Peacey, don't know if it's the time you were thinking of, but he did exactly that on the first night of the Hampton 09 shows during the second-set-closing YEM. I was as close to the stage as I've ever been (before or since) and I totally noticed exactly what you described. It was like ... the Fluffhead opener, the well-rehearsed and tight playing all night, erasing our memories of Coventry and the worst of 04 ... the sheepish, apologetic look on his face was like "Fuck. We came and did exactly what we wanted to do, slayed that first show, and then I fucked it up." (Even though he absolutely didn't.)

Anyway, I enjoyed the read, and I appreciate reading criticism of Phish in general. I don't wear the blinders, and while I don't choose to dwell on the negative, I don't hate on the people providing serious criticism.

BUT ...

The thing I dislike about the Jaded Vet crowd is that it has become this badge of honor. And to wear the badge, you must conform to all the rules of being a Jaded Vet. You can't allow yourself to enjoy a nice Prince Caspian, for that would ruin your Jaded Vet cred. You must dismiss any Tweezer less than 18 minutes, because if they don't stretch it out it's utter shit. Etc etc etc.

And that's all fine in blog posts and forum discussion ... but I went to the Gorge with someone who I'd put in this category, and I actually felt bad for him. He wouldn't allow himself to enjoy the show as a fan of Phish, or of music. He was bound by the ethos of the Jaded Vet. And he, like every reviewer I read afterward, MUCH preferred night 1 to night 2. And you know why? (We all know why) Because they went all Type-2 crazy on Rock and Roll and had a killer segue into Meatstick. Yes, that was fucking awesome, but the energy/flow/awesomeness of night 2 as a whole completely blew away night one if you ask me (or any of my other non-Jaded-Vet crew), Rock and Roll-> Meatstick notwithstanding.

Anyway, that doesn't have a ton to do with the meat of this article, but the intro referenced people's attitudes regarding the Jaded Vet segment of the fanbase. I have no beef with criticism, but I think people submarine their own enjoyment of Phish, and they do it intentionally just to sing the same chorus as the other Jaded Vets on all the blogs.

2¢