10 Best Phish 3.0 era shows
This is the perfect list for those of you who just don't have enough room on those ipods for all the Phish they'd like. These 10 shows are the creme de la creme of 3.0 Phish. I have listened to it all several times and a few of these are debateable but most are spot on. They are ranked in order.
1. MemorialAuditorium Utica NY 10/20/10Set 1: My Soul, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Vultures, Wolfman's Brother ->; Cities; Guyute, David Bowie>,Wilson; McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters; Saw It Again->;Run
Like an Antelope
Set 2: Drowned ->; Sand >; Theme From the Bottom, Axilla > Birds of a Feather, Tela > Split Open and Melt ->;Have Mercy >; Piper ->; Split Open and Melt >; Slave to the Traffic Light
Encore: Good Times Bad Times
Known as the Guyutica show for the monster Guyute Bowie>;Wilson sequence. Without too much debate, this is the best Phish has performed thus far during the 3.0 era. A complete mind-fuck of a show that was littered with teases and free flowing improvisation. The setlist was perfect and included the rare and sublime tracks of Vultures and McGrupp both of which are best 3.0 versions of each song. Slave to close out set II is also the best version you will ever hear in the 3.0 era. This was put on Album and DVD for good reason. Not to be missed
2. US Bank Arena, Cinncinatti, Oh. 11/21/09
Set 1: Wilson>; NICU, Wolfman's Brother,Ocelot, Torn and Frayed, Strange Design, Ginseng Sullivan, Albuquerque, Split Open and Melt, Dirt, Limb By Limb, Run Like an Antelope
Set 2: Rock and Roll>; Ghost->; If I Could, Backwards Down the Number Line; Prince Caspian, Suzy Greenberg >; Also Sprach Zarathustra > The Squirming Coil
Encore:Sleeping Monkey, Axilla
They played two nights down in Cincy and grizzled phisheads will tell you. “Never miss a Cincy show” and this is why. While the setlist may not overwhelm, the band was on fire. The first set featured the rare and much treasured “Torn and Frayed” along with the best ever version of Split Open and Melt. Trey commented before the encore that the band could play there for a week, which is a testiment to how comfortable the band was at this venue. The previous night’s show is well worth a listen as well.
3. War Memorial One Center, Syracuse, NY. 11/22/09
Set 1: David Bowie, Julius, Sparkle, Kill Devil Falls, Lawn Boy, Heavy Things, Funky Bitch, Sample in a Jar, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Let Me Lie, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Stash
Set 2: Drowned; Twist > Piper>;Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Tube, Theme From the Bottom; Maze, The Horse >; Silent in the Morning>; Character Zero >; First Tube
Encore: Good Times Bad Times
If you understand anything about Phish (jam bands in general) you’ll find them not very much different than an elite sports teams. They play at a fairly high level each time out but they can go through spurts where they play like demi-gods. This night followed the monster in Cincy and wasn’t quite as good, but wasn’t far off either. Highlights abound throughout and the band was on fire. The second set was spectacular from start to finish and one would be hard-pressed to find flaw with this wonderful and under the radar show.
Like an Antelope
Set 2: Drowned ->; Sand >; Theme From the Bottom, Axilla > Birds of a Feather, Tela > Split Open and Melt ->;Have Mercy >; Piper ->; Split Open and Melt >; Slave to the Traffic Light
Encore: Good Times Bad Times
Known as the Guyutica show for the monster Guyute Bowie>;Wilson sequence. Without too much debate, this is the best Phish has performed thus far during the 3.0 era. A complete mind-fuck of a show that was littered with teases and free flowing improvisation. The setlist was perfect and included the rare and sublime tracks of Vultures and McGrupp both of which are best 3.0 versions of each song. Slave to close out set II is also the best version you will ever hear in the 3.0 era. This was put on Album and DVD for good reason. Not to be missed
2. US Bank Arena, Cinncinatti, Oh. 11/21/09
Set 1: Wilson>; NICU, Wolfman's Brother,Ocelot, Torn and Frayed, Strange Design, Ginseng Sullivan, Albuquerque, Split Open and Melt, Dirt, Limb By Limb, Run Like an Antelope
Set 2: Rock and Roll>; Ghost->; If I Could, Backwards Down the Number Line; Prince Caspian, Suzy Greenberg >; Also Sprach Zarathustra > The Squirming Coil
Encore:Sleeping Monkey, Axilla
They played two nights down in Cincy and grizzled phisheads will tell you. “Never miss a Cincy show” and this is why. While the setlist may not overwhelm, the band was on fire. The first set featured the rare and much treasured “Torn and Frayed” along with the best ever version of Split Open and Melt. Trey commented before the encore that the band could play there for a week, which is a testiment to how comfortable the band was at this venue. The previous night’s show is well worth a listen as well.
3. War Memorial One Center, Syracuse, NY. 11/22/09
Set 1: David Bowie, Julius, Sparkle, Kill Devil Falls, Lawn Boy, Heavy Things, Funky Bitch, Sample in a Jar, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Let Me Lie, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Stash
Set 2: Drowned; Twist > Piper>;Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Tube, Theme From the Bottom; Maze, The Horse >; Silent in the Morning>; Character Zero >; First Tube
Encore: Good Times Bad Times
If you understand anything about Phish (jam bands in general) you’ll find them not very much different than an elite sports teams. They play at a fairly high level each time out but they can go through spurts where they play like demi-gods. This night followed the monster in Cincy and wasn’t quite as good, but wasn’t far off either. Highlights abound throughout and the band was on fire. The second set was spectacular from start to finish and one would be hard-pressed to find flaw with this wonderful and under the radar show.
4. DTE Energy Theatre, Clarkston, Mi. 6/3/11
Set 1: Wolfman's Brother, Funky Bitch, Sample in a Jar, NICU, Mike's Song>; I Am Hydrogen >; Weekapaug Groove, Tela <; Chalk Dust Torture, The Wedge
Set 2: Down with Disease >; Fluffhead>; David Bowie, Waste>; Also Sprach Zarathustra>; Cavern
Encore: Good Times Bad Times
This was easily the best show of the 2011 summer tour, others were close, but none surpassed this gem. An underwhelming setlist is offset by otherworldly jamming. One listen to the jam during Funky Bitch and you'll know you're in for the shit. FB would set the tone for the night. The 1st set closer of The Wedge will seem kinda weird to phishheads because it’s generally not a closer song, but they nailed this version big time and you can understand why they had to break. Like I said, This show on paper won’t make you go wow, but the jamming was out of control, highlighted by an epic DWD intersperced with John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme was the height of sublimity for any fan of type 2 phish jamming.
5. Verizon Wireless Theatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, Ga. 7/3-4/10
Set 1: Character Zero, Destiny Unbound >;Rift, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Bathtub Gin, Mountains in the Mist,NICU>; Gumbo>; My Sweet One, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Strange Design, Sanity, Run Like an Antelope
Set 2: Rock and Roll >; Prince Caspian>; Tweezer ->; Slave to the Traffic Light, Bouncing Around the Room,Possum, Backwards Down the Number Line>; Harry Hood>; Loving Cup
Encore: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise
Set 1: Wolfman's Brother, Funky Bitch, Sample in a Jar, NICU, Mike's Song>; I Am Hydrogen >; Weekapaug Groove, Tela <; Chalk Dust Torture, The Wedge
Set 2: Down with Disease >; Fluffhead>; David Bowie, Waste>; Also Sprach Zarathustra>; Cavern
Encore: Good Times Bad Times
This was easily the best show of the 2011 summer tour, others were close, but none surpassed this gem. An underwhelming setlist is offset by otherworldly jamming. One listen to the jam during Funky Bitch and you'll know you're in for the shit. FB would set the tone for the night. The 1st set closer of The Wedge will seem kinda weird to phishheads because it’s generally not a closer song, but they nailed this version big time and you can understand why they had to break. Like I said, This show on paper won’t make you go wow, but the jamming was out of control, highlighted by an epic DWD intersperced with John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme was the height of sublimity for any fan of type 2 phish jamming.
5. Verizon Wireless Theatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, Ga. 7/3-4/10
Set 1: Character Zero, Destiny Unbound >;Rift, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Bathtub Gin, Mountains in the Mist,NICU>; Gumbo>; My Sweet One, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Strange Design, Sanity, Run Like an Antelope
Set 2: Rock and Roll >; Prince Caspian>; Tweezer ->; Slave to the Traffic Light, Bouncing Around the Room,Possum, Backwards Down the Number Line>; Harry Hood>; Loving Cup
Encore: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise
7/4/10
Set 1: The Star Spangled Banner, Punch You In the Eye>; Colonel Forbin's Ascent>; Fly Famous Mockingbird, Camel Walk, Ocelot, Heavy Things>; My Friend, My Friend >; Lawn Boy, David Bowie, Gotta Jibboo
Set 2: Down with Disease.; Piper >;Ghost>; Waste, Julius >; Mike's Song>; Tela, Harpua>; Killing in the Name>; Harpua>; Weekapaug Groove
Encore: First Tube
Ok so I cheated a bit on this one. I just couldn’t decide which of these two nights was better and they both may just deserve their own place on this list. One thing is for certain these were the two best shows on the 2010 summer tour.Hands down So much so that the following year’s shows were offered pay per view webcasts. Alas, the magic was not recaptured. Listen and be amazed
6. Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Me. 10/19/10
Set 1: Chalk Dust Torture, Back on the Train, Torn and Frayed, Bathtub Gin, Gumbo, Divided Sky, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Nellie Kane>; 46 Days> ; Possum
Set 2: Fuck Your Face>; Mike's Song>;Fuck Your Face>; Light >; Twenty Years Later >; Fast Enough for You, Weekapaug Groove, Halley's Comet>; Free>; Harry Hood>; Golgi Apparatus, A Day in the Life
Encore: Reba, Backwards Down the Number Line
6. Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Me. 10/19/10
Set 1: Chalk Dust Torture, Back on the Train, Torn and Frayed, Bathtub Gin, Gumbo, Divided Sky, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Nellie Kane>; 46 Days> ; Possum
Set 2: Fuck Your Face>; Mike's Song>;Fuck Your Face>; Light >; Twenty Years Later >; Fast Enough for You, Weekapaug Groove, Halley's Comet>; Free>; Harry Hood>; Golgi Apparatus, A Day in the Life
Encore: Reba, Backwards Down the Number Line
Remember what I said about the great shows coming in bunches? This was the precursor to Utica and an absolute gem. Show was in a tiny gym and the energy was pulsing from the opening chords of Chalkdust. The second set opener was more like FYF>;MS>;FYF>;MS>;FYF and the band was loose and exploratory all evening and every thing has a little something extra and the following night they would boil over. Reba encore was very unusual and this version was amazing and among the best of the 3.0 era
7. American Airlines Arena, Miami, Fl. 12/30/09
Set 1: Soul Shakedown Party, Runaway Jim, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Dixie Cannonball, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Corinna, What's the Use?, Tela, Gone, Rocky Top, Chalk Dust Torture, David Bowie
Set 2: Sand, The Curtain With > Lifeboy, Back on the Train > Wading in the Velvet Sea, Hold Your Head Up>; Love You>; Hold your Head Up, Free, Boogie On Reggae Woman>; Run Like an Antelope.
7. American Airlines Arena, Miami, Fl. 12/30/09
Set 1: Soul Shakedown Party, Runaway Jim, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Dixie Cannonball, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Corinna, What's the Use?, Tela, Gone, Rocky Top, Chalk Dust Torture, David Bowie
Set 2: Sand, The Curtain With > Lifeboy, Back on the Train > Wading in the Velvet Sea, Hold Your Head Up>; Love You>; Hold your Head Up, Free, Boogie On Reggae Woman>; Run Like an Antelope.
Encore: Frankenstein
This is an infamous show known for the tremendous Boogie>Antelope closer which is Phish at their best. The Curtain With opener doesn’t hurt either, but the entire show is fairly noteworthy as the band was feeling really very good about closing up their first year back together. It didn’t hurt that 2009 turned out to be one of their finest.
8. Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH. 10/26/10
Set 1: After Midnight, The Sloth, Alumni Blues>; Letter to Jimmy Page>; Alumni Blues, Mellow Mood, Access Me, Llama, All of These Dreams, The Curtain With > Scent of a Mule, A Song I
Heard the Ocean Sing, It's Ice>; Walls of the Cave
Set 2: Possum>; Light>; Mike's Song>;; Simple>; Makisupa Policeman>;; Night Nurse->;; Makisupa Policeman>; The Wedge, Ghost >;; The Mango Song>; Weekapaug Groove >; LlamaReprise
Encore: Show of Life
8. Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH. 10/26/10
Set 1: After Midnight, The Sloth, Alumni Blues>; Letter to Jimmy Page>; Alumni Blues, Mellow Mood, Access Me, Llama, All of These Dreams, The Curtain With > Scent of a Mule, A Song I
Heard the Ocean Sing, It's Ice>; Walls of the Cave
Set 2: Possum>; Light>; Mike's Song>;; Simple>; Makisupa Policeman>;; Night Nurse->;; Makisupa Policeman>; The Wedge, Ghost >;; The Mango Song>; Weekapaug Groove >; LlamaReprise
Encore: Show of Life
Just look at that setlist and then know that they played like gods this night.
9. UIC Pavillion, Chicago, Il. 8/17/11
Set 1: Colonel Forbin's Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird, Gumbo > Possum, Weigh > Divided Sky, Alaska, Bathtub Gin, Maze, Cavern > First Tube
Set 2: Crosseyed and Painless -> No Quarter > Timber (Jerry) > Tweezer > Prince Caspian[1] > Piper > Ghost -> Makisupa Policeman[2] > Sleep > Buffalo Bill, Golgi Apparatus > Character Zero[3] > Run Like an Antelope[4]
Encore: Funky Bitch, Show of Life > Tweezer Reprise.
Another Phish Sunday special. Just look at the set-list and any Phish-head is going to want to hear this one. This show contains the rare Forbins>Mockingbird and a No Quarter. Just a ridiculous, ridiculous show
Set 1: Colonel Forbin's Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird, Gumbo > Possum, Weigh > Divided Sky, Alaska, Bathtub Gin, Maze, Cavern > First Tube
Set 2: Crosseyed and Painless -> No Quarter > Timber (Jerry) > Tweezer > Prince Caspian[1] > Piper > Ghost -> Makisupa Policeman[2] > Sleep > Buffalo Bill, Golgi Apparatus > Character Zero[3] > Run Like an Antelope[4]
Encore: Funky Bitch, Show of Life > Tweezer Reprise.
Another Phish Sunday special. Just look at the set-list and any Phish-head is going to want to hear this one. This show contains the rare Forbins>Mockingbird and a No Quarter. Just a ridiculous, ridiculous show
10. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, Ca. 08/19/12
This show was a game saver for this three day SF run and easily needs to be included in this list. This second set featured Phish at it's finest. Trey's explosion during light just has to be heard. The best show of 2012(period).
Set 1: Crowd Control, Party Time, Axilla, Reba, Free > Mound > Walk Away, NICU > Back on the Train, Gotta Jibboo > Roggae, David Bowie
Set 2: Crosseyed and Painless > Light -> Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley -> Crosseyed and Painless > Theme From the Bottom > Rocky Top, Boogie On Reggae Woman > Meatstick[1], Bug, You Enjoy MyselfEncore: Ride Captain Ride > Tweezer Reprise
Gotta disagree with your comments about MSG. I think the last run had a solid show in 12/28, but it still is nowhere near top 10 for 3.0 IMO. And the rest of the 11 NYE run was lackluster and at times even painful. NYE run 2010 was better, and maybe I'd put 01/01/11 in this list..but that's it. I'm also inclined to switch out 12/29/09 Miami for 12/30..but they were both great so I can see either one making the list. Nice stuff.
ReplyDeleteYeah I considered 12/30....As far as MSG goes, I should have thought a bit more about the 11 run. When I thinkn about it, they actually weren't that good
Delete7-3-11
ReplyDelete9-4-11
8-7-09
10-30-10
I should have used either 7.3.11 or 9.4.11 instead of my cop out msg pick...I may just change it. Thnaks for pointing these out. It was hard to create this list from memory. I knew I would forget a show or two. the 10.30.10 and the 10.30.11 ATL I didn;t consider because I'm just not a huge stones or little feat fan
DeleteHow could you leave out Charlotte 6/17/11?
ReplyDeleteThis list should be predominately shows from 2011 in my opinion... Why so many from '09?
ReplyDeleteIn my mind there are only two spots even in debate and that is fenway and my lame-ass MSG selection, but this is the type of thing I need to help me refine this, changes will come. With collective input. IMO 09 was a far stronger year than last
DeleteWhy were 09 and 10 better than 11? It's easy fall tour on the east coast...Phish forgot last year. The two best tours so far are fall 09 and fall 10, indoor, smaller places, more energy and east coast. One thing I noticed was not one west coast show was even close to making this list. It's east and south for the best they have to offer
DeleteThanks for reminding me of 10/19/10. Somehow that one slipped under the radar for me and I never gave it much attention. Just listened to it and had a very enjoyable experience. Fantastic 3.0 show. It was also interesting to hear the seed of the idea for taking a song's theme through a set. They touched on it here with FYF through Mike's Song, but they never really ran with it the way they did Guyute the next night. Still, you could hear they had the idea of doing such a thing germinating in their brains. Maybe it's because this show is fresh and new and I've listened to Guyutica so much, but I might prefer this show as a whole. Excellent. Viva La Phish!
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