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Phish General
#1561

Methinks, and I could be wrong here dooj, that you should come to da East Coast. If you really are surrounded by douchebags at every show, either you have terrible luck, or it could be a function of geography. I have friends living in Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington, and I have heard a lot of stories, and I think I understand the personality type of a lot of phans out there. Of course, this is all second-hand, as I’ve never been out there, but the number of people I know and the number of stories I have heard comparing West Coast fans to East Coast fans (and a lot of the people telling the stories are originally from out there) indicate a very real difference.

To be totally honest, I think the Midwest actually has the best crowds. Deer Creek, specifically. Those Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, etc. guys get it for sure. A lot of them at least. My section at Deer Creek was totally quiet, so talkers. Now, MSG is the most energetic and responsive Phish crowd I’ve ever been in, but that was partly due to the fact that it was New Years. I can say fairly confidently that the Midwest, and especially Deer Creek, just might be Phish paradise. Hell, Mr. Phish himself, BigB, told me after the second DC show, “This is the best venue in the world.” The man is highly qualified; I believe him.

#1562

Levi, it’s that young and vibrant spirit like yours that the scene needs now more than ever. I’ve been seeing Phish since 1997. I’ve managed to fit 74 shows in 14 years, many of those were racked up during the Summer of 2000. Sure, I complain about Possum and Sparkle and all those other songs I just can’t stand to hear anymore (:wave:), but I will NEVER complain about seeing MY band. I got the privilege of seeing 12/30 with Edward and company, and after the show, I had tears welling up in my ducts. It was a GREAT show with some EPIC moments. No, it wasn’t Fall '97 or Island Tour, but to see that show with some “youngins” . . .to see a 20-year-old girl dance her ASS off to her FIRST Tweezer brought tears to my eyes . . .I even have a few now just thinking about it.

I’ve seen MANY Phish shows, but these past 2 years have been some of my happiest moments! The older I get the more privileged I am to get a chance to see LIVE the band that I love so very much, realizing every single day how blessed I am to have a past and a future with Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordan, Page McConnell, and Jon Fishman. But getting back to topic, Levi, go to shows. Go to as many as you possibly can afford. Dance your ass off! Who gives a FUCK if its '95 anymore??? Pump into that asshole that got too drunk before the show! Meet that Wook who tries to rip you off AND meet the one who just might make your day :sunglasses: Eat too much of that brownie that gets you a little too high before the lights go down :crazy:

Because I guarantee you that 10 years from now, if you keep that spirit, you won’t regret a single second of it. I sure as hell don’t.

#1563

^Loved this, thanks Cari :thumbup:

I agree that it has to do with geography, but first of all, a lot of kids in my generation are very very casual Phish fans because of the simple fact that when we were finding the music we love, Phish wasn’t touring, there was no buzz going around like ‘man that Phish show I saw the other night was absolutely sick’…in fact it was the first Phish show in my area since they got back together that got me into em, and I wasn’t even there, it was the buzz they created at Bonnaroo that year…so a lot of the kids are seeing them because they think its cool (which I never knew it was a a status type of thing to be a Deadhead until I got to college, which was a major bummer to find out) to be seeing hippie bands and doing all the drugs they can get their hands on, so naturally you’re gonna get a lot of kids that talk because its not that important, or ones that don’t fit the looks of a Phish fan (flatbills) because their main type of music isn’t Phish, this is very prevalent in the south I think…

but for whatever reason, I think the midwest does get it just as much if not more than the Northeast, they have the same desire to see Phish with less opportunities, so when they come to town, they shut their mouth and dance their asses off…that’s why the my first shows in Cincy were so special to me other than the simple fact they were my first shows, because the crowd was by far the best I’ve been a part of, and I can’t wait for Phish’s return to the US Bank Arena

#1564

Wahoo! Real fun shows.

#1565

Oh yeah, I forgot about those shows! :shifty: Those are also a PHENOMENAL example of how much the Midwest “gets it”. Both of those shows were hot fire, and I know Trey noticed it, due to his little comment after the second night about wishing they could play for a week. Those shows and Deer Creek had a very similar energy, and it was amazing. Midwesterners are awesome Phish fans!

Some of my favorite people I’ve met at Phish shows (or anywhere for that matter) have been from the Midwest. Specifically Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In fact, the coolest people I ever sat next to at a Phish show were from Wisconsin. There is a really great, humble mentality going on in that region of the country that I think a lot of us could learn from. Of course I’m speaking generally here, but I really do believe that the Midwest attitude is very mellow, and it makes those people very pleasant to be around.

Another great example: this dude that camped next to us at Deer Creek. He was from South Bend, his name was Joe, and he was one cool motherfucker. I wish I would have thought of some way to get in touch with that dude after the shows. Although, I was in rare form those two nights, so I’m not sure what he thinks of me… :confused: :smiley:

EDIT: And Cari, that post made my day. :thumbup:

#1566

Midwest fluffing. :think: :bulb:[attachment=0]crappedmypants.jpg[/attachment]

#1567

Unfortnately, SPAC '09 was one of the worst. Show was great. Peeps… not so much. :confused:

Other than Buster and Vultured, of course!! Those two are awesome.

#1568

I think it may be a matter of whether or not you actually notice this stuff. At this age and with my personality or whatever, I have space issues. I am very aware of when someone is too close. And no amount of amazing jams can make me ignore it. People just don’t seem to have very much respect at Phish shows, regardless of the coast. It’s a very territorial situation, which is why I tend to hang towards the back.

#1569

To you guys that love the midwest so much, here’s what to do. Write a letter to the band. “Dear Phish, midwest crowds get it. Especially Michigan. I bet you guys could play 3 nights in Detroit! So, you should visit Michigan this summer, and maybe even the fall. Sincerely, The Undersigned”

#1570

Man…I totally tune out just about everyone during the shows. Except my besties!

#1571

I really miss getting up close. My first few shows I was up front, and as a musician it’s a whole nother ball game to witness them fretboards at close range.

Since they sell out tens of thousands of seats in a given arena, the competition is way tough, so I never bother to try. Closest I got was GA floor tickets for Worcester night 1. By the end of set one we’d drifted back, victims of the way more determined. We bailed on the floor at setbreak to hang with the OKP!

I don’t know how I’d handle the space thing at this point; I’m a lot older and probably crankier!

#1572

seeing mike’s band in charlotte nc was about as good as it gets for me. i was right up front directly in front of him. seeing every note and the looks exchanged between him and the rest of the band is something i’ll never forget. and i got a skin it back encore :slight_smile:

we were lower level page side for 1-1 and it just got way too crowded for me. i was paying more attention to how little room i had. so i went behind the stage fish side and had an amazing show. tons of room, you get to watch fish go nuts and the lights playing on those cramped up people on the floor looks awesome :slight_smile:

#1573

Yeah, it’s really just too damn much to get up front at a Phish show. I’ve never tried, but I’ve heard all the stories. I mean, I could actually probably pull it off without too much trouble since I’m a really big guy and I do very well at forcing my way through crowds. I dare Antelope Douche to even TRY to elbow me in the face. I’m not a fighter by nature, but I’m far from being a pushover, and it would honestly kinda make me day to finally be the one to tell the guy to fuck off. 'Course, I’ve never dealt with the guy so who knows, he could be really tough, but somehow I doubt it. :think:

Anyway, I would love to get up front just one time in my Phish career. Just to be able to watch Trey and (especially) Mike work their fretboards. Also, as Jae said, watching the looks they exchange and the interplay between band members would be incredibly exciting.

#1574

East Coast and Midwest shows >>>> West Coast shows because people get loud and rowdy. That creates energy in the crowd, which feeds the band, and they play better. Every Phish show I’ve seen on the West Coast is just a bunch of potheads standing there smoking way too much pot to get loud and rowdy or even cheer. There were a few times at the Greek where they had just laid down an awesome jam and it was like a fucking golf clap as opposed to Deer Creek or MSG where the place gets loud as fuck.

To be fair, it does come at a price. With rowdiness comes a little bit more obnoxious people, but to me it makes the music better so it’s worth it.

#1575

At Cinci in '00 I was up front and as close to the front of the stage I have ever been.

I think a better seat was the second night of Cinci in '09, I was front row on the side stage directly behind Fishman. Probably about 15 feet from him, and I could see the entire band straight down the stage. Really a great position, not the best for a fantastic light show, but even that was still enjoyable.

#1576

We were in the same place but on Page side for the 12/31 MSG show. Probably the best spot I’ve ever been for a Phish show. Way better than being on the rail on the floor. More room, eye level with the band. Especially for the Meatstick shenanigans. It literally felt like I was onstage.

#1577

Another great spot was Cobo. I was front row on Fishman side, pretty much straight across from the SBD. Stage level = awesome.

Red circle = me.

#1578

record a new record > hamptron > june in europe > 4th of july fest in upstate NY > late summer US tour > fall LP release > fall tour > NYE run in freakin’ … Hawaii. I dunno.

#1579
#1580