Phish - Chicago - 6/11/2010 / Toyota Park - Review and Photos

Phish – Chicago 6-11-2010 - Toyota Park

Words by Kevin Long

Photos by Ellis Jones

I sat in the lot with all good company, with phans ranging from old school to kids oblivious to what was about to transpire at Toyota Park. A part of me found myself covetous of the experience an inaugural show gives a teenager, what I did not know was Phish was about to make it feel like the first time for everyone! The anticipation and excitement could not be any more intoxicating when the boys hit the stage around eight. The show that followed gave us a blast from the past and a glimpse of the direction this magical band is heading, two sets of music each being as different as they were perfect.

The first set kicked off with an extremely tight 'Down with Disease'. It was evident by the energy the band displayed that they were as eager for tour to kick off as the rest of us. After the fitting opener, the boys continued with another definitive song, 'Wolfmans Brother'. Though familiar to all, this arrangement was fresh and went in any direction the band felt like taking it, thus setting the mood of the first set, familiar songs that journeyed to unfamiliar places then back home again. This was no more evident than when the band played 'Reba'. The whole direction of the jam was shaped by Page and Gordon, all the while Trey laid waiting before putting in his two cents. The end result was my favorite 'Reba' in recent memory. Next on our set from the Phish gods was the underplayed, 'Jesus left Chicago' – a much bluesier version than Miami, and Page (who was on fire all night) really shined on this number. He showed that his range is never ending and his talent behind the keys is unmatched with a solo that I never wanted to stop. On a night where the weather was as uncertain as the jams that were directing our feet to move, a 'Divided Sky' was an ideal and magical choice for the packed stadium. The vocals were spirited and Trey took us on a journey with his hypnotic guitar work on this sacred song. I was trying to stay hydrated but the boys refused to take a song off as they closed this epic set with 'Golgi Apparatus' and then 'David Bowie'! Both played like they were the last two songs of the tour, not the end of the first set of their inaugural summer show. Although 'Golgi' only clocked in under five minutes, it had the power of Thor's hammer. With the house lights on, we all sang “I saw you with a ticket stub in your hand”. The energy was electric as we all danced as one! The fifth member of the band was in heaven as the classics continued to flow. 'David Bowie' was the perfect closer to an unbelievable set, being played to its fullest and giving us a peak at what the second set had in store.

 As the daylight gave way to night, and the journey to get water finally ended, there was a feeling things were about to get strange. The buzz rumbling through the stadium confirmed Phish owned the crowd as they prepared to lead us all through a supernatural second set. They opened with 'Light' and it was obvious the boys were taking us on a psychedelic ride like only they can. This was not last year's version of 'Light' and was not the same band performing it. They have clearly found their comfort zone, with each member leading the jam in and out of reality, all the while Fishman driving this fairly new tune to new depths. There is no adjective in Webster's that could describe what took place the rest of the set, and that is what makes this band so special. On a good night they deliver an experience unexplainable to anyone that has not been there before. The madness started with 'Maze' (as it often does) and the boys where right -- we've lost it and we were hopefully never getting out, and that's just what they wanted. As Mike Gordon laid down the opening bass bombs of 'Ghost', the crowd was focused all the while bemused at what this song has become. A classic that can go anywhere on any given night. Tonight, Page, Fishman and Gordy took it to unexplored territory with Trey always coming in at the perfect time to keep things fresh. I was so lost in the jam, the next thing I knew they had arrived at 'Limb by Limb' and I had lost twenty minutes of my life. They ended this rare gem with a full on vocal jam to the amazement of all! Although this set was every bit as good, if not better than the first, they took on a different sound altogether, going from tight jams in favor of spacey, tripped out grooves.

Phish gave us all a second to catch our breaths before launching into 'Prince Caspian' to start the last portion of the show. Trey did as only he can, and led us down this mythical path until we were all afloat upon the waves, his guitar-work being as crisp as ever. The only thing this amazing start of tour was missing was a ballad. This was delivered in the form of 'The Horse>Silent in the Morning'. It was much needed and played with delicate perfection! After the calming and warmth brought by this gem, it was time to kick it old school again with an insane 'Antelope'. Trey and the boys took this time to show that they are the best at what they do (throw down) with each member, showing just why they are musical gods. While kicking my soul into high gear and the massive crowd doing pretty much the same, I was thinking, “What a great song to close a perfect show.” The boys had a different ending in mind, debuting 'Show of Life'. A great, new song that I enjoyed more than anything off Joy. It is similar to the evening in the fact that its an instant classic! The boys leave the stage to a defining applause, my mouth wide open trying to wrap my head around what I just witnessed. “What will they encore with?”, my friend asked. “Who cares!”, I reply, knowing they will not let us down. Phish retakes the stage and immediately kick into a groovy 'Cavern' then a soulful 'Julius', a double encore to end the best show of the tour, or begin the best tour yet? I am convinced they played 'Julius' just for the guy who held the sign all night, for nobody was to leave Toyota Park unsatisfied! Walking out of the stadium, I ask, “Which way is Blossom?” My friend replies, “We have to find our car first...”. We both laugh. Tour is here! Tour is here! Thank the Phish gods, Tour is here!

SET ONE
Down with Disease
Wolfman's Brother
Possum
Boogie on Reggae Woman
Reba
Jesus Left Chicago
The Divided Sky
Golgi Apparatus
David Bowie

SET TWO
Light
Maze
Ghost >
Limb by Limb
Prince Caspian
The Horse >
Silent in the Morning
Run Like an Antelope
Show of Life*
Encore -
Cavern
Julius

*first time played.