Ether Edge
| Originally Performed By | Trey Anastasio |
| Original Album | Evolve (2024) |
| Appears On |
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| Music/Lyrics | Trey Anastasio |
| Vocals | Trey (lead), Mike, Page (backing) |
| Historian | Ian Zigel (Ripenesswasall) |
| Last Update | 2025-07-14 |
History
In the post-Newton, pre-Einstein world of physics, 19th century scientists believed light was emitted in wave-shaped particles from an invisible medium called the ether. It engulfed the whole universe, but was transparent, weightless and frictionless. Also known as the fifth element, or quintessence, proving the ether’s existence was an alluring and fruitless pursuit for many great minds of the time.
Widespread acceptance of an eccentric young patent clerk named Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity eclipsed the ether's role in our understanding of how the universe operates; but, the mythos of an illusive, all encompassing, non-interventionary cosmic blanket permeating the whole observable universe, is evocative of the oneness, energy source, IT, “god,” flowing universe sometimes alluded to in the spiritual corners of Phish’s lyrical canon. Alas, “Ether Edge,” is the second Anastasio lyric that evokes the mystical veneer in its title, and Mike Gordon has an original called “Ether” on his album overstep.
In June of 2023, over a three night run at Denver’s Mission Ballroom, The Trey Anastasio Trio - a brand new lineup rounded out by TAB’s new jazz virtuoso bassist Dezron Douglas and vaccumist/drummer Jon Fishman - debuted a bevy of Anastasio originals. Fans in attendance on 6/9/23 heard the stripped back live debut of “Ether Edge.” With pretty harmonies and vibes somewhat reminiscent of indie/singer songwriter acts like Fleet Foxes, and a chorus that feels like a followup to that of “Franklin’s Tower,” it still had a whimsical, Phishy touch. Fans online have also pointed out possible melodic inspiration in a christian rock song, but be warned dear reader, once you hear it you cannot unhear it.
Phish often celebrated 2023, their 40th year, by looking forward. The Summer tour saw the band frequently debuting and workshopping new songs, most of which were played with the Trey Trio that June. “Ether Edge” made its Phish Debut on the second night of the Summer 2023 tour at Huntsville’s Orion Amphitheatre, and reemerged on the other side of the tour at Dick’s, not too far from the Mission Ballroom.
“Ether Edge” made two more appearances in 2023, once in Nashville on Phish’s 8-date fall tour, and again on New Years Eve at Madison Square Garden. Lyrics about flying beyond the ether edge to the other side foreshadowed that later that evening Phish would conclude their 40th year by passing through the corridor and performing the first full Gamehendge suite since 1994.
Between the 2023 fall tour and new years run, Phish returned to the barn to record their 16th studio album, Evolve. “Ether Edge” was one of six songs initially debuted at the Trey Trio Denver run that made the cut.
Early in 2024, four-night stands in Mexico and Las Vegas were heavy on songs from the new album and both runs contained renditions of Ether Edge on their respective night 4. Two back-to-back evenings featuring jams stretching past the 30-minute mark at the usually tame Riviera Maya run were a harbinger for a year of inspired, experimental, improvisation-rich shows full of mega jams. Phish became the second band to ever perform at MSG entertainment’s spectacular new immersive venue Sphere. Each night’s song selection and visual elements corresponded with a different state of matter, and “Ether Edge” was a fitting choice for the plasma-themed Sunday finale.
“Ether Edge” was absent for the first eight shows of the summer 2024 tour. And then, on a Tuesday in Saint Louis, after unleashing a massive 40 minute “Tweezer” (just 2 shows after playing a 40+ minute version of “Simple” at Alpine Valley, mind you), “Ether Edge” emerged from a raucous standing ovation. And for the first time, Phish didn’t mind taking “Ether Edge” to the other side, letting the first chorus unfold into a galloping jam that morphed into something else entirely. A new jam vehicle was minted, with a stellar and exploratory 12+ minute rendition that segued into an equally playful and compelling “Piper.”
Subsequent “Ether Edge” appearances on that tour left the first chorus open-ended for inspiration to take hold. The 8/7/24 version never really “took off” into type 2 territory, but returning to its home state of Colorado, “Ether Edge” achieved liftoff again at Dick’s on 8/29/24, with a rousing conclusion to another stellar performance. During the 2025 Spring Tour, the song was pushed even further, an 18 minute Type II excursion that first traversed through an upbeat, melodic section before settling into a space that led to a potent climax, the potential for “Ether Edge” was now fully manifest.
There’s no telling what the future holds for “Ether Edge” - will it remain a fixture in the live rotation? Will it stretch the 20 minute mark? Will a disgruntled Christian rock songwriter show up demanding royalties? Whatever happens now, I don’t mind.
Last significant update: 7/14/25
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