The Verdict:
In my opinion, this show is not nearly good enough to deserve the high praise it's apparently gotten elsewhere, but it is a step back in the right direction after some serious doldrums. Between this show and 6/18, I'm hoping we'll at least head into Super Ball with some momentum.
The first set starts off a bit rough, to be honest. Things get tighter further in (that's what she said), but really it's a typical 2011 first set: neat songs, but nothing to really sink your teeth into. Your mileage might vary if you really enjoy "Forbin's" > "Mockingbird," or if you're thrilled to hear the 300th average-great version of "Wolfman's."
Griping aside, though, things actually get mildly interesting in the second set. "Number Line" opens, and is actually a pretty ripping version. The highlight of the show, though, and I suspect the reason for much of the rejoicing, is the "Rock and Roll" > "Ghost" combo. Both of these get jammed out, and get to some interesting places, and while they would likely be considered run-of-the-mill jams anytime after 2012 or anytime before 2009, in this context they are awesome.
Phish - 6/17/11 "Jam > Ghost" from Phish on Vimeo.
The rest of the set is a little gaggy (as in, full of gags, not so bad you gag), with "Icculus" being followed by "HYHU" > "Bike" > "HYHU," but the "YEM" that ends the set is probably the best version in a tour that's been sort of choked with them so far.
So, yeah. It's a pretty good 2011 show with a few surprise Gamehendge tunes and a serious highlight in "Rock and Roll" > "Ghost," but nothing to lose your mind over. Unless you compare it to the last ten or so shows, in which case WOOOOOOW.
The Live Review:
6/17/11: Showtime! Mike's Song opener.
6/17/11: Mike's > Hydrogen.
6/17/11: Trey struggling a lot tonight. Big flubs already in Mike's and Hydrogen. > Groove.
6/17/11: Bouncin' is next. We're not exactly off to a raging start, here.
6/17/11: NICU > Sample. Is this a festival set?!
6/17/11: Ahh...Colonel Forbin's! Nice.
6/17/11: Super-short narration: 'I don't want to give it away...but I think you all know who this is...'
6/17/11: Mockingbird, then a quick breather before Axila I.
6/17/11: Wolfman's. Finally a chance for some leg-stretching. Maybe.
6/17/11: Nice little funk jam developing, actually.
6/17/11: Good ol' rock and roll peak to wrap it up.
6/17/11: Scent of a Mule is next. Weird start to the duel section.
6/17/11: Some extra mustard on that Mule. Stealing Time is next.
6/17/11: Pretty standard Stealing Time to end the set.
6/17/11: Only points of interest (and that's stretching it) in S1 were Wolfman's and Scent.
6/17/11: Unless you really like seeing Forbin's > Mockingbird show up, I guess.
6/17/11: S2 kicks off with Number Line. That can't be a good sign. :)
6/17/11: Okay, in his defense, Trey just went to fucking TOWN on Number Line.
6/17/11: Rock and Roll next. Seems to be a big favorite in second sets this summer.
6/17/11: Rock and Roll getting a little jammy now.
6/17/11: Page on electric piano.
6/17/11: Trey is way up on the pitch shifter and everyone else is dancing around him. Minimal drumming. Really cool.
6/17/11: Distorted build coming now.
6/17/11: Almost like the build to the Hood peak, but with a different progression.
6/17/11: Build trails off before peaking into an ambient fade-out.
6/17/11: GHOST
6/17/11: A bit of droning intro, and some tension-building bits, and we've got a real Ghost jam on our hands, folks.
6/17/11: Great move into a huge peak. Love it.
6/17/11: Page ripping up the organ now.
6/17/11: Fade-out leads to a standard Free. Reba next.
6/17/11: Pretty standard Reba...which, of course, means that it was an awesome Reba.
6/17/11: ICCULUS
6/17/11: After ordering us to 'Read the fucking book!' Icculus wraps up and HYHU starts.
6/17/11: Fish laying down a particularly hairy vacuum solo for Bike now.
6/17/11: HYHU > Bike > HYHU
6/17/11: A late-set, shred-heavy Chalkdust leads into YEM.
6/17/11: I know I've been griping a lot lately about mediocre shows ending with YEM, but this is a particularly strong version.
6/17/11: Even if the show itself was not particularly a rager.
6/17/11: Nice Wilson, Loving Cup encore.
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