This show as one of the show's where you had to be in attendance to fully understand, which we were. The city of St. Louis was a buzz all day in preparation of bringing Lord Stanley home. After spending a beautiful day in town seeing Busch Stadium, going to the top of the Arch, and visiting some local brew pubs, we were ready for Night 2. CDT and Moma opened the night very strong especially with the Blues already ahead in Game 7. Waves slowed us down a bit, but is such a great song. They need to open this one a bit (please listen to Bethel Soundcheck Jam from 2011). Our seats tonight were in Section 108, and we could see Kuroda painting his masterpiece all night which was very cool to watch all night! I always enjoy Undermind, and this one ended with some Fishman antics. Any Kasvot tune works for me, and WACTOOB was no exception. Set Your Soul Free followed, which I thought would be set closer, but more fitting to end the Set was Antelope. This is where the night became extra special. The Blues scored again, and the roar from the crowd was unforgettable. Phish are hockey fans and they know exactly what was going on. Antelope even ended with a Gloria tease which I thought might be a mistake. If the Blues lost, Phish would be the scapegoats for sure. Fortunately the setbreak was spent watching St. Louis win the Cup.
My partner in crime Bob, said there was no way Phish was not going to play Gloria. And sure enough Set 2 opens with Gloria. Page handled the vocals on this full take on the song. Next is the GOAT for Loving Cup. A perfect way to start the Set; celebrating a Stanley Cup win and getting two songs that will not be forgotten anytime soon. Loving Cup jams out and leads us into Twist, which was an incredible version as we found ourselves lost in the Foam many times before Trey brings us back into Twist to remind us what song they are playing. About the Run is one of my favorites from GOTF, and the 1st version Phish version delivers. Mr. Completely starts up next, and can't believe I have seen the last two versions; tonight and 26Jul17. Whoot-whoot! Mr. C and Light do not disappoint, and are both similar to Twist; Bob and I are lost in the Foam during the jams before Trey brings back the song proper. I'll take Waste anytime as a ballad, and Bob loves any song from Billy Breathes. Suzy Greenberg finishes up out with Fishman Blue's antics during the neurologist shouts. This second set was outstanding and Trey was not only playing rockstar on the guitar, but also all over the stage.
Farmhouse is our first encore and I have been very fond of this tune recently. Kuroda's spins very fine and bright white lights to the point where you can stick you hands in-between them in the audience. First Tube closes us out with more rockstar Trey, which is fine with me. I like Passion!
I was so blessed to see the opening two night in St. Louis with Bob. The energy was so amazing both nights, and Phish was on their game, contrary to a few other reports. We are so blessed to have our band playing at this level in 2019. Go see Phish and enjoy every note they play.