachusetts to Raleigh and back is part of my healing process.

Phish brought the funk back with a laid back but still groovy take on “Wolfman’s Brother.”

This was followed by one of Len Fishman’s personal favorites, “Suzy Greenberg.” This rendition did not disappoint. It was an appropriate closer for set one. Jon attempts to share his feeling about neurologists and tries to say that his name is, “Max.”

The second frame of this show began with “The Wedge.” It’s a rhythmically interesting song that always tends to transport me to an earlier time in phishstory.

“Golden Age” is a cover originally performed by T.V. on the Radio showcased some sonic exploration by The Phish from VT. The tune seemed to open a portal in the set.

A seemingly playful version of “Reba” followed.

What transpired next, I was not prepared for in any way. When “Mike’s Song” began, I was all for some “sharin’ in the groove.” Nonetheless, those in attendance got more than we bargained for. I expected a Mike’s suite of Mike’s > Hydrogen>Weekapaug.

“Ghost” appeared instead. It was a like a welcome, funky friend.

This song was followed by the gift of Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter.” It was delivered with just the right amount of scary. Page’s vocals and haunting keyboard work were similar to the version in The Song Remains The Same. Seeing this tune played by Phish is a highlight in my personal touring career.

“Weekapaug Groove” dropped into the final slot of this musical movement. It’s a sold version that holds its own. It continues the vibe of the evening. Trey even drops some “No Quarter” teases to remind those who may have missed it.

If things were not already Phishy enough, “First Tube” brought the energy. The second set was closed with some punctuation.

The two song encore started off sweet with “Farmhouse.” The night ended with a nod to Hendrix. A blazing “Fire” almost sent me over the rail.

@MKnapik

"Other reviews are praising this Reba? Wow! Trey had a layover in "Flub City" during the composed section. This is "stellar"? Please curb your enthusiasm. The improvisation that followed made up for the "layover""

The composed section of Reba is of little significance to me....Maybe worth 5% versus the jam portion worth 95%. The jam was beautiful and elegant. So yes, the version was stellar to me. I know others really look for clean composed portions. Trey flubs a lot of the more difficult composed sections of songs. I don't really care. Glad you enjoyed the show. I thought it was strong, particularly given that it was squeezed between 2 storied northeast venues that will get a lot more attention.

Expectations high and critics out in full force after a great performance at the Mann...

The 2nd set at Walnut was simply awesome.

The 1st set is getting a lot of flak, but is pretty underrated after a second listen, IMO.

The Llama opener is great, along with Moma Dance, Yarmouth, Tube, and Wolfman's as the standouts for me. Phish clearly brought the funk and a laid-back vibe to this 1st set. Almost every song was clean and tight. Waiting All Night and DTAD were a little sloppy, IMO, but the rest of this set is really on point, if not a bit disjointed. Not every set needs to be a barn burner or a perfectly flowing experience, however.

Overall, I think this is a decent 1st, plus an awesome 2nd set and encore. Above average show in the middle of one of their best tours, at one of the highest points in the band's career. Can't ask for much more than that.

This has been the summer of Phish for me. It actually wasn't until May of this year that I decided to look these guys up and man, have I become a phan. They really are one of a kind and I'm glad I took the opportunity to see them for the first time. The Creek is not far from NCSU so that's a plus, although the venue itself had some trouble with some 65 arrest after the show...

I was there for the music, man. The show was phenomenal and didn't need anything to enhance the experience. Great opening with Picture of Nectar tracks. TMD was a hell of a groove. Wolfman's Brother (hence my username) was my fav of set 1. I loved set 2 with Reba>Mike's Song>Ghost>getting some Led out> and the always fun Weekapaug Groove.

Won't be the last time I see Phish live. Far out!

If ever a show deserved to be reviewed upon a song along (aside, obviously, from some epic jam) tonight might be the night.

Anyone who can remember - or who dials up - say, Auburn Hills 97, you can bring to mind's eye one funked out Trey, strutting from side to side, shaggy head flopping, grin widening, literally pointing, like Peyton Manning, audibles from his expansive playbook. There is this side to last night's Llama....

Then there is Page upon his piano.

If you ever get a sense that a certain member of Phish 'owns' a venue, Page seems to control the shares over at Walnut Creek. Yeah, it's Page who sends us off last night, and it's Page who comes to mind during 97's electric Taste.

If, during Llama, Trey's playing is going to take a 'back seat,' it makes sense - assuming Bela Fleck - isn't on stage, that Page's playing will shine. Such is the case here. He is active, bright, and he has some nice runs.

I'm not a Phish purist; I'm not a Phish anything, aside from a fan. And this Llama (300, or thereabouts) was cool. In the summer of anything goes, it makes sense. And while Llama may not 'depress' 'depress,' a few ideas compress to coalesce.

But Llama is one song that I do associate with Phish 'magic.' A cool experience, here's hoping Trey reserves this style of playing for Funky Bitch.

....

A standard CDT follows, as if to ensure that, as we hear later on in the evening, 'everything is going to be all right.'

Moma works well in its semi-customary set-up spot, giving Page a chance to get up and, well.... The playing shifts after the six minute mark, becomes decidedly uptempo, and Trey's playing to cool, backed, in full, by Page on his piano.

There's a nice Yarmouth (not much else to say).

Tube is as Tube was before Tube became something else. Tube will continue to polarize. But, keeping in line with Page, it does give him more room to Moog (and whatnot; his playing is great....), and Trey is whipping up some serious, serious, licks. So easy to see Trey flip on the Mu-tron and the tune once again take off. Who's to say.... Clearly the band know what they are doing.

Bouncing....

And then a fine Maze, another tune that going back I have always associated with Page (despite catching some crazy, demented Trey); moreover, when the band was once again finding its way, Page continued to shine and infuse fire with his inspired play amidst Trey's chording; there is more of that here.

This is terrible, but what the heck. I don't know how many people literally wait all night for Waiting all Night, but people seem to dig the tune. As the band digs all things Fuego, I see how the tune fits there evolution as people/musicians, and aside from the chill Trey playing, Page's accents on the piano are pretty. It's a nice song, especially when well-placed. (It seems to fit these 'sorts' of shows in lieu of Wingsuit)....

Lawn Boy.... Of course.

One thing Phish has done well this tour has played well within sets. To some, DTAD may seem uneventful, but, vibe-wise, it works well with what the band has going on in not so much a cool-down song, as a cool-down set.

A nice Wolfman's and a fun Suzy wrap up the set.

When it seemed as though Phish might 'abandon' covers, Golden Age was one of the first to enter the 'new' age. Things do get interesting around the six minute mark, with some really cool 2001-esque effects, and the almost Manteca-like playing from Trey, evinced so much this year. The playing is fine and while a lot of the year's great jamming seems moored in Mike's playing (and he's playing well here), Page is really active.... There is more of the playing which suggests a SOAM might emerge, some Tweeprise type chording, but we get an interesting ambient passage which is exciting, as it might mean anything.

At first listen I thought Simple.... Going back it's a weird transition into Reba. Love the song choice, and they band pulls it together into a nice jam.

What's not to like about a Mike's / Ghost / No Quart / Paug (aside from
the fact that it seems a little redundant? and the 'second' jam is absent? Nothing at all really.

A First Tube sends people home dancing.... Almost.

Love the attention Phish has given to encores this year. Farmhouse is a great, feel-good song. It's just a classic Phish song, in the way Cavern is. And then a bit of a bust out with Fire.

Of course this won't constitute one of the best shows of the year. But if this is considered one of the weakest (and many of the Raleigh shows rate that way), more proof supreme that it's a great time to be following this great band.

First set was weird from the start with the half-time funk llama. Rest of set Maze was my only lifeline.
Second set Wedgie unexpected. Didn’t jam though, then into Golden Age. GA jam really nice and then crash into ambience. I think Trey felt like it was going major and decided to throw the composed part of Reba in the middle then back into uptempo major bliss. Reba totally smoked, probably best I have seen live. Mike’s was psychedelic insanity and blew me away. Excellent Ghost emerges out of a potential Mikes 2nd jam (maybe they are going to make it a coin flip now?). No quarter perfect placement and Trey brought his FTW shreds to that mother. Weekapaug crazy peak felt good from the pavilion to me. Weird half-2nd jam in paug and then First Tube with a flub in the delay part from Trey (rig trouble?). Farmhouse encore sees Trey tuning and more rig trouble as he fails to play a solo. Fire finishes with a bang with more Trey shreds.
I got the sense that there is another change in Trey tonight besides the practice from FTW. I think he also saw a glimpse of the band’s mortality and legacy and is just grabbing the shows by the balls like they are his last. Look at him in first Tube. Heard similar from Zero at Mann.

If we were judging by just the second set, this one would be among the tops of the tour. Better than MPP1. But there is the first set to consider, and this one was rather uninteresting, although I dug the funk-style Llama and hope it continues. There were just too many throwaway songs (Bouncin', Lawnboy, Waiting All Night), a standard Moma Dance and Tube. and generally a lack of anything really exciting. Maze and Wolfman's were the highlights, but neither went into any non-standard places.

But the second set! Pretty much every song had that extra juice. Wedge started with an unusual degree of shreddage, and then Golden Age produced a long and stellar jam. Mike's kept the energy up. Ghost ended way too soon but only to segue into No Quarter! One of my all-time Zep faves, with it's haunting organ part and spooky vocals, and this one lived up to its billing, as Trey took it into the stratosphere. Weekapaug featured plenty of exploration, although limited, staying in the groove. And then to top it off, a massively shredded First Tube.

Southwest Virginia does not have an official home base or venue. If there were a home base venue for SWVA Phish fans (as distinct from RVA and eastern shore VA fans), then it would probably be John Paul Jones (JPJ) arena at the University of Virginia (UVA), which Phish played back in December 2009, and to date, only once (come back!). Whenever SWVA fans want to see Phish, we have to make a drive, and sometimes a flight. Raleigh and Charlotte, NC are roughly 2-3 hours away give or take, so I like to think of these amphitheaters as home turf. Hampton or Portsmouth from SWVA is a good 5-6 hours drive, just about as long as it would take us to get to get Philly or Merriweather Post.

Mann night 2 is not a show you can easily top. It’s tough following, perhaps, one the finest shows of tour thus far (with Atlanta night 1 and Blossom not far behind – who knows what is in store for the now SOLD OUT Magnaball?) So what does the greatest band in America do? They let it go: no expectations, no anxiety, no worries – they are just going to play a Phish show, and that is what they did. High expectations will always be met with dissatisfaction – so don’t have any. This Phish “tour of the ages” has not been without its lulls, but by no means duds. Shows stand out, yes, but Phish tours, ultimately, come down to the tapestry of the whole (and we are not done yet!)

Those that like to speculate on set lists could easily see this performance as a likely “hits” show – more radio oriented tunes for the uninitiated (or to some fans, the show to unload many of these tracks to make room for other things). By some extent, it was. Hence, “Waiting All Night” (which is a solid ballad – it is a different sound for Phish and I dig it) as well as some Phish classics like “Bouncing” (face it: people have talked smack about this song since Phish wrote it in the early 90’s, myself included; but every time Trey hits that solo at the end, it is bliss). I had been calling “Llama” all tour to open a show. And just like they did in the underrated Raleigh 2010 show, they opened with it (also performed at the 2003 Raleigh show – I’ve seen three “Llama’s” at the same venue). However, this “Llama’s” arrangement was slower, funkier, and all together a big surprise. Mixed in with first set crowd pleasers like “Moma Dance,” “Maze,” “Lawn Boy,” and “Wolfman’s Brother” and a particularly good “Yarmouth Road” if I do say so myself (am I the only one who likes this song?), there is nothing on paper or on tape to complain about, besides these songs being staples. Last first set note: I'm digging “Devotion to a Dream” now. At first, I was not a fan, but you can really feel the band mean’s what it is singing here.

The redeemable quality of this show is consistency, which is the hallmark of this entire tour. The second set is all about flow and intensity, not necessarily big jams, but jams nevertheless. On the one hand, I mean nothing outside the 13-14 minute mark. On the other hand, the tight jamming was excellent and entertaining. Although I am not necessarily a “Golden Age” fan per se – if they jam it out like they did last night then I have no problem with it at all. The “Reba” last night was superior to the one in Atlanta, night 1 (the Atlanta shows the only other two shows this tour, besides the 4-night Miami run in January, I was fortunate enough to see). “Mike’s Song” followed, and while hoping for the “second jam,” Phish threw a curve ball going into a fiery, but brief “Ghost.” No complaints here. By this point, one can tell the key to this second set is not song length, but flow and intensity.

In the past, I would have expected a “Velvet Sea,” “Number Line” or “Joy” to suck all momentum out of this set. That was not the case, however. “Ghost” dissolved into a bust-out cover of Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter” which blew the roof off Walnut Creek. Whole band effort, Page bringing on the keys, with Trey absolutely crushing this Zeppelin classic. The flow and intensity continue into “Weekapaug” making this a pretty-ripping Mike’s sandwich. “First Tube” was the exclamation point for the evening – total face-melt spectacular (although admittedly, there were a few flubs, but they covered themselves well, I thought).

Phish seemed to have embraced “Farmhouse” more recently as a matter speaking sincerely to the flock: that Phish shows are a place of joy, openness, and happiness. While certainly derivative of Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry,” “Farmhouse” is not a song I particular dislike, but nonetheless can pass. After a second set like that, I could care less about what they encore with – a double encore at that (unless something otherwise unique or awesome). “Farmhouse” was followed by a bombastic Jimi Hendrix cover of “Fire,” with accompanying Trey-Languedoc pyrotechnics. But, unfortunately, this is the one cover I never want to hear just because I think it’s throwaway (no matter how awesome it may be live or how many shows since it was played).

This was not Atlanta. This was not Blossom, nor Mann night 2. It probably won’t be MMP 1 or 2, nor whatever awesomeness Phish throw down at Magnaball. However, this was by no means a “bad” show or a “dud” show. In fact, this being my 40th Phish show, this would probably rank in the middle of those…somewhere. My only real complaint was security. Too many people were busted at this show. Security going into the venue was painfully slow. Next time Phish plays North Carolina, come back to Charlotte. PNC is a better venue with more relaxed security. Not to mention the Raleigh traffic getting to the venue…

Taboot!

Patient show. Yes they are on to something with the pace of that llama. Not sure Yarmouth Road really works.
second set is a gem, segue after segue. Ghosts of this tour have been so amazing. No Quarter soared. Trey's runs on Weekapaug= next level material. first tube!
Love the Farmhouse, Fire encore.
Night after night they are bringing their best.
Is 2015 Summer Tour the best ever? Might be.

@zwyts

Does anyone have a problem with Reba now in heavy rotation? Another stellar version.

NO.

Especially when you consider where they are willing to play it. I was impressed with Shoreline. The Atlanta Reba - which really is rather 'short' - features some of my favorite playing this year. I love vintage Reba's with the patient fills and builds; the unhurried shades of melody blended with scattershot notes and, from Fish, the incredible syncopation. Plus, it affords the opportunity for Trey to employ that 90s 'tone' which I, for one, will never tire of.

This my first ever birthday show, and from the opening slowness of the now famous "Raleigh Llama" , some of my faves Moma Dance, Tube, Bouncing, Maze , Lawn Boy, Wolfman's, and the set-ending Suzy, the first set was excellent, imo. The 2nd set opened with another great one from Rift The Wedge and we were off again. My first ever Golden Age>Reba(my absolute favorite song by these guys), was then followed by some sweetness. Mikes Song , love it but have seen it more than any other song ever, and then my personal highlight along with that Llama, No Quarter !! My Son was with me and had run for a brew during Mikes, and when Page started the opening chords to No Quarter, I was freakin both for me and seeing this epic, but also wanting my Son(a Zeppelin lover) not to miss it, and just then he ran up high fivin it. The First Tube closer was killer. And F & F encore was adequate for me to close a memorable evening on my 53rd birthday spent with my Son and our great phriend Miles Hollifield, who also I must say paid for this for my Birthday and I am forever grateful.

@MKnapik

Other reviews are praising this Reba? Wow! Trey had a layover in "Flub City" during the composed section. This is "stellar"? Please curb your enthusiasm. The improvisation that followed made up for the "layover".

So you like or dislike the Reba?

I don't think anyone was calling it 10/31/95 or Island - major flubs w/ transcendent jams (or any of the countless others, for that matter). But Trey's playing in Reba post composed section has been consistently great/cool all year.

As for the kids.... They're everywhere at venue with a nice lawn. Laugh along with you, regarding Page. This is what I consider a Page show. Lawn Boy, Iron Man.... He even gives his little shout out at the end.

In 96 Page was my favorite musician to follow (in terms of development and what he added to shows). Tonight was his night. Let's hope shows revert back to form. I'd rather have him concentrating on what board to hop to, as opposed to what to say, or sing....

The first set was a very "family friendly" almost pedestrian affair. (This observation may be stemming from the large amount of tykes milling about on the lawn during the set.) No, I was not tripping - the fan base is getting older - and procreating. Another observation regarding the "younglings": every single child wore a Phish shirt (official and bootleg) - the marketers are on to something methinks! I can only imagine what the future holds for these kids.
Anyway, back to the music of The Phish...
Set I: The Llama opener was nice. That is all (see above).
Set II: I must admit I was a little concerned after the utter blandness of set I. Kicking the set off with Wedge did little to alleviate my fears. But then...Golden Age - thank you! I thought "hopefully this will lead to something more engaging". It took a little while to get there, but eventually I was able to relax.
Other reviews are praising this Reba? Wow! Trey had a layover in "Flub City" during the composed section. This is "stellar"? Please curb your enthusiasm. The improvisation that followed made up for the "layover". I was hoping for a Tweezer to follow. Mike's was an okay substitution (in my mind).
OMG! The Ghost that followed was so delightfully dark, gritty and sinister - my earlier "fears" were squashed! I think this version will be in heavy personal rotation. The new soundtrack for my morning commute - keep off the sidewalks! It had a "Fukuoka Darkness" that was truly something to behold - I'm glad I was there to experience it! I really enjoy the music of The Phish!
No Quarter! A ballsy song sung by the wimpiest man in rock & roll (sorry Page). Fun stuff! Just an observation. Had me laughing and smiling throughout.
Weekapaug was a nice set-up for the super-hectic set closer. I'm a little hoarse this morning because I was screechin' and hollerin' so damn much throughout the last 2/3rds of the second frame.
Does 2/3rds of a second set make for an exceptional show? Nope. I had to see what all the buzz was about firsthand. I'm glad I drove myself to Raleigh to experience The Phish at this point in their career. The tour is indeed a high-water mark in their history. This show is a 3.