, attached to 2016-07-02

Review by Franklin

Franklin Very possibly the definition of average-great.
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Pretty mellow but still excellent first set -- the energy waxed and waned in a way that was really effective. I wasn't sure if I was ready for a barnburner after last night, and I think we got eased in nicely. Just some notes:

555 - Basically always good. The tension/funk combo is just wonderful; definitely Phish's third best song about trains.

BOTT - Loads of mustard from the band and some real majesty from CK5 made this a very strong type-I rendition of Phish's second best song about trains.

Army of One + Divided Sky - A great, melodic centerpiece.

Martian Monster - The footnote "Trey on Marimba Lumina" should just be changed to "Fun was had by all" from here on out.

46 Days + WOTC - If Army of One and Divided Sky are the melodic duo in this set, these two are the rager duo. Just buckets of fun and a great way to go out on a high note.

This is a real example of setlist flow, imho... we alternate between energy levels and give everybody something to be thankful for. Is it an all-timer first set like 11/17/97? Obviously not, because they didn't play Train Song, which is Phish's best song about trains. But it does its job -- over an hour of exciting music for the people who are there and a decent tape for people who weren't there to hear some good Phish songs.

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I am glad to announce that the group in front of the Green Port-a-Potty last night was MUCH BETTER at Bathroom Efficiency than the group in front of the Grey Port-a-Potty on night one. Good work, team.

All told, this setbreak was far superior to the previous evening's, not only because of the bathroom success, but also because SPAC HAS MOZZARELLA STICKS. (More on this below.)
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There is truly no feeling in the world better than listening to the opening notes of No Men in No Men's Land while biting into a mozzarella stick. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure, I recommend you do so now. Then proceed to the rest of the review.

Unfortunately, the mozzarella sticks were really the only noteworthy part of this song. Perhaps I should not have eaten them so quickly -- once my eight minutes of cheese time were over, the second set opener bit the dust as well.

With my sticks vanquished, Phish new that they had to deliver something fun in order to fill the void in my heart. Fuego delivered, coming in at a temperature almost as hot as the aforementioned fried cheese, dropping a pretty jam that strayed a little far from the ranch and then realized that it forgot its lunch and went straight back. Still, it's a sweet version that gives you a little bit more than an average Fuego and a little bit less than a great Fuego.

Light was a real highlight (HA!). Trey decided to play lead guitar in a rock band for a little bit, wading into the pool of bliss with his swimmies on, summoning some delightful melodies that complimented Page's textures. (Page, by the way, is MVP of the show for me, not only for a filthy Julius solo but also for bailing out the band at the end of Light, setting up the segment that would eventually -> Golden Age).

The whole rest of the show, from Golden Age on through, was another of 2016's becoming-signature fourth quarters. Everybody boogied, everybody sang along, glowsticks were thrown. The lights went white, people raised their hands and clapped, the guy behind me insisted that this was the greatest thing that ever happened, etc. etc. We had so much fun, and I understand that this kind of fun is had at basically every Phish show. This makes it average, this makes it great. There are a few things I'd recommend a listen to (mainly Martian Monster, Fuego, Light, Antelope), but this show is best-served as a Saturday night dance party. Nothing wrong with that, nothing legendary about it either.


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