Phish - July 30th, 2023

More Burlington than Boise, the jam brings to mind early play where the band, opening a set, deftly moves through a song to extend bend-but-not-quite-breaking-free improvisation. Make no mistake, though: Trey and Fish, ticking like a bomb, decidedly get the show on the road.

No clever ruse, "MFMF" goes big again, Trey working the song's melodic outro into a dark, driving solo; this is impassioned jamming that, in spots, sounds like "Fuego." Fire play, either way, that, incredibly, sees Page jumping from his piano to his keys before -> for "Gin" and, of course, a return to his piano.

Playful, sprite, and inventive, this is no deep dive, a la 1997, but rather a reflection of Trey's recent penchant to embrace, then explore, recent goofiness. Whacky vocals, "funky" otherness, Trey, way out front and in full effect, moves through his bag of tricks, offering a version that settles to become quite serious, a take on this classic that's not to be missed.

Debut. Trey and Page's new "Gunn" inflected banger goes big in its live debut. Focused and inventive play moves with purpose through several layers of varying texture, weaving a tapestry of sound that is a true stand out among tour highlights. Breaks > for "No Men".

A fully realized version that feeds on the preceding improvisation, launching itself off ferocious peaks to unfold into a layered and looped blossom of effects that provides a space where melodic lines and muscular leads can weave into a taut and textured fabric. Trey is fluid and confidently in charge throughout, guiding the improvisation over multiple peaks to a smooth decrescendo.

Strange and cool jam. Play quickly, and especially for "Light," becomes muddled and murky. This isn't to suggest the version isn't musical or, in parts, melodic; rather, the first part of the jam possesses many unique qualities. Just for a bit. Pleasant bleakness considerably brightens, and that by way of experimental play is erased by a bright, peak-driven conclusion.