The Verdict:
Of course, the big news of this show is the Bobby sit-in. And, really, that's the only news. The first set both really disorganized and lacking in points of interest. Things don't really get going until "Ghost," and even that, even by the standards of first-set "Ghosts" in 3.0, is pretty plain. "Sand" is an isolated bright spot, "Limb By Limb" features some solid Trey and Page interplay, and "2001" doesn't reinvent the wheel, but continues to develop the tune in interesting ways as has been the case throughout most of 2016.
The first third of set two is just a plain bit of music serving as a lead-in for Bobby's bit. I really like the sit-in for its historic value, but, honestly, it takes things awhile to get going. Trey and Bobby don't really gel that well on "Samson and Delilah," and though there are bright spots in "Twist," it's a long version that has as many awkward moments as good ones. "Miss You" with Bobby on vocals is...interesting, though the emotional impact is blunted a bit by the fact that Bobby, not unlike Trey in many ballad situations, can't remember the words. "West LA Fadeaway" is a stronger tune, but doesn't really get built out in any interesting way. It's really "Playin' in the Band" where everyone finally figures out how to work together best, and it's a fantastic twelve minutes. The "Quinn" encore comes too soon afterward.
The Live Review:
10/18/16: CDT opener.
10/18/16: That might just be the least energetic CDT I've ever heard. Hope it's not a sign of things to come.
10/18/16: Ascend Amphitheater sounds empty.
10/18/16: I mean, I know Bob Weir comes out for the second set, so that's nice.
10/18/16: Blaze On sounds like a sleepwalk, too. Maybe it's just the mix?
10/18/16: Going early with Ghost again.
10/18/16: Working off the lethargy here in this version of Ghost.
10/18/16: Compact, Type I Ghost. But at least it sounds like everyone is awake now. Lawn Boy next.
10/18/16: Halley's Comet > Sand
10/18/16: Damn, this Sand is nuts.
10/18/16: *insert fire emoticon here*
10/18/16: Well that was a nice bright spot in a slow set.
10/18/16: Tide Turns. Really following up on that energy, there.
10/18/16: Each band member was playing a different version of the song there for a minute.
10/18/16: That Tide Turns was...clunky.
10/18/16: 46 Days next.
10/18/16: Dick's announced mid-46 Days. That was fun.
10/18/16: Breath and Burning next. This reminds me of 10/15, energy-wise. Who's writing these setlists?! I have rock blue balls.
10/18/16: Breath and Burning played at half-speed. You know, because it's such a corker as-is.
10/18/16: Limb By Limb gets things going again. Again.
10/18/16: Nice Trey/Page interplay on this Limb By Limb jam.
10/18/16: Cavern.
10/18/16: > 2001. That was unexpected. This set is weird.
10/18/16: Phish going to town on this 2001.
10/18/16: A little bit of melodic jamming from Trey inside of 2001 now. This is neat.
10/18/16: Nevermind, that got normal quick. End set.
10/18/16: I'm surprised how normal that set was, considering the setlist.
10/18/16: CDT, Blaze On, Ghost, Sand, 46 Days, Limb By Limb and 2001 ALL IN THE FIRST SET and literally no legit interesting music.
10/18/16: Check out the Sand, though. It's fun.
10/18/16: Julius opens the second set. Bobby better come out before the inevitable Julius, Character Zero, Joy > Wading > Miss You sequence.
10/18/16: Just because of that tweet, I bet they'll play a full ballad set at Dick's.
10/18/16: I'm a bad person.
10/18/16: Neat little stretch of Trey solo in that Julius, I'll admit. Fuego next.
10/18/16: Straightforward Fuego > MFMF. Clearly just biding time until Bobby sit-in.
10/18/16: Bob Weir just walked out on stage and the crowd noise is on par with the Colorado 88 shows.
10/18/16: Was Nashville just really empty or something?
10/18/16: Samson and Delilah. Loving the two-guitar sound.
10/18/16: Twist next. Loving the Twist intro with Bobby's licks in there.
10/18/16: Slow-building Twist jam so far, with some great, somewhat tension-y guitar interplay.
10/18/16: Jam taking a turn for the 2015.
10/18/16: Trey trilling along while Bobby lays down some weird shit.
10/18/16: Neat, deconstructed section now. Reminds me of Undermind, a bit.
10/18/16: Bluesy section now.
10/18/16: Whole thing is a little chaotic, and held together by the rhythm section.
10/18/16: Reminded me a bit of something from the Victor Disc, honestly.
10/18/16: Like Bobby's vocals on Miss You, but am not sure why they're playing it in the same key Trey sings it in.
10/18/16: Is it bad that I'm amused by the notion of Trey having to deal with someone else's lyrical flubs?
10/18/16: West LA Fadeaway.
10/18/16: Bobby and Trey trading verses.
10/18/16: Playin' In the Band
10/18/16: Guitars finally jelling well here. Sounds like a legit Phish jam with Bobby joining in.
10/18/16: This is great.
10/18/16: Quinn encore. That's fun.
10/18/16: Overall, this was easily the least interesting and engaging show of the fall tour so far...except for the mini-set with Bobby.
10/18/16: That was a neat novelty back-to-front, with Playin' as a legitimate musical highlight.
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