PHISH – LIVE AT THE XFINITY THEATRE – HARTFORD

July 24, 2022. When the year started that was a date I was looking forward to for a totally different  concert experience. My buddy Christian had gifted me with Foo Fighters tickets for their Philly show as a birthday present. I had a big summer trip planned and was making sure to get back to the east coast for the show. While the untimely death of Taylor Hawkins changed that plan my friend Nancy had the backup ready to go. She had mentioned the Phish show when I was still supposed to be heading to Philly. As they say when one door closes another opens.

I was now going to get to experience my first Phish show with Nancy, who I jokingly called my Phish Sherpa, as she has been to upwards of 30 Phish shows. I will say it is more the Phish experience than just a show. The tailgating was a unique experience where people know each other from past shows. Everyone is extra friendly. Drinks and nitrous balloons are readily available.

We also went for a walk to Shakedown Street where multiple vendors were selling their wares. I think anything you needed you could find there. Before I get to the show I also have to give a shout out to Billy who was our tailgate cook and made the best patty melt I have ever eaten.

The band took the stage at 7:40, still light in Hartford, opening with “Cars, Trucks, Buses” and “Breath and Burning”. The place was packed with people and not many stayed sitting. The lawn, where we where, was up dancing, singing and having a great time the whole show. “The Final Hurrah”, “Free”, and “Yarmouth Road” were next. “Plasma”, “Sigma Oasis”, “Limb By Limb” and “ Sand” closed out the opening set.

Now while only 9 songs were played we were an hour and a half into the show. The band loves to jam. All the members take turns on vocals with guitarist Trey Anastasio the main singer. Joining him are Mike Gordon (Bass), Jon Fishman (Drums) and Page McConnell (Keyboards).

After about 30 minutes the band returned and now darkness had set in and the light show from the band and glow sticks from the crowd started to sparkle throughout the Hartford night. The jams now went from one song into another seamlessly. Leading off with “A Wave of Hope”, ”A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing”, ”Blaze On” and ”The Wedge”.

Nancy went for a walk a little near the beginning of the jam, was gone for what seemed like an hour and was back before it was over. Ending the second set was “Farmhouse”, ”Backwards Down the Number Line” and ”Character Zero”. The encore featured “Tube” and ”First Tube” which closed out the night and my first Phish experience was completed.

My Sherpa is taking me to 3 more shows in Atlantic City the beginning of August. Am I becoming a Phishhead?

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