4/20 / Easter / the return of Phish to Portland after almost 26 years (or 46 days x 200). The expectations were high and Phish was clearly on a mission to burn the mutha down to the ground and then salt the earth for good measure. Sound quality in sec. 221 was pristine - especially Mike and Fish's bass drum. No boom, rattle or distortion. I wasn't going in with high expectations for Moda's acoustics but it ended up being excellent from where I was posted up.

Trey was so patient. Building things up like he was in no rush. Just in the kitchen baking a funky soufflé and putting his whole foot in it. I don't get why people are saying he sounded rushed. I had the exact opposite take and really enjoyed his mystical meanderings. He was a man with a plan who knew precisely where he's headed and will get there when he gets there.

Mike was in beast mode. The whole band looked like they were having a great time and boy, they sure know how to throw a party.

I got inside about 45 minutes before they took the stage and the vibe was fam AF. Folks walking around smiling and connecting with friends old and new like a big ol' reunion. The electricity inside was palpable and crackling with excitement and anticipation. Everyone in a great mood, happy to be there, and ready to party down. The three 90's kids that were sitting right next to me had flown in from Philly for a quick 4-day SEA/PDX run and had never been to the PNW before. They had a blast and we quickly became simpaticos before the show kicked off. They talked about really appreciating how different the vibe is out here while also marveling at the nonchalant open drug use and general northwest chillaxittude. The neighborly rows of folks surrounding my seat were trading old show stories and saying, things like, "sorry, tell me your name again." We were all making fast friends and setting a very nice communal atmosphere amongst strangers, greeting each other and feeling pretty excited for what we were about to witness when the lights went down. I think it helped that most of us were all in our late 40's, loved the band and had been seeing them for decades (and decades).

The Portland show was worth the wait all these years. I can't even complain about the choices surrounding 2001.

The people watching while walking thru the hallways was top notch. So much glitter, huge warm grins, beautiful NW weirdness and so many big, shiny, sparkly pupils. Lots of great loud costumes too - not to grab attention so much but to just help celebrate and contribute to the festive atmosphere. It was a very kind freakdown party. Made my heart happy to be surrounded by it.
I sat down for the first half of Scents but otherwise I didn't stop dancing the whole night.
It was one of those shows where you didn't care what they played because everything was sounding fantastic - all about the flow and mood. This one was about IT and I think the band knew it because I'm pretty sure they blew well past curfew and didn't care. If it's gonna be that kind of party every 26 years then we'll just pony up for the fine, sir. Truth be told, I'm someone who can be overly-critical sometimes - and about Phish especially - but I left the venue buzzing and vibrating from my head to my toes (even after Sleepless in Seattle and the road tripping). I had packed in all kinds of goodies tonight and hardly had to dip into my stash because it was absolutely not necessary. This one was really special.

Flew in from New York to help welcome Phish back to Portland for the first time in over 20 years, and it was worth it. The sound in Moda Center was a bit uneven in the first set, but that might’ve lent the band a feeling of looseness, or at least a little more leeway. Trey seemed to be rushing a little bit at times, perhaps to try and fit as much into the show as possible, but it wasn’t a big distraction. The lengthy 46 Days opener went plenty off-script before rifling back for a monstrous finish. Given the arena’s name and recent trends in mondegreenery, Moma felt like a surefire preshow guess, and it did not disappoint. Other highlights in S1 included a mammoth Sigma Oasis and a nicely placed Antelope right before the S.A.N.T.O.S. closer. S2 was another banger, full of Tweezer references and tease-adjacent sounds, but the feeling in the arena seemed to peak with 2001, sliding out of a righteously funky Boogie On Reggae Woman. Naturally, they nodded toward Mt. Hood with an engulfed Harry Hood to end the second. The Wilson -> Slave encore was a nice way to usher us to the end. All the while, CK5 was bringing Easter and Trail Blazers vibes in the lights, which only got better over time. I have to assume Bill Walton and Pope Francis would’ve enjoyed this one: a happy Easter.

I thought the first set from start to finish was smoking hot. My first post-COVID show. Hard to believe I’m saying this but the Sigma was a freaking monster version. It far exceeded what I was hoping for. I thought the second set was just a tick below the first. Call it 4.6/4.4 or in that neighborhood. Fun encore, old school. First show in Portland in decades. Big crowd. More amateur drinkers at this show than others. The sound was superb. I was at the Eugene show in 2014 where thru broke Plasma out. Honestly thought it was a superb, superb show.