The Return of Phish.

The cycling of seasons is a primal fact of life, and though this summer was loaded with travel, friends, family, and shows, I welcome the onset of transition into autumn (perhaps my favourite of the seasons). Summer Phish tour has always been a synthesis of these elements, and why I was so eager to get back on the road to see the boys to see if they still have it.

Well, there's no question, they are fine-tuned, focused, and ready to go... Having plenty of speculation, I initially thought I'd try to make it to a few shows to feel it out. But after ten shows this summer, I am left counting the days until Festival 8, they're Halloween Festival in Indio, CA. I saw friends I haven't seen since college. I saw songs I've never seen. And, I saw the most incredible live artists to ever walk on stage at the most beautiful venue in the world: Phish at Red Rocks (four nights). In addition to the four Red Rocks (Denver-ish), I saw Star Lake (Pittsburgh-ish), Deer Creek (Indianapolis-ish), a pair at Alpine Valley (Milwaukee-ish), Darien Lake (Buffalo-ish), and Hartford Meadows (Hartford).

The best show: Hartford Meadows Music Center (14. August 2009). Hands down. Not only was the setlist epic, but the playing was as good as I've seen since the late nineties! The energy of the crowd and the band alike was electric. They couldn't help but bust out rarities and special treats, complete with vacuum solos and classic stage antics. I have never seen Trey that happy on stage (his smile grew into an uncontrollable laugh during Mockingbird)... and his energy transcended to the fans. Hartford was my 73rd Phish show, and it will always live in my top three favourite shows.

Thanks to all of the friends, old and new, that I had the opportunity to spend time with at the shows this summer. Something tells me there are plenty more where those came from...