SET 1: Axilla (Part II) > The Moma Dance, Wolfman's Brother[1] -> Izabella, Leaves, Reba, Chalk Dust Torture
SET 2: Free > Ruby Waves > Prince Caspian > Piper > When the Circus Comes, Tube > Wading in the Velvet Sea > Harry Hood
ENCORE: Train Song, Brian and Robert, Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.
Wolfman's Brother was unfinished. After Izabella, Trey said they had to play one by a local musician, Jimi Hendrix.
 
			© 2023 PHISH Rene Huemer
 I’ve been to a lotta shows, and nothing even sort of prepared me for what happened tonight in that stadium. I can’t wait to see what kind of set list someone will mold to explain what happened to us all, band included. They are magicians of the highest order working together to provide us with something rare, intimate and precious. .
		I’ve been to a lotta shows, and nothing even sort of prepared me for what happened tonight in that stadium. I can’t wait to see what kind of set list someone will mold to explain what happened to us all, band included. They are magicians of the highest order working together to provide us with something rare, intimate and precious. .  I don't normally review shows that I didn't go to, but I felt compelled to do a brief write-up on this show. This is such a clean sounding show. There are some moments that hint toward a more jammy/scenic approach to the music, but nothing gets quite as deep as 4/14's Wave of Hope or Golden Age. Instead, what we get is a well-balanced and nuanced show that I'd argue contains no dull moments. The segues here are also executed in endearing fashion. I can't really pick a highlight because there are so many highlights interspersed in these 2 sets; Wolfman's>Izabella, Reba, CDT, Ruby Waves>Caspian>Piper, Tube, and Hood. And I'd also like to add that the individual members' playing is sounding very refreshed, refined, sharp, and crisp.
		I don't normally review shows that I didn't go to, but I felt compelled to do a brief write-up on this show. This is such a clean sounding show. There are some moments that hint toward a more jammy/scenic approach to the music, but nothing gets quite as deep as 4/14's Wave of Hope or Golden Age. Instead, what we get is a well-balanced and nuanced show that I'd argue contains no dull moments. The segues here are also executed in endearing fashion. I can't really pick a highlight because there are so many highlights interspersed in these 2 sets; Wolfman's>Izabella, Reba, CDT, Ruby Waves>Caspian>Piper, Tube, and Hood. And I'd also like to add that the individual members' playing is sounding very refreshed, refined, sharp, and crisp. Entertaining reviews to say the least.
		Entertaining reviews to say the least.    I was on the floor about 50 feet from the stage dead center both nights. Went in early and claimed the "sweet spot." The sound was perfect, the lights were...over the top but I'll hit that more in a bit. To say that anything from Saturday nights show was "standard," "sloppy" or "choppy?" is laughable. The 3 days of rehearsals at the Tacoma Dome prior to these shows assured they would sound NOTHING like typical tour opener shows, and that was 150% spot on. They sounded polished, confident and tight both nights. The Wave of Hope 2nd set opener from night one was a monster- 1st night of tour?? Ok. Golden Road was as drippy as they get. Fluff encore...money. Night 2 1st set is up there for best of year so far. Unmatched energy & song placement. The Seattle "Wolfabella" will stand strong against anything this spring. And no the transition into Izabella was not "a mess" but the complete opposite...it was seamless. The eruption from the crowd confirmed that. The Reba>CDT is why you travel to see this band. 2nd set I really liked. To say that this set was "choppy" just because they played Velvet Sea after a rippin Tube is also laughable. It reminded me of Gorge3 '18 when they did a crushing Crosseyed>Twist>Waves and then followed it up with "Miss you!" It was perfect. We needed a breather, and so did the band! I felt the same way last night. The Circus comes to town was beautiful as well and a nice breather from the 30+ minutes of craziness prior. Knowing they picked to play Velvet late in the 2nd set, you know there's something good coming to close- and boom...a gorgeous Hood!! I'll take a Velvet>Hood all day. I did Merriweather & Dicks last summer and there was some incredible playing during those shows, but this '23 version of this band so far has me hooked. We have great things to look forward to this year as phans. Now to the lights. I love the lights, but this new rig- though multi-everything...is overwhelming and at some times annoying in my opinion. The LED flashes were way too much- I had to look down every time. I know Kuroda goes big, but sometimes it takes away from the music. Maybe it was my location at the show on the floor? But that's my spot most of the time I see them, and I've never experienced lights like that before. There were moments I couldn't see the band because the lights were so thick in front. Don't get me wrong here, I was drawn in, mesmerized and blown the f away by what I saw from the new rig, I just which they could dial down the strobes & LED's a little. Anyway, my .02. I think Night2 was the better night if I had to pick- but not by much. Great venue, fun scene, and perma grins all around. A superb 1-2 punch in the gut to start tour. I'd rate this show a 4.1/5.
  I was on the floor about 50 feet from the stage dead center both nights. Went in early and claimed the "sweet spot." The sound was perfect, the lights were...over the top but I'll hit that more in a bit. To say that anything from Saturday nights show was "standard," "sloppy" or "choppy?" is laughable. The 3 days of rehearsals at the Tacoma Dome prior to these shows assured they would sound NOTHING like typical tour opener shows, and that was 150% spot on. They sounded polished, confident and tight both nights. The Wave of Hope 2nd set opener from night one was a monster- 1st night of tour?? Ok. Golden Road was as drippy as they get. Fluff encore...money. Night 2 1st set is up there for best of year so far. Unmatched energy & song placement. The Seattle "Wolfabella" will stand strong against anything this spring. And no the transition into Izabella was not "a mess" but the complete opposite...it was seamless. The eruption from the crowd confirmed that. The Reba>CDT is why you travel to see this band. 2nd set I really liked. To say that this set was "choppy" just because they played Velvet Sea after a rippin Tube is also laughable. It reminded me of Gorge3 '18 when they did a crushing Crosseyed>Twist>Waves and then followed it up with "Miss you!" It was perfect. We needed a breather, and so did the band! I felt the same way last night. The Circus comes to town was beautiful as well and a nice breather from the 30+ minutes of craziness prior. Knowing they picked to play Velvet late in the 2nd set, you know there's something good coming to close- and boom...a gorgeous Hood!! I'll take a Velvet>Hood all day. I did Merriweather & Dicks last summer and there was some incredible playing during those shows, but this '23 version of this band so far has me hooked. We have great things to look forward to this year as phans. Now to the lights. I love the lights, but this new rig- though multi-everything...is overwhelming and at some times annoying in my opinion. The LED flashes were way too much- I had to look down every time. I know Kuroda goes big, but sometimes it takes away from the music. Maybe it was my location at the show on the floor? But that's my spot most of the time I see them, and I've never experienced lights like that before. There were moments I couldn't see the band because the lights were so thick in front. Don't get me wrong here, I was drawn in, mesmerized and blown the f away by what I saw from the new rig, I just which they could dial down the strobes & LED's a little. Anyway, my .02. I think Night2 was the better night if I had to pick- but not by much. Great venue, fun scene, and perma grins all around. A superb 1-2 punch in the gut to start tour. I'd rate this show a 4.1/5.
	 This was my first show since Coventry, so it was a long journey to get here. In the time between 8/15/04 and 4/15/23 I became a parent of two, spiraled downward into drugs and alcohol, reached a painful bottom, got clean and sober, and slowly learned to live a good life. I was wary to go to a show after getting sober in 2014 because I strongly associated Phish with partying. The pandemic didn't help matters. When the Seattle shows were announced, a sober friend of mine and I decided to drive up from Portland and his teenage daughter tagged along.
		This was my first show since Coventry, so it was a long journey to get here. In the time between 8/15/04 and 4/15/23 I became a parent of two, spiraled downward into drugs and alcohol, reached a painful bottom, got clean and sober, and slowly learned to live a good life. I was wary to go to a show after getting sober in 2014 because I strongly associated Phish with partying. The pandemic didn't help matters. When the Seattle shows were announced, a sober friend of mine and I decided to drive up from Portland and his teenage daughter tagged along. 
 
	 A little less exciting than N1 on the whole, but there are some nice highlights for sure. Wolfman's jam is quite nice and the -> Izabella is a super smooth surprise. Reba sounds well-rehearsed (those in-ear monitors work great, it seems), and the jam is nice and spirited. A strong 4.0 version for sure. CDT closer is pretty cool too. Set II flows well, even if nothing gets too too deep. Piper stands out.
		A little less exciting than N1 on the whole, but there are some nice highlights for sure. Wolfman's jam is quite nice and the -> Izabella is a super smooth surprise. Reba sounds well-rehearsed (those in-ear monitors work great, it seems), and the jam is nice and spirited. A strong 4.0 version for sure. CDT closer is pretty cool too. Set II flows well, even if nothing gets too too deep. Piper stands out.
	 [sup]Well it was kind of a double black diamond landing into Rosario, just ahead of a full-on storm- putting the pontoons down on top of three foot whitecaps; and a bit of a gnarly turnaround too, with the rollers washing saltwater over our feet on the float. But Kenmore is badass, and we had brunch at the mansion as if nothing had happened. Only worth mentioning because it seemed such a natural, indigenous, rock and roll continuation of the second night in Seattle. Both were fast and intense forces of nature. Stopping to reflect was out of the question, and we got delivered through with certainty.
		[sup]Well it was kind of a double black diamond landing into Rosario, just ahead of a full-on storm- putting the pontoons down on top of three foot whitecaps; and a bit of a gnarly turnaround too, with the rollers washing saltwater over our feet on the float. But Kenmore is badass, and we had brunch at the mansion as if nothing had happened. Only worth mentioning because it seemed such a natural, indigenous, rock and roll continuation of the second night in Seattle. Both were fast and intense forces of nature. Stopping to reflect was out of the question, and we got delivered through with certainty. Wolfman->Izabella is really incredible stuff. Reba dips her toes into type 2 territory, hoping we can see a really lengthy and exploratory version this year! Chalkdust is a rager, and closes the set in style. Second set has some weird flow but over all its pretty good. RW and Piper are good versions and Tube really comes through here, covering so much ground in little time, definite MVP of the show for me. Hood has a little extra spice on it like we've come to expect just a tease of some minor jamming. Encore is kind of weak for my taste. Love train song, just not sure the encore is a strong location for it.
		Wolfman->Izabella is really incredible stuff. Reba dips her toes into type 2 territory, hoping we can see a really lengthy and exploratory version this year! Chalkdust is a rager, and closes the set in style. Second set has some weird flow but over all its pretty good. RW and Piper are good versions and Tube really comes through here, covering so much ground in little time, definite MVP of the show for me. Hood has a little extra spice on it like we've come to expect just a tease of some minor jamming. Encore is kind of weak for my taste. Love train song, just not sure the encore is a strong location for it.  The Moma Dance: Is it just me or did Fishman come in too early on his vocals? Other than that, solid – no complaints. Played close to the vest.
		The Moma Dance: Is it just me or did Fishman come in too early on his vocals? Other than that, solid – no complaints. Played close to the vest.Add a Review
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Review by SawItAgaaain
They drank deep and brought the rock for the rest of the night. Great goods from top to bottom. Even the shorter jams in second set went “there.”
Gonna be a tremendous tour if we’re only going up from here.