Phish - August 22nd, 2015

With an exception or two (11/30/94, 8/11/04), "Antelope" always begins and ends the same way. What's in between separates the great from the typical. This version nicely strays from the ranch from 4:50 - 6:15, and includes a nasty, gnarly and tension-loaded push to the peak.

The jam moves beyond the rocking norm to some dark probing, before gradually shifting to serene and introspective exploration. After swelling to a modest peak, the jam -> to "BDTNL."

Fierce, punchy version that soars from the get-go, with Trey employing killer effects. The jam then plateaus, and then launches into melodic, major key mode for a while before dissolving into Caspian.

The jam that emerges from this "Caspian" at around 6:00 is superb and must-hear Phish. Whether you think of this as a "Tweezer" or "Caspian" jam is a pedestrian concern; just enjoy this band kicking asses in its 33rd year!!

At the 7:45 mark, Trey's chording shifts this top-notch "Blaze On" from straight ahead bopping to deep melodic exploration for five minutes, when suddenly the band flips a switch and begins a psychedelic horror show filled with off-kilter intervals and eerie effects that last until the jam somehow careens swiftly into (and leaves explosive residue on) -> "Possum".

Another strong and typically funky "Cities" -> "Mind Left Body Jam" sandwich.

-> in from "Cities." Last heard in 1998, 17 years earlier, this throwback recalls great moments throughout the band's history.

> in from "Mind Left Body Jam." Concluding section sets up a nice transition to a solid "Light."

Particularly delicate playing from Trey in the first jam which is broken off by Fish in thunderous fashion. Second jam features calypso rhythms reminiscent of the Augusta version.

Set somewhat conspicuously at the large drive-in movie theater near the back of the festival grounds, underneath the large “MAGNABALL” sign. The aptly named “Drive-In Jam” is arguably the most emblematic example of 2015’s stellar musical achievements. The music creeps in subtly and surely, as hushed ambience begins to intensify with traditional keyboard and guitar effects, along with more abrasive and somewhat atonal auxiliary samples and loops not typically heard in a “normal” jam. As the jam progresses, the large projector screen begins to show cosmic imagery that obfuscates and fractilizes the image of the band performing, eventually revealing them to be behind the projector screen. Around 10 minutes in, the previously arrhythmic jamming forms up into a gorgeously melodic zone, lead by Fishman’s delicate and masterful cymbal-focused playing. Here, the weight of the world seems to melt away under Trey’s outsized, haunting melodic declamations, and we’re off to the races. Space is the place, and we’re living in it here, with Mike’s synth bass smoldering and soaking deep into the ground, before a quick ride-cymbal inflected groove picks up the momentum significantly. A smoking Krautrock attack shapes up, with gargantuan slabs of wah and delay-colored guitar and melodic clavinet playing heaped on top. Ideas flow like water from here, as the band music/band seems to always know just when to rock, abstract, and cool (with various subtle vocal interjections interspersed throughout). The sonic assault eventually cools towards a coda with haunting melodic interplay from Trey and Mike, putting the finishing touches on a true benchmark musical moment for latter-day Phish.