Let’s not count IT because that was an obvious moment in Phish history…but what’s your single favorite post hiatus show.
I’ve been getting into some of the post 2000 shows lately and I wondered what this boards general opinion is…
^
That I’ve personally been to: 6.24.04 Deer Creek
That I’ve seen the setlists and said wow: 7.15.03 USANA Amphitheatre (set II looks good on paper, was it?) 7.22.03 Deer Creek looks like a close second
I’ve only heard 2/28/03 and IT, so I guess I have to say 2/28/03.
2/22/03 Cinci, and basically the entire three night Deer Creek run in 03 are my favorites. Second night Deer Creek was definitely strong, with a crazy Split Open and Melt to open the second.
Oh ya, and 7/29/03 in Pennsylvania was really good, with the “break-out” first set.
Oddly enough, the only 2 shows I attended in '03 were 7.23 and 7.29…! I wish I had actually seen the first night Deer Creek!
I only missed 12 shows from post hiatus and have heard them all on disk. Honestly the best show is from Utah. The best improv jamming and weaving in and out of tunes for sure. You honestly have to hear it to understand. I think it also has to do with the fact i expected it. After the 2 previous Utah shows i saw(96&98) i really walked in there expecting to see some New Years or some Festival madness and i saw it again(literally,they played it that night ;)). Everyone afterward was just saying to each other “That’s why we come to Utah!”. Honestly it is a beautiful place but why the hell would anyone want to go there? Phish made that state real special for me!
Sidenote to Vern. I did not go but the word from my peeps was IT sucked!
I haven’t listened to much post-hiatus…but I would not count IT as my favorite by any means. I think there is too much meadering jamming, even if Trey is really on.
I just listened to 7/10/03 Shoreline last night, and I thought it kicked some serious ass. The Antelope is smoking…it gets kind of boring mid-way through the second set, but it ends on a very strong note…2001 > DWD ENCORE Rift, Character Zero…I liked the slower stuff too, however, I think it was poorly placed.
I haven’t listened to much post-hiatus stuff, either. I would love to hear that Utah show, Bob.
I’m looking to download it…
I remember thinking IT was subpar. Nothing notable happened (Harpua, Destiny Unbound, guests). I guess you could say Brother or Dog Log, but neither of those are unbelievable. Combine that with the third set Spread It Round and Secret Smile. But Ghost was smoking YEM was smokin DWD was good. My opinion of the whole show definitely went up after listening to it a few times. I would say that compared to the other festivals it might not have been as good, but still a good showw nonetheless.
I loved 6/19/04 - Which I believe I sent to Vernixx…
The second set opener ASIHTOS, the massive Piper jam and really great versions of Limb by Limb and Scents (they both have jams that really hit a definitive peak). Great show.
Yeah…you sent it to me, Tony. I’ve been listening to that show constantly since you sent it to me…on my computer…in my office…in my car. AWESOME SHOW!!! Thank you Brother…
I neeed more SPAC shows, now. And more Spectrum shows!!!
Don’t you just love the Limb by Limb? I’ve seen that song about 10 times and none of the other ones can even come close to touching it.
Yeah.definately a smokin’ show. I’m listening to it now at the office while I do paperwork.
Pure excellence…
I written on this board about 6/19/04 before. But I’ll say it again. It made me mad to see them finally get their shit together after seeing mostly unimpressive shows post-hiatus, only to know they were going to hang it up. The thing is, that show doesn’t have YEM or Hood or some other big song like Tweezer. They just play the hell out of everything.
I guess what I mean is that they are/were fully capable of keeping things fresh at that point.
By the way, the Albany 93 show was great. I loved ow th first set ended…
Though I’m sure I’m biased because it was my first show, 7/12/03 was unreal. The Taste opener was epic, one of the best Stashes that I’ve ever heard, Army of One debut, crazy Maze, JJLC tease at the beginning of Dogs Stole that was fulfilled the next night, SICK Ghost, and a rockin Bowie.
Man that 6/19/04 SPAC show is the fucking shit!!! I love every minute of it.
I wish all the last tour shows were this good. Thank you again, Tony!!!
^ Looks like a tight run at SPAC!
I caught 20 shows in 2003, 7 in 2004. I’d have to say 2.26.2003 Worcester was one of the best of post hiatus
Hampton 2003 shows were cool for what they were, but nothing stands out.
Cinci 2003 was special for me since my bday was first night. That second set was great. Solid Tube and Bathtub following night too.
Worcester 2003 was the night they “were back” to me. yem -> clone, wow! awesome moma, stash and ghost jams into different songs til a solid ya mar. waves -> caspian (i think) was cool for their lyrics and relation
Phoenix 2003 - average tour opener, glad to hear TMWSIY
Chula Vista 2003 - hood->carini, decent show
Mtn. View 2003 - awesome 2 night stand, made the west coast trip worth it until…
Gorge 2003 - first set first night was so weak, but the scenary made it all better. solid second night and a JJLC out of wolfmans, followed by a stellar 7below
IT - average for a festival, tower jam rocks, solid ghost, boring 46 days
Nassau 2003 - bad opener, pretty good 20th year anniversay show to follow
Philly 2003 - nice makisupa buffalo bill, twist -> simple was great. glad i drove back to ny during the predictable character0
Albany 2003 - best of the 4 show run
Miami 2003 - each night got better and better. second set 29th was best and most energetic of the run (year?) 30th was pure madness, 31st tore the roof off
Coney Island 2004 - fun show, not a bad seat in the house…especially when people are throwing tickets over the edge. jigga what
SPAC 2004 - triumphant return to Saratoga, blew me away. balcony view for both nights. amazing jams already noted in previous posts. yeah gumbo!
Great Woods 2004 - last 2 night stand ever, awesome shows. lots of crowd interaction. dog faced boy still makes me feel sad when i listen to it. at that moment it hit me that they were breaking up
Coventry 2004 - it was what it was. no amazing bust outs, no need to. had been waiting for another Split since hampton 2003, didnt let me down! also been waiting for a slave, solid closer.
Post hiatus was great. I had a lot of fun traveling to all these shows (from ny) and was glad to make friends along the way. All i can say is that they didnt not resemble the energy or flow from pre hiatus. That isnt me complaining though, it was just different. Those who were at both know. Sorry for the long post, I’m bored at work.
7.15.03…hands down…
the mr completely jam is the sickest…with a mini ha ha ha…so so dope…
I have to say I really enjoy listening to 7/22/03 from Deer Creek… some serious stuff in there. And 6/26/04 was so darn amazing for me at Alpine Valley… I love Mike. Matter of fact, I love em’ all!!! Mind Blowing Shit!