The Scene: This was my first time watching the Phish from the FLOOR of MSG. At past new years runs I've always been high up enough in the 300, 400 Levels to touch the CEILING. Anyway, the change in location made a big difference, and being so up close made it feel like I was watching a performance just for me and my close friends. So intimate.

The Music/Set 1: I secretly chase that 30+ monster jam, but last night I was in the mood for the Phish to show off their songwriting prowess, and Set 1 delivered. After the party funk of Moma Dance (this song never fails to move the crowd), Trey busted out Rift, a song whose lyrics push the music, and whose music pushes the lyrics to a huge emotional climax (a very special song, it reminds me of Divided Sky, but with the perfect lyrics to express itself).

Roggae and Sparkle were their typically awesome incarnations. The Line and 555 fit right into the set perfectly, and in my humble opinion these songs are more than welcome at any show I go to in the future ;D

I've heard Trey screw up It's Ice soooooooo many times, but this version is top notch. I don't know what it sounds like on replay, but live it was solid.....and hilarious when they broke down into funk half-way through the song. It took the audience a split-second to be like, "Oh shit, it's time to dance hard again, Yes!". The funk rules the crowd.

And damn, Page is on fiiiiiiiiire. The dude is unbelievable, and he's playing like I've literally never heard him play before. Maybe he's just taking more risks? I dunno. He can't catch roses for the life of himself, but so be it. ;D

Gumbo kept the funk alive.

And Walls of the Cave is always a treat to hear. Trey murdered the solo at the end.

Music/Set 2: Not much to write about for this set....words wouldn't really do it justice. I'm wont to say you had to be there, but I'm sure replay will do justice to the DWD and Carini. Unreal music. Somewhere around the middle of Carini, Trey and Page began breaking down the rhythm in a way that was so alien to my ears.

This band is becoming unreal in the way they manipulate sound. It doesn't happen every show, or every set, or every song.....but when it happens and you get to watch it and hear it live, its akin to a palm slap to the head. I'm not really sure how they keep it together while pushing the boundaries of rhythm, but it's awesome to watch.

If you're willing to spend just a little more cash, get yourself a ticket on the Floor for one of the next two shows. It's worth doing at least once. And plus the huge arena monitor above your head looks like a gigantic UFO..... even if you're not tripping balls ;D

Peace