It’s been said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. I’ll do my best to address the show, but this is the first time in a long time that I really feel compelled to write about a venue – so, sans dancing, architecture it is.

Blossom is great place to see Phish. It’s like a ‘poor man’s’ Tanglewood. The shed is triangular, and as signs and symmetry inform so much of the band’s history, it strikes me as noteworthy. More important than this, however, is the wide open, comfortable atmosphere. I saw so many great parents with so many with cool young kids (my twins are still a bit tiny to attend shows) that you couldn’t help but smile; and when you literally saw some of the seven- and eight-year-olds getting down to Ice and Gin, you couldn’t help but feel great.

There has been a lot of discussion regarding song selection. Personally, I want to see the band cull from their vast catalogue – regularly.

Others say, ‘Chill out, the band loves the new songs, let them have fun.’

What I’ll say is this:

When the band is CLEARLY having fun playing ‘standard’ or ‘old’ songs, you are in for one great show.

And once upon a time these were new songs….

So, if you follow the logic, what does this suggest will happen to the new songs….? Are we seeing some evidence of this already?

Someone else said it best: it comes down to preparation. Expect a Mound soon.

The Show—

ASIHTOS opened things up – and a bit by surprise. People came running from the bathrooms to catch the band work through an inspired and tight opener. Something felt right – maybe it was all the energy from the little kids – but the audience was locked in. The applause was loud and contagious. This lead to a slew of long-awaited tour ‘bust outs:’ (My Sweet One, Wilson, Timber, and Roses – check out the Gene and Dene ‘shout out’; and perhaps a nod to rose throwing and the emergence of said flowers upon the lot/lawn?). The band was fired up; the crowd was fired up…. The energy kept building.

Rift – a welcome repeat – followed, and found Trey playing just fine; at least for the most part (I have to go back and re-listen). If you’re gonna chill out for a bit, a nice Moma Dance is welcome in this spot; more great playing, and a different sort of ‘cool down.’ Ginseng quickly reasserts the established (non-funky) energy, with a lot more smiling and dancing.

Wingsuit.

I really like the tune in this spot. I know many fans want to see a deeper dive come Set II – and in time this will happen …. Tonight was not the night.

If Fuego is a bit of a concept album, it was fun to contrast soarring Wingsuit with Set II’s ‘surprise’ (it had been checked in the afternoon, and has been teased a few times this summer) Lizard; it was great to enjoy both triumphant guitar parts in the same show.

Another bust-out of sorts with Ice – check out the ‘jam’ – which, again, was well played….

….and then a rousing, rocking Gin (with a Call to the Post, just in case were weren’t already ready for Set II.

Awesome.

(Insert what seemed like a long break; maybe I was just more excited than usual.)

I have been ‘advocating’ for different tunes to open Set II. There have simply been a lot of Dusts and Diseases. But when the band took the stage and Trey laid into CDT, I had no complaints: really, you could feel that they were driven. There has been some chatter that the band is city-hopping, and to their detriment. Perhaps they stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night, because they were rested, energized, inspired, and in total control.

People better at breaking down the music will better describe what ensues…. But check out the set list. The show was that good. After the Tweezer melting into the land of the Lizards, I was really curious what the band would go with. I was thinking Fuego.

Nope.

Again, another surprise: Makisupa. Last played 11/1/13, this version included some ‘different’ banter, and was a great choice. Moreover, true to the show, it had some great Cactus soloing and cool outro jamming.

The Ghost caught me by surprise, and the tune was just as passionate and fiery as the rest of the night’s playing.

Really, Hood was the only thing that could follow – and it did. Sticking to the ‘show,’ as opposed to recent trends (plus the band was up against the clock), this was a classic Hood. But it was great – complete with DEG-like jamming from Trey.

My friend and I were hoping they’d close the SET with reprise – such was the night’s energy. And of course they did.

This was great, as it left a bevy of encore options. It HAD to be a rocker, but which. We knew how much time was left. An original would have been fantastic, but GDBT was fiercely played and seemed fitting – both sonically and ….

I’d write more about the music, but check it out for yourself. It really is a fine show. I’m not saying where it rates or why; it really was just a great time.

Asides:

People were really into Kuroda’s lights. Of course they always are, but some of his visuals garnered huge, uncharacteristic cheers.

It was great to see more on-stage discussion between songs.

I can’t remember the other…. It’s been a busy summer, and I’m tired.