Phish - October 30th, 2021
MGM Grand Garden Arena · Las Vegas · NV
1 Unfinished.
2 Partially spoken in French by Page and Mike.
Song length in play order. Tap a point for that song. Swipe the chart to see the rest.
Tonight's unique songs by the era Phish first played them.
- '83-'898
- '90-'945
- '95-'006
- '09-'145
- '15-'191
The studio home of each song, from phish.net. Covers count as one slice.
- Farmhouse2
- The Story of the Ghost2
- A Picture of Nectar1
- Fuego1
- Hoist1
- Joy1
- The White Tape1
- Covers3
- No studio album13
Shows since each song's previous appearance. A big number is a bustout.
- 3-55
- 6-157
- 16-509
- 51+ · bustout4
Whose songbook tonight drew from.
- Phish original22
- Amfibian1
- Sam Hopkins1
- The Beatles1
A deep-cut night - 4 songs shelved 50+ shows.
Gap = shows since the song was last played, at the moment it was played.
The opening song of the "animals" show, a surprisingly insistent low-key groove reminiscent of "BOAF" emerges out of the song proper, driven by Page's piano work. Trey then briefly moves the band into major key territory, before the jam grows hazier and more effects-laden, and then neatly moves back into "The Dogs".
First: Listen to the aud. Second: Inspired, given the evening's theme, the band is game. More so than most of late, the band dallies a bit, seeing "Lope" as playful as is ought to be, with all sorts of (and you don't even need to watch) smiling band intraplay. Page is of course crashing in on his keys; Mike is hammering from the start; and Fish is Phish (or close); but this version dominates because Trey attacks. No set-closure, we're early on here, and Trey makes that clear. When he works his effects before reaching for that peak, tune in. And keep listening - because it's false. And then we're in .....
The normally upbeat song/jam goes contemplative. The rest of the band creates a texture for Trey to solo over. All four members coalesce around 10:00 for a neat groove, which eventually fizzles out and > into "Guyute".
Strong version that really comes to a head with Trey wringing some gnarly notes from his guitar in the peak.
"YPC" gets its legs fully stretched out for the first time. As this song can, it sounds not unlike a "Tube" jam. This version is replete with great playing from Page on his synth. Around 9:15, Trey leads the band into new territory. His play is deliberate, Mike and Fish push the jam underneath him. Page wails on his keys alongside. The jam reaches a frenzied peak around 13:45 and then goes back into the song proper and then > "Runaway Jim".
> from "YPC," the play here, while not extraordinarily out of bounds, is expertly placed, showcasing yet another of 2021's strengths - song placement. As if effortless, the band moves through a spirited, languid "Jim," blissfully light of effects and rife with tonal shifts and pure musicianship. Each musician - riding Fish's bend-but-don't-break wave contributes. That said: Trey fans. Tune in. His tone and his play is remarkable, and listen as he brightens (Page following) to > "Piper." Excellence.
Versions phish.net's jam charts single out as noteworthy.
The songs in this show were based on animals. Big Black Furry Creature From Mars and Harpua contained Little Squirrel quotes. Shaggy Dog was played for the first time since June 22, 2012 (332 shows). I Am The Walrus was played for the first time since July 29, 2017 (131 shows). and featured Little Squirrel and Shipwreck quotes. Runaway Jim was unfinished and included a Hey, Ho, Nobody Home tease from Trey. Harpua was performed for the first time since July 30, 2017 (130 shows) and featured Carini, Your Pet Cat, and If 6 Was 9 quotes as well as This Jesus Must Die scatting from Trey. Part of Harpua was spoken in French by Page and Mike.
Setlist, gaps, jam charts, and notes from phish.net, a project of the non-profit Mockingbird Foundation.