WTU>

Atop a barstool in the midst of Philly happy hour, I was socially questioned, to state it mildly. 

“What’s the point?!?!?”

These were the words of the bartender when he found out I was on the road for the next 10 days following Phish. He had just concluded an extended rant about a woman the night prior who informed him that she was attending both nights at The Mann. 

Maybe that was my queue to keep my mouth closed, but I was somehow excited to top that by calmly interjecting that I’d be at the next nine shows.

This became the theme of the night. 

As a fan of the band, you get used to needing an arsenal of justifiable reasons to spend so much time, money and energy—in no particular order on four middle-aged men from Vermont who happen to play music that a niche crowd adores.

Midway through last night’s second set, emerging from an unfinished, “Down with Disease,” Phish bassist, Mike Gordon dropped one of his well-known sonic bombs. Frontman, Trey Anastasio immediately swung his head left, hopped on his pedal board and hit the chord, signaling, “What’s the Use.”

This heavy, contemplative song is usually only seen once or twice a tour. How apropos.

I took the opportunity to graze over the sweat-glistening crowd underneath the pavilion roof. It was as if many people were like-minded all at one moment. Dozens of faces, stopped and took a second to absorb their surroundings.

Perhaps they had a similar thought as I. What is the use in this? 

‘Don’t they play the same show every night?’

‘Why do you need to see them twice?’ 

‘That sounds like a waste of time.’

All the aforementioned serve as traditional judgements aimed at fandom. 

Yesterday, I hinted at the learning the value in travel. Today, it’s all up in the air. 

Last night’s show kept me on my toes to say the least. Everything seemed somewhat unexpected. Even in marketed uncertainty, you can begin notice patterns. 

A first set Mike’s Groove with, “Farmhouse” and “Horn” as the meat within the book-ended staple. An hour-long second set had most folks slightly disgruntled as we looked at our watches or iPhone’s to realize it was only 11:03 p.m., 57-full minutes before curfew. 

Most people who play ‘encore-hookie,’ leaving immediately following the conclusion of set two to save five minutes of traffic in the lot flocked toward the gates as usual. 

As Anastasio silently practiced opening chords, meeting with Gordon and keyboardist, Page McConnell, you got the sense that whatever was on deck was unusual and he was timid on its initial perception to those left in the seats.

“Dear Prudence.” Holy Toledo. When I saw this come across the Minnesota setlist from last week, I could only think, ‘if only.’

They absolutely nailed it as McConnell beautifully hit every lyric while Anastasio took rhythmic role, truthfully my favorite thing he does, although it seems seldom.

If that wasn’t enough, a 15-minute, “Harry Hood” reminded everyone to never look toward the car until the band says so. 

This blog was written outside of Randolph’s on a beautiful evening in Brooklyn, Tecate (w/lime, of course) in hand. An off night on tour is often needed so one can dip his or herself back into society for a dozen hours or so.

—Stephen