Phish at the Mann, July 9

Opening the sixth show of summer tour and the second of two at Philadelphia's Music Center with "Glide" was a rare treat and it sure felt nice to hear the words, "We're glad, glad, glad that you're alive." 

Had they not bungled the harmonies, it may have had a better impact, but by the time Phish played the final chord of an even more rare encore placement of "Weekapaug Groove", that misstep was forgotten, or at least forgiven.

What came between was a show that kept building momentum starting with the first set of well-played variety (which is becoming their forte) that kept the songs coming and easing back on the jams, even on "Birds of a Feather" and "Wolfman's Brother". The two more pop-rock songs from 'Fuego' - "Sing Monica" and "Devotion to a Dream" - made fine danceable appearances, while 'Joy''s "Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan" showed up for the first time since opening the tour last week. "Alaska", "McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters", "Horn", "Silent in the Morning", and "Sugar Shack" all were played for the first time this tour, and all played fantastically well except for the latter. I have yet to hear one version of "Shack" that Trey did not flub.

I spent the first set in the back of the terrace section on Mike's side, but moved backward to the lawn (also on Mike's side) for the second set, where I had a great spot with excellent sight lines to both the stage and the screen. In both cases, I had plenty of dancing room. And the weather, despite forecasts for more thunderstorms, held out and the storms blew past.

Set one ended with a frenzied "Run Like an Antelope" which set the stage for a powerful, rolling second set. A slower than usual "Chalk Dust Torture" stretched into a twice-peaking jam before slowing down into "Wingsuit", with its powerful coda. A beautiful rendition of "Winterqueen" bathed everyone in the glow of its loveliness before "Twist" got the crowd up and yelling "Woo". 

As with the previous night, Phish keeps making left turns that you never see coming. In this new era of playing almost no cover songs, "Crosseyed and Painless" and "Sneaking Sally Through the Alley", both staples of Phish's live shows in the past, now felt fresh and special, the former raging in its jam before quieting into "Waste". The loud-soft game continued once more as "Mike's Song" rocked the house, only to surprise everyone on three levels by leading into "Sally" - first, it is another cover; second...out of "Mike's"?! Third, no "Weekapaug Groove" to accompany it?

We got our "Groove" in the encore, but not before the fervor of "Julius" got everyone all amped up for it.

It did not top the previous two shows (a tall order) but last night's Phish show had blissful peaks, quiet moments, and plenty to which to dance. The second set will definitely be worth repeated spins. 

Next up on the tour, Randall's Island!

Set I: Glide, Sing Monica, Birds of a Feather, Wolfman's Brother, Sugar Shack, Alaska, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan, Horn, Devotion to a Dream, Silent in the Morning, Run Like an Antelope

Set II: Chalk Dust Torture > Wingsuit > Winterqueen > Twist > Crosseyed and Painless > Waste, Mike's Song > Sneaking Sally Through the Alley

E: Julius > Weekapaug Groove