[We would like to thank Patrick, user @robertpollardisaplorb, for this recap. -Ed.]

Having seen my first Phish show on the Xfinity Center lawn in 2010, this weekend of shows allowed for plenty of reflection on just how far things have come since those days. I had spent the last two nights in the pavilion solo, but opted to spend Sunday on the lawn to dance with friends new and old during the night’s festivities. As the band entered stage left and got settled in, my friend quickly sensed the incoming "Free" opener.

Following a fun and standard “Free,” Phish were quick to uncork the jams with the dependable “A Wave of Hope,” the jam itself veered into a fun celebratory major jam in many ways reminiscent of the Camden 99 "Chalkdust," and eventually settled into a dark synth space before coming to a peaky close.

From there a well-placed “Bathtub Gin” was also taken for a walk and helped keep the energy and fun going as the sun started to sink lower in the sky. Around this time I began to hear cheers coming from right to left, and noticed a runner doing laps around the lawn, it was fun to watch the energy of Phish sustain him through his run and the crowd cheered for him every time he passed. Does anyone know anything about him? Seems like a worthy Strava follow. As the mystery runner escaped my site, Phish started up the familiar “Wilson.” A fun way to end this section of the show.

“The Connection” came next and kicked off one of the more unique zones of the evening. While “The Connection” might not be a song that many folks are consciously chasing, seeing it live made for a good excuse to check its song history. While it came from 2002’s Undermind, it was a surprise to learn it had only made its way into a Phish show for a total of six (6) times. Following “The Connection,” Phish slipped into the second bust out of the night, the closing track to Sigma Oasis, “Thread.” Which has a similar stat line worth checking out here.

Following “Thread,” a brief, but mighty, and evil jam emerged out of nowhere reminiscent of Black Sabbath or Sleep. This was among the more unexpected moments of the weekend, and while this zone was short lived, it left an impression. Was it a rare non sequitur jam? A quote or tease? The start of an unreleased song that they decided against playing? A clue of what is to come at Mondegreen? Whatever the case may be, this sound was abandoned for the familiar and lovely “Joy.” Who doesn’t get a little emotional when they start that one up?

Next up we had a “Runaway Jim,” sounding Jim. My first "Jim!" A fun song to catch live no doubt, but in this case it functioned as a set up for for the set-closing "Life Saving Gun," a great placement for the tune, complimented by a fun rock n roll build up and finish.

Like nights one and two, set two kicked off with a traditional set ender, “Squirming Coil.” This one meant something to me, being my first. It’s hard not to take a moment and bask in it all as Page regaled the audience with beautiful melodies on the grand piano as the full moon began to rise above the venue.

As "Coil" came to a contemplative end, the opening notes of “Tweezer” sent everyone into a frenzy. The jam itself was a very subdued affair, veering into a few directions but mostly remaining in a cosmically positive and contemplative Trey-led zone. While it did serve as the longest jam of the weekend, it was not the deepest.

“Scents and Subtle Sounds” is a welcome friend in any setlist, and this one is no exception. At around the 13-minute mark the jam leans into some of my favorite territory of modern Phish and gets very synth heavy while the band is awash in texture. Sometimes a Phish jam, paired with the magic of CK5, sounds almost like they are creating some type of sentient creature coming to life and taking its first steps. Moments of this jam reminded me of the classic Duane Allman “bird call” sounds he created with his slide on "Mountain Jam." This time done to great effect with octave pedals.

“Twist” kept the energy moving along, and the set reached “Crosseyed and Painless,” a 14 minute non stop dance party! Trey masterfully looped his bends leading to fun peaks and shredding while Page worked things out with him on the piano.

The set-closing “Slave To The Traffic Light” was a perfect cherry on top to a great set. Well played and perfectly placed. The contemplative zones it reached allowed for the crowd to take a nice and welcome breather after the last many songs kept them on their toes.

For my money, Mike was the best I have ever heard him and the clear MVP of the weekend. Dropping bass bombs that could be felt from the front row all the way to the porta-pottys at the back of the venue. He was clear and present in the mix, oftentimes during first sets he seemed to be communicating with the crew continually for one reason or another. Whatever he was talking to them about seemed to pay off big for everyone in attendance, and it was great to hear him lead the band on “Possum.” The last “Possum” I had heard was the Derek Trucks sit in at SPAC, so Page’s piano soloing was a very welcome change of pace. I’m curious if any Mike songs will go type 2 in a big way this year because he was unrelenting, “Human Nature” almost seemed like it was bound for liftoff night two. I’d be very surprised if nothing from this weekend ended up on Mike’s year end “favorite jam” playlists on livephish.

"Tweeprise" sent us home with smiles on our face. The entire weekend the PA send off music has been by J Geils Band. The sounds of “Must of Got Lost” echoed through the hazy Mansfield air to end the weekend. A perfect send off. If this is any indication of the upcoming year of shows we are about to experience, buy the ticket.

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