Great show. There was definitely a difference in the playing and vibe than from the summer. My buddy saw every show of the first 2 week May/June tour, and I met him for Bonnaroo, Deercreek and Alpine. Then he did Indio. Even he said there was something different, better, at Cobo (and on the subsequent shows he followed.)

Perhaps because it was just a tour this time around. No cloud of "the Reunion" stuff hanging over. They'd been "back" all year, all the hype to the festivals was passed, the Halloween weekend buildup was passed; all the "can they really resurrect it all again?" stuff was proven and over. Now it was just back to being a band on the road doing their thing. That's a big load off the mind for any band.

There was a really great relaxed tightness about their playing. Trust.
They weren't worried about whether they were tight enough for the fans or themselves anymore it seemed.
They just played and it came out how it should have. Fresh, relaxed, organic, and fun.

It's a show I can put on as background if i want since it flows so well. Many times putting a show on for me requires being in a "phish zone" mood as I know I will ultimately zero in on the composition and execution levels. This show has those if you want them, but you can also just cook to it in the kitchen, (if that makes sense with what I'm trying to express.)

Being a Michigander all my life, my crew and I still can't believe we saw them at effing COBO.
Cobo is one of those "institution venues" for Detroit. Supposedly being torn down soon, so KISS and other acts who played there back in the days have come back in 2009 for one more show if possible.

It was like a dream come true. Even just Phish coming to Michigan again.
Thank you, Phish.