PHISH, SATURDAY 12/30/2023
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
New York, NY

SET 1:

Backwards Down the Number Line: Standard.

Wolfman's Brother: The only way I can hear Mike on these recordings these days is if he is employing that meatball tone that he used in this version. Solid version of Wolfman’s with some interesting tone/effects from Trey.

Turtle in the Clouds: Standard.

Undermind: Love this tune. Wish they could still write stuff like this. Good version.

Kill Devil Falls: Standard.

Fuego: Love the use of the reverse reverb, good stuff in the 9 minute range. That, coupled with Page getting super creepy makes for some interesting headspace. Really enjoyed the space they got themselves in the 13 minute range. Page is soloing and Trey was strumming that 97-98 pornofunk, yet briefly. Wish Trey would have kept that going. Out of that by the 14 and a half minute range Trey has wrested control back and goes on multiple, clean tone runs. Beautiful, chill space they get into in the last 60-90 seconds. Very nice, would recommend! Super cool segue into Train Song! ->

Train Song: Standard.

It's Ice: Some interesting effects in the short jam. >

Life Saving Gun: Trey has ownership of this jam truly from the outset! Liked what Mike’s drill brought to the table early on (Lord that sounds so dumb). Trey busts out the hose in the late 10 minute range and rides that puppy. Very strong set closing jam, nicely done Phish!

SET 2:

The Well: Standard. ->

Tweezer: Major chord all the way. ->

Twist: Lots of pedals and effects. Short. >

Piper: Not much too comment on here. It’s fine I suppose, decent jam. Kind of herky jerky in the latter third.->

Golden Age: Another ‘decent’ jam. Kind of bland I suppose. It’s fine… ->

Also Sprach Zarathustra: Standard. >

Sigma Oasis: Standard. >

David Bowie: Standard. Shelve it.

ENCORE:

Slave to the Traffic Light: Someone needs to sit our guy down and play 12.7.97 for him. Until then, let’s shelve this. Pains me to say it as it is one of my top five Phish songs. >

More: Standard. Ugh.

Summary: Happy with that first set, two jams in there that resonate. That said, the first set whoops the second set’s butt. It does. The second set has nothing to revisit (for me, IMHO, YMMV, hopefully those are enough disclaimers for the easily offended). Current rating on Phish.net is Overall: 3.863/5 (300 ratings). I am not quite that high on this show. I would give it a 3/5. Second set is a paper tiger. This is my least favorite of the run so far.

Replay Value: Fuego, Life Saving Gun

Trey teased The Well in Twist.
SHOW RATING
Your rating:
Overall: 3.853/5 (277 ratings)
TEASES
The Well tease in Twist