^No, I’m not saying it’s totally the fans’ fault. I’m saying it’s a circular weirdness. It definitely has something to do with the band as well-- they are having a hard time connecting, I think.
^^^I wholeheartedly agree with Dooj on the disconnect between band and crowd in 3.0. I also agree with Goochy about the raptness of the crowd at Blossom and DTE. It appears they blew up DTE for many reasons. Mike’s B-day, 1st Pine Knob gig, and maybe to make up a bit for an up and down Cobo show '09. Perhaps Blossom killed because they enjoyed playing the night before?, best Midwest acoustics for the size of venue always helps. They were still paying attention? It appears Phish can take over and compel everyone to focus on their playing at will on any given night (but they don’t always get there) . Back to Doojer’s thought . I think that this detachment and weirdness that the band is feeling from the crowd is what’s causing this perceived (apathy?) or repetitiveness in songs. I hadn’t thought about it before reading this. I also don’t think these kind of thoughts are productive or wanted. People either want to have some escapism or hear Phish songs. Nobody wants to hear about sucking. Too many things suck much more.
I also think Phish enjoys seeing familiar faces in the crowd and plays to people instead of groups. It’s that initial intimacy that forged a lot of strong bonds between individuals and the band. Also at times when we are being hosed by the band (the good one), there is such a group consciousness that everyone picks up on it and it feeds the experience.
Trey’s goofy grin is infectious every single time.
It is most definitely a circular weirdness and I’m picking up on it too.
Well, I’m probably biased because I’m still on cloud nine after the show tonight, but I didn’t detect that weirdness. The crowd seemed pretty locked in, lots of nice crowd swells. And the band seemed very much a cohesive unit. I dunno, maybe the crowds up there are different.
This seems like a good explanation. I mean, look at how many times Phish has played in the northeast since the last time they played in the south. If someone has to wait that long to get their Phish fix, they’re gonna be friggin’ glued to that stage the whole night is my guess.
I thought the crowds at Bethel, Detroit, and Blossom were fine and no different than normal. Cinci was kinda weird but what can you expect being that close to Ohio State?
(Blossom is closer to OSU than Cinci)
((or at least they are the same distance))
I was watching the webcast of the show last night, trying to understand peoples’ recent complaints about Phish’s current state of being/playing. Listening to Eric explain it, I started to undertstand people being frustrated with the abrupt jam cut-offs. But otherwise I don’t know what the f everyone’s complaining about.
Not enough song rotation? Didn’t they just bust out freaking, practically everything over the last two years?
They’re as tight as ever. I mean maybe they’re not as tight as their tightest ever shows, but shit if they didn’t nail Fluffhead last night.
Maze had me laughing out loud I was so completely tickled.
I think the jamming is really interesting and compelling, and there’s just enough of it for my tastes.
They seem to be really enjoying it all.
For my money there’s nothing to complain about. Even the brand newest song is bitchin.
This makes it fun for everyone.
Yea that Maze was the shiz!
I, too, enjoyed the Maze. I love couch tour in general. It’s just a whole lotta fun dancing around the living room and watching live Phish.
^ Yeah, couch tour is pretty hetty, but I think after tonight’s show I’m gonna take a break. I feel like I’ve just been over saturated with phish lately. Like it’s all I’ve been listening to for the past few months. I think I’m gonna try going the rest of the tour without listening to any of the shows until I get to Dicks. In fact I’m gonna try to avoid the setlists all together and try to go into it somewhat fresh.
We were talking in this thread about all the repeats and such, and I think that stuff only really starts to bother you when you listen to every show of the tour, and some songs that I truly love, are just starting to lose their impact because I’ve just heard them too much lately. Also I just don’t feel like I can hear the band progressing the way I would be able to if I wasn’t following this tour so closely.
So yeah, I’m jumping off couch tour after tonight, but I’m gonna make sure I go out with a bang. She’s gonna be a rough day at work tomorrow.
If they did official streams for every show I’d totally custie up for that shit. I loved watching it last night, but I have too much going on in my life to try to rearrange things to watch a bootleg UStream feed that is sketchy at best. It’s fun for a few min but they aren’t reliable and I just get frustrated more often than not. And it sure as shit wouldn’t deter me from seeing every show I can, there’s still NOTHING like being there in person.
I would definitely purchase a season pass if they offered official streams of the whole tour.
I would actually consider selling my Tahoe tix if they announced an official stream. That’s how frickin’ down I am with couch tour.
It is cheaper.
Knowing that there are thousands of people that have the same level of obsession about Phish as I do makes me feel a lot more mentally healthy.
I hope Phish blows its load on us tonight. 
^ I heard they specialize in ear urination… you know, if that’s your thing.