7/29/03 is underrated

Phish Live Shows
#1

Hard to believe this show would be deemed underrated, but everything I read on this board would suggest this. We all know about the bustouts and the high energy, but I’ll never forget this show. Maybe it was the fracktels, but I gotta say song after song my jaw dropped more and more.

I remember hitting the bathroom as I was leaving the venue and everyone was just in amazement at what they had just listened to and saw. In particular I remember one head commented that this was the second best show he ever saw out of 102 and that only 12/31/95 topped this. Yeah could’ve been the drugs talking, but this show rocks.

My only regret was briefly departing my seat when the Bowie started to close the second set. I love Bowie, but Bowie follows me everywhere. For some reason or another I saw Bowie at 13/35 shows, which is the song I heard the most. Looking back on it now what I would do to hear a Bowie.

#2

This was my last show…

And during it I had an absolute blast.

Listening back the past few times… it is rather lackluster.

#3

I listen to the first set a lot, and I wouldn’t come close to calling it lackluster. Its high energy, with great song selection imo. Probably my favorite Camel Walk ever.

Second set is a bit meh, especially after the first part of Harpua. But Crosseyed is pretty good as well as Brother.

The only reason this show became so easy to call “overrated” is because everyone freaked that they played Harpua. It became so overrated that it now makes sense to call it underrated for some people, haha.

all that being said, I like at least 6 or 7 shows from summer '03 more than 7.29.

#4

7/29/03 really polarized people. Like the gushing head described above, this show was immediately hyped, especially due to the bustouts, which contributed to instantaneous backlash.

Personally, none of that pertained to me, having seen only a handful of shows from '99-'03. I agree with phg - the first set is really good, as is Crosseyed & Painless. Like willbreathes, it was my last show, and having it as a CD release is pretty cool.

#5

i think it is an overrated show

the first four songs (daniel, camel, jibboo, CiD) are all great and the set falls apart after that. the opening of the 2nd set (xeyed -> jam) is $$$ as well. the rest of the show, not so much.

they played much better shows than that in the summer of 03. the third night of deer creek imo is the best show of the summer.

#6

I have no problem leaning towards calling it “overrated,” (although I wouldn’t come out and flat out say “THIS SHOW IS OVERRATED”) but I wouldn’t call it lackluster, either.

The ensuing jam out of “Crosseyed” is my favorite PH Phish jam, without question.

I was happy to hear my first “Farmhouse” at this show. Same with “Bowie,” “Jibboo,” and “Mule.” The show certainly gets a lot of its attention from the fact that the first nine songs in the first set were tour firsts. There is something to be said for that, I think, regardless of how well they’re played.

This is one of only 2 times I “road-tripped” (the other being 9/23/00) to a Phish show, so in that regard it is near and dear to my heart.

I think because of that nostalgic attachment, I tend to overvalue shows that others think are simply average or “lackluster.” Which I cannot help, but am also not ashamed to admit.

#7

Certainly not the best versions of Mule, Fee, Timber and McGrupp, but I hardly feel that the first set went downhill after Cool it Down. For as much as people probably dislike Thunderhead I kinda dig the segue from Crosseyed into Thunderhead…Thought it was appropriate. Plus everyone knew the Bittersweet Motel was coming sometime at this show.

While I certainly enjoyed the 3rd night of Deer Creek my favorite from that run was 1st night. No one seems to rank this show, but this is another show I feel is underrated.

Another sick show is 7/25/03. The first set didnt’ really do it for me, but that second set is monstrous. I would probably even go as far as say that this is the best set from Summer 03.

#8

I’m sure people will point out 7/15/03 Second Set as the best set from Summer 03, but I stand by 7/25/03 Set 2.

#9

I think there is an inherent difference between “best set” and “favorite set.”

I think more often than not I would give 2 different answers on any given tour or run.

My favorite set from Summer '03 is probably 8-2-03 III (yes, even with that damn “Spread it Round”). Best set? That’s another thing all together.

#10

I like the 3rd night better than the 1st. Apples & oranges.

And yeah, I thought they’d slip “BsM” into the first set somewhere as a warmup, but I like how they weaved it into “Harpua.”

#11

About two years after the Deer Creek '03 shows… I gave them another good listen… and the first night is slop-city IMO.

Something it took me 2 years or so to admit to myself.

Although that first set went on and on and on… When they busted out the Mike’s Groove I was thinking the set was already over.

Plus I was down about 5 rows back in the pavilion, and the closest I had ever been to the Phish… so that is another special night to me, just not the most solid in terms of playing.

#12

^the rapid start-stop jamming towards the end of that Weekapaug is seck

thats all I remember from the show…pretty sloppy and “songy,” agreed.

#13

I have to relisten to this show again…I remember 1st night Deer Creek being solid…I too was in the pavilion and possibly rate some shows on concert experience better…1st night I had pavilion seats and was ragin…After the show at the 2nd night I was exhausted mainly due to the previous nights festivities…I think I was alseep at the campground within 15 minutes after the 2nd night…3rd night I was back and at it, but while I thought the show was great it just didn’t do enough for me as 1st night did…

Call me crazy, but I actually like this 3 night stand better than the 2000 3 night stand.

#14

07-10-2000 is better than all of those 'o3 shows.
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#15

7-10-2000 is better than any of 7/21-7/23/2003?

Hmmm…

The first set from 7/10/00 is quite massive. Plus a nice groovy second set.

Wonder why they encored with a song they had ended the first set with the previous show?

#16

7/10 might be better, but as a whole I think the run from 03 is better than the run from 00…Just my opinion

#17

Now we’re getting into “ummm…” territory.

For me, anyway.

#18

7/12/00 Second Set was a huge letdown for me…Really left a bad taste in my mouth to end the run…Of course Columbus made up for this, but I was looking for something else from this set.

#19

Thought you might get a kick out of this Ghost…I’m sure you’ve already seen it, but nevertheless

#20

Other than being a tad on the short side, what didn’t you like about it?

None of the songs are all-time best versions or anything (or anywhere close, for that matter), but the set wasn’t that bad.

IMO it’s not even the weakest set of the run (see 7/12/00 I)