I am not sure what some reviewers listen for with Phish, but I love the fact that they are outstanding musicians who can improvise better than anyone in the history of Rock, aside from the Grateful Dead. What I really listen for is when they take things out into deep space and explore uncharted territory. Takes risks and do something special that only happens that one time. For example the Golden Age from Vegas 2016. But before we rate this 3 show run lets go over Sunday.
A pretty Sunday 1st set. First 3 songs were decidedly a warm up. All standard. Interestingly this new song Sightless (I know, played once 4 years ago) was when it picked up a bit. Page was on for this set and show! Undermind, Mar, Broken Heart he tore them up! But mostly standard Sunday after noon chill. Then the highlight of Set 1 came with the new song stranger! This song rips! Page Clavinet playing was outstanding!! Stevie Wonder would have been proud. What a great new song from Trey. More of that please! The Ghost was nice improv warm up for set 2 like it usually is in this slot. A good jam! Friday wins the First set contest by a country mile! Form Axilla on it is almost a 2nd set with fantastik psychedelic improv for a 1st set. I just listened to it again completely straight and can totally confirm this to be true. Sorry you all missed it. Best Destiny jam I ever heard.
Sunday Set 2: Birds opener! I said to my buddies, it's about time they took Birds for a big jam like they used to in the late 90s...and they actually did!! Great jam. Wave also had a great jam. You would expect that for most 3rd quarters and they delivered! Then a personal fav for a bustout, Cinnamon!!! I love Crazy Horse and they even did a Crazy Horse ending! Then came the absolute highlight of the night ....Golden Age was finally the psychedelic monster that we know it can be. Not 2016 Vegas, but probably the best of the year! That was what I come for. Friday had that going for the whole 2nd set pretty much. Listen to it again if you don't believe me! Then came another new Trey song that I think is very strong. The Well starts of with a chill vibe and some great soloing from Page then Trey.....and then it drops into the Dark angry part that rages!!! Love that stuff! Reminds me of Carini type power! Killed it and then> YEM!! What a great set! YEM was a good one. Mike solo was stellar!
Encore: I think Howling is such a great funky tune!! Love it! But as we slid into the rock out ending with Suzie the Psychedelic glow from Golden had dispersed. Not like Friday which was psychedelic to the last note of Antelope!
For my taste (which I explained above), This weekend run is not even close. Friday wins by a long shot!! Heck, the Oblivion alone is better than Saturday's disco Dance party whole show or Sunday. I challenge you doubters to go and listen again. It is absolute MAGIC!! But so is the Axilla, Wolfman, Destiny, Jiboo, Light and Antelope. I have seen 23 shows this year from the couch and live in person and Friday was one of the best of the whole year....whether you like it or not! Vote me down all you folks that seem to prefer a Funk n Roll disco dance party over improvisational genius. I don't care. I just feel sorry for you.