Having moved to CO the week of the “S” show has proven to me countless times that IT was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Phish's decision to return to Commerce City annually has proven to be one of the best career moves they have ever made. Sunday night at DICK'S started off going south, but in our community this means something else. From the opening licks of The Curtain With the boys were sending a message; in a sense regretting nothing and rewarding us with this treasure. After 13 minutes of pure bliss the boys left behind The Curtain With a broken leg, and bringing it forward Wombat emerged as the song we had to have. Listen for Fish's vocals as they are hilariously high-pitched. For calling Wombat I was rewarded with a ground-scored Abe Vigoda mask.
With the blessed return of the boy's in '09 who knew 3 days would turn into 5 years? Phish is arguably at the top of their game and next came a staple of the 3.0 era. Kill Devil Falls rarely deviates from standard form as this proved to be the case with the next two songs as well. We went from bouncing off the walls to Bouncing Around The Room and Poor Heart. Both classics fit beautifully in this set before breaking way to the rising tide of A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing. This venture into the sea proved to be powerful & punctual, but rather unambitious clocking in at 2 seconds quicker than her maiden voyage on Undermind.
Having safely reached landfall, Leo and Cactus serenaded us sweetly with Lawn Boy. Being in a soccer stadium and standing on a floor rather than grass feels strange. Having said that we could still smell the moist green organic as IT became time for another visit from The Wolfman's Brother. The smooth atonal sounds came down on us and absolutely crushed IT! This ship had not come aground as we sailed into the song I was waiting all weekend to hear. The ethereal Waiting All Night has drawn mixed reviews; however, I hope this song sails on the rotation.
Following in this trend of “W” songs The Winterqueen filled the space and resounded around the stadium with her song. This song is about wishing you were someone, something or somewhere else rather than accepting the beauty that lies within. When a new song enters the mix sometimes we dismiss IT and long for the classics and the comforts. Well, The Winterqueen's reign is far from over and following her came a visit from her older sister. Funky Bitch delivered as always as the boys sandwiched in a rippin' Tube between her and a set closing Possum. Phish must have known that my buddy T.J. Missed Friday night's first set and saved him an awesome Possum.
Knowing this would be the set-closer Amy and I made our way back to the sound/lighting board and to deliver a glow-in-the-dark “we all