I mean, is this even fair? I was already enjoying myself immensely, then Billy Strings comes onstage to assist in dismantling the building for the next 70 minutes? What's that saying about never overlooking a perceived "lesser" tour stop? Yeah....whoops.

If you're the type who skips listening to a show if there are no songs exceeding 20 or 30-minutes, it's your loss. Other than the quiet Train Song, the band had its foot on the gas for pretty much the entire evening. Playing a stellar Hood right before bringing Billy onstage, some might've wondered if he'd keep the momentum going, and boy did he respond.

Well, the boys didn't bring any shows to the South this time around, so I brought myself to Grand Rapids, and I definitely picked a good one!

This show is outstanding from note 1 to the end.

While there is an obvious highlight from Moma->Carini that will undoubtedly be played repeatedly, the rest of the show is worthy of praise.

Set I includes several very well played rarities (Strawberry Letter 23, Peaches, Train Song), tight type I jamming (Sigma, Tube, Theme, Steam), and a couple of songs taken for a somewhat extended ride (Stash, Bathtub). Although none of the songs stray far out or really hit type II territory, the band is locked in and deliver a great set that is an excellent listen.

Set II delivers perfunctory (but still very well played) versions of Free and Sand before Ruby takes us on our first extended jam of the night. Not too long after it started it seemed Trey was about to ripcord but then finds some dissonant chords he likes and the band follows, bringing us all deep into some seriously great territory.

The Hood placement was surprising and welcomed. It's very well played with great energy at the end.

Most people I talked to outside of the venue prior to the show had heard the Billy rumors. His amp is already here. A friend knows his bus driver and confirmed the tour bus is in town. Etc. So it wasn't surprising to see the crew setup an amp and pedal board between Trey and Mike at setbreak. It wasn't surprising when Trey welcomed "a local musician" and Billy came out. And it wasn't surprising that they blew the roof off the house and the fans responded in kind. Billy fit in with the Phish catalogue like meatballs on spaghetti. And I like meatballs...

Listen to this whole show. Then listen again.

I'm glad I came up from Georgia for this one!

Walked away from this one a very happy customer. Van Andel was rockin' and steamy last night.

Absolutely fantastic first set with great flow, song placement, and really sharp playing throughout. "Sigma Oasis" had a nice little jam at the end, which felt appropriate given the quick segue from "Sigma" into "Simple" on Alpine N2. "Theme," "Stash," and "Gin" were all notable versions for me with relisten value. I was buzzing when we hit the concourse for set break.

While in the bathroom line, I found myself in an exchange of strangers that went something like this:
Stranger 1: "So you really think they'll bring Billy Strings out?"
Stranger 2: "Yes, I am dating someone in Billy's circle and I also have this photo of his pedalboard on stage somewhere."
My thought to myself: "That's cute, guys, maybe Billy Joel and Billy Idol will come out, too."
Well, what do I know?

There were some good danceable moments in "Free" and "Sand" to open the second set. Strong "Ruby Waves" and what I would call one of the best "Hoods" I've witnessed in years. Such patience! I had never listened to Billy Strings prior to his appearance on stage, and I can confirm, indeed, that he shreds (and jams!). I was skeptical because I go to see Phish because I like Phish, but it was a special treat and one I will remember fondly. There was some beautiful, melodic southern rock-esque interplay between Trey and Billy, with wonderful grooves courtesy of Mike and Fish. "Possum" blew the lid off of the place. My ears were growing a bit tired from the two-guitar onslaught, so the Phishgrass encore was very welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed. "Carini" was lumpy.

Excited to see what more they have in store for night 2. Happy Phish, y'all!

Heck yeah, the tour is heating up and perhaps climaxing? What a show in Michigan, 3rd show in a row by Phish deserving of 5 stars in my humble opinion.

Strawberry opener is very welcome and trey got right to business. Solid version. We mean business out the gate. Peaches being dusted off is always a good time. Solid tube and gin in the set as well. Very good phish here in Set 1

Set two starts off standard with free and ruby waves. both pretty standard with tight playing still. Hood was a delight, But the show turns to magic here when billy joins in, thought there was natural chemistry and the music was beautiful. he hung around and jammed and this show turned from 4 stars to 5. Just listen, its alot of notes but they are good notes. Best part of the tour was the sit in imo.

Must hears: Strawberry Letter 23, Sigma Oasis, Harry Hood, Everything after Harry Hood

from the very nice GQ article on Billy Strings:

"In early August, Strings found himself with a rare week off.

He was going to be in Western Michigan rather than at home in Nashville, so he could be closer to Ally’s family as they awaited their son’s birth. There were bassinets to build, cradles to construct. He remembered that Phish were coming to Van Andel Arena, a relatively small room in Grand Rapids, for two nights for the first time since 1998. He sent Anastasio a text: “You think you could float me a couple guest spots?”

Anastasio misread Strings’ request for the guest list as an ask to sit in. “Let’s dooo it!” Anastasio responded immediately, and then: “Talking to the guys right now! Excited!” When, a month later, I told Anastasio about his mistake, he laughed a long time. “He didn’t think he was going to play with us?” says Anastasio, pulling up his text thread with “Billy Strings Real.” “I thought he meant come in for a guest spot.”

The morning of that first show, Anastasio dispatched a list of 16 potential songs for the next two nights, so Strings worked doggedly to learn them all until the moment he walked onstage. By the time he began playing, his left hand was already aching from all that solo rehearsal. He knew he was joining one of the tightest jam bands in history, with 40 years of experience; with that old self-doubt creeping in, he didn’t want to flub it.

“I didn’t want to piss Phish fans off, you know? I didn’t want to go out there and play a big wrong chord, which I probably did several,” he says, chuckling. “But at least I practiced.”