04-05-98 Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI

Phish Live Shows
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#1

04-05-98 Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI

1: Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > You Enjoy Myself, Theme from the Bottom, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Bathtub Gin > Cities, Sparkle, Split Open and Melt

2: Down with Disease -> Ya Mar -> Prince Caspian, Maze -> Shafty* -> Possum^ -> Cavern^^

E: Bold as Love#

Aftershow PA music: Theme from The Godfather. Basically none of the songs in the second set were finished, all jammed out into some other song. *First time played; shares most lyrics with “Oblivious Fool.” ^With funked-out jam during which Trey said “This is for all those that came down wanting to dance” and “we’re gonna funk it out”. ^^Funky version; with Trey strutting around on stage during the heavy funk; includes older lyrics (“turned the blade back on the bitch, and dropped her in the dung”). #Apparently, they were under a lot of pressure to finish up the deadline/curfew, and even considered not playing an encore at all.

#2

This is definitely in my top three favorite Phish shows. The first set is beautiful (favorite McGrupp, amazing Gin > Cities, killer SOAM), but the second set is Trey at his best. The Ya Mar was HUGE, Caspian was beautiful, Maze was on fire, Shafty did its job, Possum was on fire, and Cavern… well, you have a dark, twelve-minute Cavern. What more could you want? (Well, maybe a bigger encore…)

#3

I wonder why I have not posted for this show yet???

This is my favorite show. EVER.

The Cities is a thing of beauty and SOAM is on fire. The second set has to be one of those perfect sets. After the second set that night, as we waited for the encore, I knew I had witnessed absolute perfection. This is, without a single doubt, the BEST. CAVERN. EVER. When Trey and Mike started weaving in and out that funky rhythm it was just . . .yeah. Possum was the perfect vehicle. It just started picking up steam and no one really cared if it ever stopped. That was the first time I ever really just danced hard at a show . . .

It was pure magic . . .I listened to this show the other day in my car. I had put in on hiatus for awhile. It’s totally making a come back!

#4

4-5-98 #1?

Whenever someone makes hyperbolic statements with Phish regarding “best shows” or “best versions” or “best sets” I always take a step back and digest their thought process.

1998 Phish, Island Tour, funk rock, me gots no problems with this!

#5

Bathtub Gin > Cities is probably my favorite part of this show.

I like the Cavern a lot because it is so different… but I would not want it performed this way every time, or even ever again.

#6

The YEM from this show is no slouch either.

Don’t sell yourself short, you’re a tremendous slouch!

#7

I know it’s a broad statement . . .However, I will stand by it. I have gotten to see some pretty epic shows. I was at the previous night in Providence too. Everyone talks about the EPIC Tweezer from 4/4, and I believe 4/4 made it to LivePhish as well. But like Will said, this Gin>Cities and Possum>Cavern are just the two most heaving hitting vehicles of 1998, and definitely that I have ever seen. Also, I think the fact that most of the songs in the second set were unfinished was not purposeful . . .The band was in one of their perfect zones, where they allowed their fingers to do the work. The energy was unsurmountable, and 4/4 did not have the playfulness and ambiguity that 4/5 did, IMO.

#8

In the spirit of the “Phish moments” thread or whatever it’s called, Mike plays a ringing note during Cities that is just absolutely fuckin’ sick…

#9

While I don’t share the overall enthusiasm (this show isn’t in the top half of my favorite Island Tour shows), this show is sick. Especially the last 3 songs of the second set.

#10

This show is really amazing but im going to have to go with 4/3 of my favorite from the Island Tour. An amazing setlist with very connected jamming. And MAN! is that Possum -> Cavern funky or what?!

#11

I love this Cavern… so FUNKY!
Cities is a good one also.

#12

Listened to this show tonight…love the cavern!

i am partial to night 3 of this run tho…that second set is just unbelievable. love the birds > 2001. juicy tweezer opener too.

#13

On a scale of 5 to 10, i give this show an 11.

Maybe my favorite experience of all.

The whole run = my favorite 4 days of shows ever. SPRING BREAK TOUR w0000000000000000t!!!

#14

^^^ don’t listen to this crack-head…he spent the whole week dancing with his fingers in his ears and smoking rock with the monkey-boy!!!

#15

^HAHAHHAHA! how did I not see that before. Monkey boy :laughing:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=r0kAyCprnR4[/youtube]

Not much needs to be said about this show.

It is tied with 3 other Phish experiences as my favorite ever (12/6, The Went and Cypress being the others)

Wowza

#16

I remember leaving this show thinking that I had just witnessed something really special… I still feel that way, and as I approach my 80th show, this night in Providence is still my favorite. What a tremendous opening set, with superb versions of YEM, Theme, Mcgrupp, Bathtub>Cities, and SOAM. The second set is probably even better, and the Yamar from this night is one of my favorite Phish moments ever. What a great fucking night!

#17

Finally buying these shows! I’ve always wanted the Island Tour official releases but it always felt like too much of a splurge. Just grabbed both Providence shows for like $30 used. Hoping they’re in good shape. That shit’s important.