1 week later and still trying to process what we experienced on night 2 (supplemented by re-listening post-show).

I could only hear the drumbeat of the walk-in music so could not have foreseen the Free opener, but those first notes hit and the colours started streaming down the screen like paint splashing down the sky, and I knew we were in for something good. Fiery type I jam with funky overtones throughout.

That was one of the best first sets I've heard live:
- They chose to go long on Axilla again during set 1 for me in Vegas, and used the same formula, with a gradual buildup to a wonderful crescendo (the only thing missing was the shock value of taking this classic to the limits).
- mercy was beautiful with a great visual backing.
- And then a killer 45 mins of Gin, Theme, SOAM that incorporated stellar music and amazing visuals.
- Gin was an excellent jam, high energy with a visual that started out as a gag but then turned into mesmerizing spinning objects. A lovely 2-3 min wind-down at the end.
- Theme was a beautiful, type II masterpiece, on one of the most stunning backdrops. Nearing 9 mins in, they hit a groove that reminded me of the Beatles' "I Feel Fine." Perpetual motion. Lovely smooth transition back to the end of the song.
- SOAM used the entire Sphere and the entire band. How they pulled themselves out of the disorienting cacophony to complete this one, I still do not know. At one point, I was pretty sure we were in Stranger Things and I was in fact in the Upside Down world.

Then the ultimate liquid set:
- WOH was whoah. Loved the psychedelic interlude about 9 mins in, before the jam hits its next phase.
- One of my regrets is that I didn't make better use of those haptic seats during WTU?, which was patient, spacey, and bass-tastic. Fishman with a great percussion rinse.
- Ruby Waves was tight and free flowing, and Trey shines amongst the
- ASIHTOS great jam into a blissful Prince Caspian
- YEM was just a delightful ending, and as many have previously commented, had a truly Phish-tastic visual accompaniment. The vocal jam was hilarious. My only qualm was that the jam & bass and drums sections were great and should have each been extended a bit

Of course, when Waves would have been the natural encore for this water-themed extravaganza, they close with a touching Wading in the Velvet Seat and left us all feeling good about Hood.

Thank you to the band for continuing to thrill in 2024, and for showing everyone how to do the ultimate laser light show

Jam-worthy: Free, Axilla, Theme, SOAM, WOH, Ruby Waves, ASIHTOS
Special mention: Gin, WTU?, YEM (vocal jam), Hood