Thanks for the review, very well written. I love hearing all of these thoughts from fans who've been around a while because I'm 31, only got into jam bands in 2020, and only got obsessed with Phish in the last 12 months. I listen to a lot of 2.0 shows, more than anything else of theirs for sure, and tbh that is def the sound and style I prefer and I really wish I could have experienced those shows in person.

I can totally understand older fans hearing the music aged a bit, but I still get lost in their current shows' music and hypnotized by it the same way. Granted my context in the fandom is much different than most people. But as intense and noisy and amazing as I think those earlier shows sound, I have also found the same joy in the current way they jams sound, and I'm happy to be a part of this bands' long history now. That's the thing, I really love how historically Phish has always been Phish but have changed so much. There are times when I'm very familiar with more current versions of songs, and then listen to a bunch of shows from 98 when they played those songs and I'm amazed at even the tiny changes that have been added to the versions I hear them play now. Those things make me feel much more nerdy about them and make me explore more and more shows from every era.

So long story short, I'm always very tempted to wish I'd have been around for those earlier eras, but I really love the context that comes with this band in 2021-2023. And even as a new fan, it still feels like they're dedicating their current time and talents for me and the fans, but it also kind of feels like they've worked these last few decades to be the band that I fell in love with a little over a year ago.

Anyway, I loved the review and the insights! Thanks again.