After nearly a decade away Phish, one of the best-known jam bands, made their return to Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati on Sunday, June 5.
Aside from three sold-out shows scheduled in Chicago for mid-August, this show was the closest Phish members, guitarist and vocalist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, keyboardist Page McConnell and drummer Jon Fishman got to southern Indiana on their current 33 show tour, which will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 4, in Commerce City, Colo.
Scheduled to start at 7 p.m., it was close to 7:45 p.m. before the band, known for their long jams, took the stage. After a security guard told me there is a $1,000-a-minute fine for artists who are on stage past 11 p.m. I was left to wonder how they would be able to cram in a variety of tunes from their 14-album discography, which dates back to 1986.
Vermont’s “phinest” managed to provide numerous crowd pleasers into the show’s two sets as they opened with “AC/DC Bag,” which fans refer to as a “typical upbeat opener.” Throughout the evening Anastasio lead the band into tour debuts of rarities and fan favorites such as “Bathtub Gin,” a live rarity of “Lawn Boy,” which features a catchy bass riff provided by Gordon, that lead into an even rarer performance of, “Mound.” This was the fourth time the song has been performed since 1996, according to some fans.
Phish fans know their concerts, with some following the band in the same fashion as the Grateful Dead’s “deadhead” fan base. The music makes a great background while observing this diverse crowd. For most concerts the “best seats” are down front, but at a Phish show the lawn is the choice spot. While enjoying the show, fans can be found doing anything from hula hooping and interpretive dancing to blowing bubbles.
Aside from long jams, Phish is known for incorporating covers into their live performances, this show was no exception and featured two including “Cross-eyed and Painless” by Talking Heads and “Loving Cup” by the Rolling Stones. From time to time they also use non-conventional instruments, their most identifiable is when drummer Jon Fishman performs a solo using an Electrolux vacuum cleaner, of course all while wearing his signature blue muumuu with a red donut pattern. Fishman didn’t disappoint with the muumuu but the vacuum must have been in the shop for the Cincinnati performance, however Anastasio did sing the verses of “Fee” through a megaphone.
The band broke for intermission a little after 9 p.m., after an upbeat first set. Given the sweltering humidity, which was probably enhanced by being next to the Ohio River, and faced with a two hour drive home, when it came to sticking around for the second set, I opted out. This set reportedly featured more extended and darker psychedelic jamming.
Fans who missed the show, or only part of it like I did, can purchase the show in its entirety or individual tracks by going to www.livephish.com and searching the catalog.
Setlist
Set 1: AC/DC Bag, Punch You In the Eye, Bathtub Gin, Taste, Lawn Boy, Mound, Gotta Jibboo, Reba, Fee, Backwards Down the Number Line
Intermission
Set 2: Carini, Tweezer, Free, Crosseyed and Painless, Light, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Julius, You Enjoy Myself
Encore: Loving Cup and Tweezer Reprise
