i was listening to 12/31/98 today and i just absolutely love the 1999 opener. i was wondering what other people’s thoughts about what their favorite show openers are? i was thinking about the more unique ones. i personally love the curtain as a show opener, and the few times they played emotional rescue.
Unique ones… Well the one off ACDC>PsychoKiller>JJLC is super nice.
I was listening to that 1999 yesterday in my car… Had to turn it off though, did not sound good at all, and it was the most recent source off of etree 
PYITE has always been my favorite Phish song opener.
Soul Shakedown Party on 2/17/97 is damn funky too.
Just listening to 8/13/96 right now…the first livephish I ever bought…and this Divided Sky opener is hardcore…An AMAZING start to this wild show…
I love that 1999 opener, they jam it out good…not as good as Prince…maybe as good as Prince on an off night…but I love it, and they keep teasing it throughout the set…very memorable…
The Icculus opener from 10/31/95 always sticks out in my mind…really just look at all the festivals and big shows, they usually have some amazing openers…“Light Up or Leave Me Alone” from Cypress, “Daniel Saw the Stone” from IT 2nd Day…“Emotional Rescue” from 12/31/97…
Some other unique ones would have to include: “Runaway Jim” 11/29/97 at an hour long, “Hood” opener from 12/11/99, also “Emotional Rescue” from 11/21/97 (that is teh funk),
“Sanity” & “Highway to Hell” Halloween '96, how about “Kung” from 6/26/94 to kick off the gamehenge…those are some greats.
Just thought of another. The Walfredo from the Vegas DVD.
I love how they come out with their own instruments, and then just switch real fast before a note is played. Plus you have to love Fishman controlling the bass! He looks histerical up there… Could you imagine if it was always like that? Fishman definitely needs to get behind that kit!
I would argue that the oh kee pa->YEM from the island tour is one of the strongest show openings of all time!
the 11/22/97 opening Mikes->H2->Week->Hood is pretty solid as well.
My favorite set opener: 2001!
best openers of shows I saw: both deer creek shows last summer, llama and loving cup
bowie, piper in miami on first two nights
divided sky, bag at great woods
i saw Soul Shawdown Party at the Vegas '04 shows. That was great.
If it is a persons first show I would have to say that chalkdust is really hard to beat for an opener. That was my first live Phish song and I was compleatly overwhelmed. It prolly took that role a little to much, but wow it is a great opener.
one of my favorite openers is Julius…love the opening riff
others are Llama, Wilson, Chalk Dust, Tweezer
TWEEZEEEERRRR!
Sneakin’ Sally (12/30/97 as a long overdue bustout!)
Reba (6/19/04)
Tube (4/2/98…this set don’t get no love)
Icculus (Halloween 95!!! THE BOOK IS GETTING ITS ASS KICKED!!! ARRGHHHH!)
Sanity (Halloween 96!!)
I agree…the set gets knocked because the first four songs have pretty major flubs in them…but I really enjoy the song selection, the weird chalkdust closer, and of course the stash
ive always liked mikes as an opener…and tweezer as well…tube is hott too…
i love em all though…unless they opened with waste…then i’d prolly crap in my hand and fling it about…thats right…i said it.
Nothing better than Axilla to get a show started off right.
divided sky 8/13/96
icculus 10/31/95
wilson 6/18/94
PYITE
Julius
2001
are my favorite openers
But my Fav. single show opener is MAZE 11-19-92 St. Mikes College
Mike’s Song…Mike’s Song…Mike’s Song…did I mention Mike’s Song??? Hood is a damn fine way to start a show as well.
i really love all the island tour openers…all were amazing ways to start a show…tube…mike’s…tweezer…oh kee pa>yem. prolly my favorite live phish (of the volume releases) is volume 17. that wolfman’s brother is great. on the release the bass is just real loud and it really kicks. i just love listening to it. great selections all around. you really cant go wrong
^ that is the best live phish release IMO
^i’m glad someone feels how i do
i just really enjoy that release. just great rockin versions of songs. the limb by limb>simple>tweezer>california love>tweezer>free is just a great, rocking and relaxing piece of music. i first listened to it on a hot summer day, and i always think of a hot summer day anytime i listen to it. plus, the harry hood and bathtub gin filller is amazing. great fuckin release
Someone hasn’t heard 12/31/95 yet…
I don’t think it is an argument, there is nothing better than that.
But if you have heard it, and still feel that way, maybe I am wrong.