@FACTSAREUSELESS said:

Interesting comments. I glossed over Chris's commentary regarding the "retribution" angle for Halloween, because I wanted to focus on the overall quality and tenor of his comments, but I did not agree with that either, nor do I think it represents where the band is coming from, unless Chris has some inside info that neither of us are privy to.

I think Trey basically fell over himself thanking the fans in attendance on Halloween night, knowing full well that they had indulged the band patiently.

I've been silent on the subject, but I thought the Halloween show was horrible. The songs were too complex to warm up to on such a sudden, undiluted level and the whole experience felt like a grade-school musical, with nervous tension everywhere.

I don't criticize the band for it, though, as I thought it was heartwarming and endearing that they trusted their fan base enough to pull something like that. Very risky.

Again, I don't think Phish had any hidden motives here....certainly not "revenge" or something similar. I think they're way too busy trying to create the best possible experience to be all-too-focused on negatives, worse, perceived negatives.

The band would never have made it this far if they were that hypersensitive to every negative comment that floats around. We can trust they're quite a bit more professional and thick-skinned than that.

respectfully, i disagree with your assessment of this situation.
i attended the the AC shows and my first halloween show with Phish was a most refreshing music experience. i do not understand who the people are who might be complaining a lot because i do not read the forums, but everyone i have encountered in person with whom i discussed Wingsuit shared positive feedback. i was there and i could feel some magic. everyone i have talked with about Wingsuit has at least two new song favorites.

since the halloween show, i have listened to Wingsuit as a record, as a whole, at least once each day. i love it. perhaps some people are mostly comfortable with the familiar and going to a new unexplored space is a conceptual stretch... i don't know.

i do not hear the comments from Trey and Fishman as anything other than vast appreciation of a great an attentive audience. i love Wingsuit and i am looking forward to the release of the studio recording in it's completion. i am also looking forward to the future with Phish and Wingsuit was a literal turn in that direction.

artists have to do what inspires them most at a given time. they cannot force themselves to follow a tradition for the sake of following tradition because it will come off as hollow. it seemed to me that the band Phish was very inspired with some new compositions they are working with and it was appropriately conceptual to release these songs for us on halloween, rather than spend their time before the shows learning and practicing someone else's music.

i was not disappointed. not at all. it was a happy halloween - in my world.