Phish at Dick’s Sporting Good Field
by Corey Blecha
When Phish comes to Denver, a place where they have gained one of their most rabid followings, there is always plenty of musical exploration and territory to cover, and with a three-night run at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, it was fitting that the Denver shows marked the final dates on Phish’s epic summer tour. Three nights of nearly four hours of music each night allowed the band to dig deep into their catalog, resulting in some truly amazing jams that were definitely some of the best I’ve ever heard.
Friday night got started with an energetic First Tube, which got the anxious crowd ready for the shenanigans to come. Spelling out “F**K YOUR FACE” with the first letter of each successive song, something only Phish would even think of doing, the band ran through classics like “Carini” and “Runaway Jim,” and they also surprised everyone with “Emotional Rescue,” a song they hadn’t played since 2000. After spelling it out, Phish ended with, appropriately, “F**k Your Face,” before encoring with “Grind” and “Meatstick,” complete with Japanese lyrics. Friday night was the perfect way to start an amazing Labor Day weekend with Phish, filled with excellent performances of some of the group’s most famed songs.
Saturday was going to have to deliver on all ends to top Friday, and after taking a party bus up to the venue with some friends and strangers, I was excited to see what Phish would do to keep the jams coming. After the bus ride, and upon entering the arena, it really hit me how universally appealing Phish is; whether you are a 16 year-old stoner, a 30-year old business man, or a 60-year old hippie, the band has a song for you, and the vibe is always right. Spanning from bluegrass to funk, with some of the most genuine personalities behind the instruments, Phish creates a live-music experience that must be seen to believe.
After last year’s funky Saturday night, I expected more of the same this year, and that’s exactly what we got, with Mike Gordon taking the lead on numerous songs, and blasting the audience into the funkasphere that is known as a Gordo jam. Sometimes all you can do is keep your tongue tight and your chin up, because in the thick of one of his bass solos, there is no telling what could happen. 20,000 people spin and swirl and groove to the beat. In songs like “Weekapau Groove” and “Tweezer,” Gordon and the rest of the band hit their stride and gave us some of their most memorable performances of the weekend.
After two spectacular nights of music, the tired yet enthusiastic crowd made their way to Dick’s for the final night of the weekend and summer tour. With classics like “Down With Disease” and “Stash,” Phish hammered home what was one of their best weekends of music yet. Although the band has been around for decades, their youthful joy and enthusiasm continues to shine through at every show. There are good Phish shows, and there are great Phish shows, but their 2012 Dick’s Sporting Goods run will definitely qualify as one of their all-time best set of shows! After a long weekend, and an even longer tour, Trey Anastasio thanked the crowd for a great summer of memories and music, something none of us will forget anytime soon!
Category: National News, On The Scene
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