Here’s a little reminder that Phish’s Vegas ’96 went onsale today, just in case you’ve missed any of the 80 emails they sent announcing the release.
Vegas ’96 finds Phish at their absolute best, the band putting on a well-rehearsed show filled with rarities, intense jamming and an insane 30+ minute encore featuring a group of yodelers, Malachi from Children of the Corn, a buncha Elvii and half of Primus. Phish threw down jaw-dropping versions of Mike’s Song, 2001, Weekapaug Groove and Simple, all of which are finally available in all of their remastered glory.
Photo by Jeremy Stein
Phish transformed Simple from a five minute song into a launchpad for fierce improvisation during the Fall of 1996. In honor of today’s release, we’re pleased to share an exclusive web video of the Simple from Vegas ’96. This version of Simple takes off early on and never loses momentum, so make sure you have 19 minutes to spare before partaking.
Vegas ’96 is now available as a 3-CD set and also as a limited edition box set that features a bonus DVD containing the legendary encore and an extensive 40-page bound photo book in deluxe packaging. You can get your very own copy of the limited edition set thanks to our Everybody Wins When We Plug Something And In Return They Offer Us Free Shit To Give Away contest. Just follow the rules below, and we’ll announce a winner late next week:
- To enter the contest leave a comment below telling us about your favorite Phish encore of all-time in 50 words or less, and don’t choose Vegas ’96 because we hate kissasses
- Your comment must be left by 11:59 PM EST on Thursday November 29th
- Don’t be greedy, only one entry per person
- One winner will be selected by a panel of ten certified Phish geeks
- Winner receives the Vegas ’96 Limited Edition 3-CD set, T-shirt, playing cards and dice
Previously on HT: 10 Years Later: Phish Destroys America and You’re Nobody Till Someone Grifts You
192 Responses
7/24/99 Alpine Valley
Many will argree that this show itself was a sloop fest. The band started later than usual, Bad LT was MIA. Only way to salvage the show was to go for the jugular on the Encore…and the band knew it
Glide
Camel Walk
Alumni Blues
Tweezer Rp.
(see 7/25/99 for continuation of awesomeness)
I have to limit the best Phish encore IMO to shows I attended cause that’s what helps them be great for me. 08.06.98 – Atlanta edges 07.07.99 – Charlotte (D.Trucks on slide).
08.06.98 takes the cake due to the Runnin’ With The Devil (FTP) > YEM. The crowd erupts from the break with the feedback and spot-on Van Halen intro to Runnin’ With The Devil.
I live my life like there is no tomorrow > You Enjoy Myself.
Friday encore Camden ’03 of course.
If only because of the look on Trey’s face when the crowd (my friends included) mercilessly unleashed their displeasure on the RHFF. That monster four song second set with the “confidence” YEM, the MFMF opener, and the best ever Scents wasn’t enough to stop this crowd from going into, what remains today, a hilarious fit.
Marde, I meant Secret Smile. Hilarious.
Best encore ever? That’s simply unpossible. The most memorable encore, for me, had to have been Miami, 12/29/2003. No, they weren’t the best played versions ever and maybe not even great by the standards set in 97 & 98, but when the show ended with Waste, and then the second encore, Squirming Coil, started… man… I had a moment that will not be forgotten.
12-30-97
E: Carini-> Black-Eyed Katy-> Sneakin’Sally Through the Alley-> Frankenstein
that setlist plus breaking the curfew at the Union-obsessed Madison Square Garden puts it at the top of the list.
no need to look any further then 4/3/98..the greatest phish show ever.
Carini
Halley’s Comet
Tweeprise
during the encore was the first time i tried jenkem…crazy shit!
The gorge03.
Second night my wife asked
“so what song do you want for the encore”
“only one song could cap this weekend off perfect, FIRST TUBE!!”
she laughed and said “getting greedy now eh”
band comes on and kicks my ass with first tube. I couldn’t believe it…
My favorite encore, although it wasnt the best musically, was Suzie Greenberg, 2/22/03…I just loved walking out into a snowstorm and everyone yelling “SUZIE”!!!!
5/18/92 Flynn Theater, Burlington, VT. I can’t remember it that well, but I know it was awesome.
my favorite encore happened to be a show i was at, 12-30-97. my girlfriend at the time scored a free ticket before the show from some passerby, not sure who? anyway, the ticket was located in guest seating, right next to trey’s in-laws! very nice people!
carini->
black eyed katy->
sneakin’ sally rep.
frankenstein
Lemonwheel Night 1.
The triple encore of Halley’s Comet > Cavern > Tweezer Reprise was just the beginning. During Tweeprise trey explained the improvisational philosophy behind what would be a 4th set. Phish played in a Ring of Fire, illuminated by candles and tiki torches. Magical, Mystical, and Memorable in Maine.
My fave has to be the unexpected double encore on 10/16/94
E1:Highway to hell
E2:Harpua
My first Harpua… included bits of “Flashlight” by George Clinton and the P-funk Allstars.
Talk about a kickdown…
10/31/95 My Generation. After a stellar first set, 2nd set Quadrophenia costume and a down right scary 3rd set You Enjoy Myself – the boys end it fittingly. Fishman destroys his lil’ drum kit and the night is complete.
Others:
11/15/96 Mean Mr. Mustard
11/16/96 American Band
8/8/98 Terrapin Station
IT. They stood around for MINUTES before Trey says “We don’t know what we want to play.” Then he talks about never thinking about what to play, just letting it happen. Then… Dog Log>Mango. The fact that IT was a mudfest made Dog Log the perfect encore.
The encore:
Most bands take this oppurtunity to play their 3 min radio friendly hit or a medley of these hits. Phish on occasion would bring what we like to call “the heat” to the table for their encore. My personal favorite expierience was 12/30/97 when instead of ending the show w/out an encore as Trey says prior to gyute they come with a 40 minute 3rd set reprising the long lost Sneakin Sally that they opened the show with followed by an instrumental (she caught the katy) which later was formed into moma dance, and a raging Frankenstein.
4.3.98, like someone else said. Carini > Halley’s > tweeprise, with Carini coming out. One of the best Phish shows ever, and Trey completly goes nuts on the best Tweeprise ever.
Of the shows I attended, 3/1/03 stands out, not only for the well-played First Tube > YEM > Proud Mary (a Capella), but for the reaction of the Greensboro faithful when the band moved from First Tube to the unexpected YEM: The whole place seemed to be jumping up and down in unison. A great show (the Antelope smokes) with a fitting encore.
Cincy 98′ The Crown
So lonely>tweeprise.
so lonely was an utter surprise. no one could have predicted that. it just proves there was never a dull show and as fans we were always on the edge of our seats. not to mention i was 3rd row center and got busted for pot on I-75 going to the show, 5-0 took our stash and lets us go. 🙂
10/31/95
“Before “My Generation” they set up a Keith Moon replica drum set. Then Fish and Trey destroy the drum set Who-style. Finally a stagehand brings Trey a large plunger, Trey depresses it, setting of a big explosion backstage.” -phish.net
What more can you ask for in an encore to arguably the best Phish Halloween show of all time?
My favorite encore was in Chicago, 10/3/99 during the fall run. Seeing Son Seals and Sugar Blue jam out with the boys was definitly my highlight of the fall and the perfect guest(s) for Chi Town!
Encore: Funky Bitch, Messin’ with the Kid
oops
1) I chose quality over quantity on this one.
2) the ‘right’ answer isn’t on a search engine or blog. It’s in your domepiece.
Nov. 2, 1998 – First ever “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
@ The E Center (no joke) in West Valley Utah.
why? in
i agree with Wen… 10/16/94 Highway to Hell encore… band leaves the stage…end of show?… crowd goes super-nuts… band returns… “Oom Pa Pa oom pa pa Oom Pa PAAAAAA!”
Side note – Flashlight was teased a couple of nights in a row after the band boogied down well into the morning with Bootsy and his Rubber Band at Tip’s in NOLA after their 10/14/94 show. Fall 94 was a great tour!!
8/9/98 Merriweather Post Pavillion, Columbia, MD
SABOTAGE! Pure energy plain and simple. The place exploded when they busted into this one folks. I walked out of this show pumped. And then Terrapin the next night, are you serious!?
why 11/2/98?
Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side” debuts
funk-laiden, unter-attended Utah show
A 2 yr. old Harpua narrative finished.
A Virgin “Teen Spirit” encore capping it all off.
8-8-98 Sabatoge
I went to the show by myself, for the first time ever, I did meet a bunch of great people at the show and was instantly an all time favorite show of mine. Luckily for me, this show was followed up with a trip to the Lemonwheel to meet up with all my friends that would have been at this show with me.
I never thought I’d ever see a mosh pit at a Phish show, but low and behold, it happened that August Night at Merriweather for the first and last time. They nailed it and sent everyone out of that place jazzed.
My favorite Phish encore, was no encore at all. This occurred at Big Cypress NYE 2000. See, my brain was so musically satisfied that I didn’t need one. On the other hand, the many other Phish shows I attended, I just couldn’t get enough and left wanting more.
I’d say the best encore I’ve seen was deer creek ’99. I want to say second night. Oh yeah it was 7.26.99 A fine show. They left the stage then came back and opened the encore with Woodstocki of CSN. Pumped the energy up some then Trey addressed the crowd about the fires and riots at woodstock and thanked us all for being a great crowd and to keeping on living the great F&*^’n life we all do. Then they broke into Julius and there certainly were 1000 barefoot children dancing on the lawn. Actually more like 30k but it was a great encore.
7.31.98 Columbus, Ohio
Punch You In The Eye
Slave To The Traffic Light
Two of my favorite Phish songs. One to jack me up and one to send me into the night with a smile.
Each appeared under ten times total in the encore slot – very memorable/downright dandy to get both the same night.
My favorite Phish encore was 12/29/98, The Divided Sky. What a wonderful way to end a fantastic show with too many highlights to mention. The encore left me fulfilled and sublimely happy after a show and a great year of Phish.
my answer ?
08/09/1998
The VA Beach Amp was one of my least favorite places, for a number of reasons… so some of my friends decided to skip this show.
This encore, was perhaps one of the more ‘polarizing’ ones i’ve seen as it was apparent from some peoples faces, that perhaps they weren’t ready for what they just realize was coming…
others, like myself, were elated, and so so happy… in a day before my cellphone, when i didn’t have to call 20 people and tell them the news, it was an amazing moments to just smile away, with my (long lost) tour buddy Cliff…
I miss the summer of 1998.
Gotta be 8.9.98 – Terrapin Station
IMO nothing can match this encore.
The timing, the execution, and the overall EPICNESS of this song make it the most incredible Phish encore even though it’s not a Phish song. The roar of the crowd realizing what was happening is still ingrained in my head and brings chills when I go back there.
Honorable mention goes to 11.15.96 Mean Mr. Mustardpaug with John Popper…that dirty old man
3/01/03 First Tube>YEM>Proud Mary
The gates dropped for Carolina so everyone was 15 ft closer. This was a life changing experience for me. I was starting to freak out during first tube, then all of the sudden, saved by the sweet melodies of YEM. And Trey f’d up the lyrics. Classic.
3.1.03
First Tube, YEM, Proud Mary
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h317/kwilsonm/PhishGreensboroEncore.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h317/kwilsonm/greensborostageview.jpg
I cannot pick an encore that i did not see live. Wow, this is a very hard choice.
I am going to go with the epic Possum encore from Nov. 30th, 1996 capped off an incredible show for me (see setlist). I know it is just one song which might be a strange pick. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder John McCuen joined the band as did Peter Apfelbaum on saxophone. Go Listen – they even mention how epic it was on mockingbird site.
Also 12-30-97 which was already mentioned was great but since it has, I go with the above.
Carini -> Black-Eyed Katy -> Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley, Frankenstein
Worst Encore with the most build up – October 6, 2000
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
W/ Bob Weir – El Paso, Chalk Dust Torture > West L.A. Fadeaway
Next nite made up for it with the YEM encore.
4-3-98 I know its been said. but, after that crazy carini infused antelope, you had to know they would bring the heat in the encore. And they did. Carini and what I thought was the final song Halley’s Comet, but no! the Phish instantly lands on the opening riff of Tweezer Reprise and the whole crowd goes nuts – what an unexpected song. best tweezer reprise ever.
Terrapin Station – 8/9/98.
First time played (Grateful Dead cover; for the third anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s death; Trey sang.
I’ve heard many people knock this. They probably got to see the Dead 250 times. The crowd response at the opening notes gives me chills.
Only time i’ve walked out of a show to a silent, reflective parking lot.
joel,
what about “Tweeprise” show @ Finger Lakes?
(almanac’s ‘worst show ever’)
and ace, what happened to
I’m gonna pick any one of the five — count ’em — five Wading in the Velvet Sea encores I caught post-hiatus. Wait, how many did they even play after the break? That’s right, only five. You mean to tell me I saw every single fucking Velvet Sea encore they played after the break? Nice luck, Ace.
Anyway, I’m loving the different encore choices here. Great thread.
It’s gotta be 8/2/97 Harry Hood
1st show at the Gorge. Band and crowd were perfectly synched and had just made the journey through an awe-inspiring second set. Disease>tweezer>diseasejam>sparkle>jb.goode>wading>loving cup
there really was only 1 song that needed to be played to give the show absolute legendary status – Harry Hood.
They played an incredible version, even turning off all the lights for everyone to enjoy the star-filled night before slamming things home.
I was speechless, even today it brings me chills…the best encore I ever saw.
10/17/96: GOLGI!!!
First and last time this song was ever performed live. I remember after the show everyone was talking about the sick GOLGI! People even made t-shirts that said 10/17/96: GOLGI!!!
After the midnight-to-sunrise Big Cypress set, with the gorgeous sunrise all around us (bookending the gorgeous sunset from the night before), my favorite encore was no encore. “Here Comes the Sun” over the PA as we silently walked back to camp, with our memories as the encore.
8/12/98 First show ever, at a racetrack, Amazing sunset behind the stage. Burning (vernon) down the house! followed by a YEM with who’s your daddy vocal Jam. Band was locked in and i Was officially a phishhead for life. Talking heads,zepplin,zz top in one show!
7/24/98 Character Zero
I was in the lawn section rubbing weiners with an 8 year old when they busted into Character Zero for the encore. I came twice during that jam.
I think that final encore, where Trey finally revealed the key for Curtain With was my favorite.. It was like one of those guitar instructional videos come to life.. “This ones in E Flat”.. ok, low blow..
favorite encore for me personally was GTBT 12/29/97… just gotten into the band and to pull off crossroads earlier and then to end with a zepp tune.. well, needless to say, i was sold.
Phish’s greatest encore generally boils down to 3 choices: Vegas 96, MSG 12/30/97 & Alpine 7/24/99. While I was not in attendance at Vegas ’96, I was fortunate enough to be at the other 2. So I will now capture why 7/24/99 was my favorite in poem form.
Those sets were so weird with its highs and lows
Please leave us with an encore to remember the show.
That drum beat, those keyboards, it can only be Glide!
This song is glorius as that what it reads on my sign.
We must be near the end cause it’s running late.
Here comes that Tweezer Reprise, but wait
Is that the funky throw down of a camel walk?
“Sure is,” says the wook next to me in a jibberish talk
But wait my unshowered friend. What could this be?
As the place erupted with cheer and with glee.
Another bustout in the form of Alumni Blues.
With such a treat we must surely be through.
Finally Mike drops the bomb and Tweeprise echoes out
Smiles shine in the darkness and people still shout
Phish knew their encores and people kept a tally,
But my favorite remains that July night in Alpine Valley.
7/1/00, WMGGW. My Dad went to his first show with me on Lennon’s death date, 12/8/99, and I figured the boys would do a Beatles tune. No dice, but the next show we both went to, they busted it out, a relative rarity by 2000. Dad got me into the Beatles and I got him into Phish, so it was truly musical life coming full circle.
7/24/99
Glide, Camel Walk, Alumni Blues Tweeprise
While this show itself was good, it isn’t in my great category but this encore was strong enough to change everything that happened for the previous 3 hours. As most Phish fanatics do, I found myself chasing certain rare songs after a long time of seeing shows. So when Glide began, that was enough for me…I would have been happy and considered this a personally momentus night…but to have it followed by Camel Walk (the top of my chase list) was certainly a treat beyond treats…but it doesn’t stop there…they went ahead and played the first Alumni in over a decade and went ahead and finished the encore with the best adrenaline packed 2 minutes in rock n’ roll…tweezer reprise.
I am some one who normally is against encores. For this type of music I would much rather see a second set extended for that 20 minutes then a band come back out and attempt to find some exploratory space in a short period of time…but this is the exception to the rule. There may have been more intensity packed in this encore than some other full sets and I was greatful for every minute of it…and it was Alpine…nuff said!
Like others have stated, it would only be fair to mention encores for shows that I personally attended. My choice(s) would have to be:
1)Sabotage 8/8/98 – The most energy I have ever experienced at a Phish concert, both from the crowd and coming from the stage. With the success of this monster version at Merriweather, the band would go on to attempt Sabotage on two other occasions and never come close to explosion of the first take. There is a point in the song where it fades out completely and the crowd is going bananas to show the band their approval….and unexpectedly the intro starts up again the boys let loose with the scream section and go back in for another round of total awesomeness.
2) Terrapin Station 8/9/98 – Contrasted with the explosion of Sabotage from the night before, this encore started with the quietest flutter of notes that slowly sunk in as the epic Terrapin Station. It took some time, but the crowd finally became aware of what they were witnessing. The band had finally decided to pay homage to the Grateful Dead and chose to do so with one of their masterpieces.
Out of my 176 shows I would have to say that I don’t have a favorite because encore means the show is over and that is never a good feeling. However, I really loved when they encored w/ Terrapin Station in Virginia Beach.
I would have to go The Curtain from Coventry. Not because it rocked; it didn’t. Not because Trey played it awesome; he didn’t. But because I could then go home, burn my clothes and begin seaking therapy for walking ten fucking miles to a mud bowl packed full of trustfundafarians.
Vernon Downs 8/12/98. Trey strummed a few notes and I turned to my buddy to say “Is that the Talking Heads” moments later they went into a fierce Burning Down the House followed up with one of the best versions of You Enjoy Myself I have ever heard. So Aweome!
Well, i wanted to choose an encore from a show I attended, and one of the sickest encores i ever witnessed was from 7/24/99 in Alpine Valley.
I got kicked out of the show, for taking photos of trey from the 2nd row (with a professional SLR camera). Wound up sneeking back in for the very end of set two and the encore, with perfect time to retrieve my taping equipment from the ‘section’ at the end of the show. Other tapers had seen what happend during fluffhead (me getting kicked out) and they would have taken care of my DAT for me… but yeah, this has got to be one of the best phish encores of all time:
Glide
Camel Walk
Alumni Blues
Tweezer Reprise
honorable mention goes to 11/29/97 from Worcester MA
Best tix mail order ever gave me, 4th row center right in front of trey. the 50 minute runaway jim was one for the record books, and took me somewhere into orbit. they managed to still bang out a full set, even though they had just spaced out for an hour… after a brief encore break they came back to deliver this
Buffalo Bill> Moby Dick> Fire
WOW!
so many great moments from this band…
again, WTF happened to
less than 50 words?
my favorite attended encore was also my last show: deer creek 6/24/2004. The night before had been disappointing for me at the time (although the tapes tell a different story), but 6/24 rocked out. Loving Cup opener. Squirming Coil Encore. Page’s piano outro always reminds me of Loving Cup, and this particular one was particularly cup-prise-esque. Plus, it was fitting that everyone just sort of wandered offstage one by one for my final show.
My favorite is the 12/29/03 Miami double encore of Waste and The Squirming Coil. I had been chasing a Coil encore for about 7 years and my friend at the show had really been wanting to hear Waste. My buddy got totally pumped when the band started Waste and it was a very solid rendition. The band left the stage and absolutely shocked us by coming back for Coil. The crowd erupted and I totally freaked out myself. Finally got my Coil encore and it came quite unexpectedly on the only second encore I have ever seen the band play.
2Nov.94.
Trey explained how the Bangor Auditorium was on the same road(Route 2) as Nectar’s and the band had been playing on that very road for 11 years. A superb acoustic Foreplay/Longtime and electric Tweezer Reprise sent the crowd stepping “into the freezer” with great admiration.
Well, my favorite encore was at coventry. Most people did not enjoy the show due to alot of flubbs, but to have the band practically open and close their careers with the song Curtain just miles from where it was written is just amazing, simply amazing. The moment that curtain began I realized that this was it, the curtain was closing, time for all of us to take this peak of life and apply it to the mondane. TO be the children of the light, and to take all we have learned and plant those seeds in everyone we meet.
All my favorites, musically, have been mentioned. When it comes to emotional though, I have to go with The Curtain (With) at Coventry. The Curtain was the first Phish song I ever heard live. While Trey gave an emotional speech about things coming full circle, I turned to my friend and said, “They’re about to play The Curtain.” Sure enough, when those opening notes rang through the night I got tears in my eyes. Everything had come full circle for me as well. My first Phish song had become my last as well. I didn’t hear a songle one of the “flubs” that everyone talks about, or the messed up key. I just stood there and felt all the joy that those four on stage had given me over the years.
anyone got any doses?
My favorite encore was 7/16/99. Bruce Springsteen came out to sing Born to Run! We really thought it was him, it was one of my first shows so I wasn’t up on all the antics. We didn’t figure out it was Tom Marshall until afterwards in the lot.
Tuesday’s Gone woods was good and Burnin Down Yem vernon
8-14-04–the curtain with
not for nothing, this was the last song i ,and many thousands of people, saw the boys play.
oops–8-15
I have to go with 8/2/97 at The Gorge. The band plays a real heady Hood, about 20 minute long….also very cool when Trey goes to Kuroda..”Hey Chris, kill the lights for a sec so we can get that outdoor vibe.” Nothing like jamming under the stars. This is definitely up there for me.
Also, gotta love 12/30/97…Carini-> Black-Eyed Katy-> Sneakin’Sally Through the Alley-> Frankenstein
7/24/99 Alpine Valley
Glide
Camel Walk
Alumni Blues
Tweezer Reprise
I don’t know, totally random song selection. What a way to end the night. Alpine was totally rockin’ during that extended encore!
12-29-98 – Divided Sky. This was my first show, and I knew absolutely nothing about the band. Though standing in the aisle amidst a sea of twirling heads during the middle section of this beautiful (and my personal favorite) song, I knew I had found my place in the world….
5/02/92
The boys close out a sick show at Caberet Metro with BBFCM, featuring Trey jumping from the stack and Mike on his knees. Classic, high energy 1992 Phish.
8/12/98 – Burning Down the House and YEM
1. 4/3/98 Nassau -Carini, Halley’s Comet, Tweeprise
No doubt, Trey doing the strut is something I will never forget. Long Island was on fire during this encore.
2. 12/9/95 Cleveland – Come Together, A Day in the Life
15th anniversary of Lennon’s death, the boys pay tribute in the city of rock & roll. Leaving the Convocation center in a snow storm, after my first show, was special.
Hey who’s posting under my name at 7:41???
I’ll weigh in on this tomorrow.
12.12.97 Albany
So, after a lot of shows you got used to the quick, one song encore. Golgi, Cavern, Fire, Zero, Loving Cup, etc…
So it was nice to hear a long song like Guyute! But, Guyute was in heavy rotation in late 97 so half the crowd left the Pepsi Arena on 12.12.97 at the start of the encore. Guyute finished and those of us lucky enough to stick around got a raging Antelope! So unexpected!
I saw Phish a hundred times, Guyute –> Antelope was the best encore that I can recall. Thanks, TS
I love wearing panties!! BTW who are the phish?
07/12/00 Deer Creek, Noblesville, IN
After a raging weekend with Phish, they treated us to this ‘gem’ of an encore on the final night.
Wouldn’t you believe it, Wading in the Velvet Sea… I mean, Wading in the Velvet fucking Sea!
Worst moment for many, best moment for me, just to see my friends faces!
Pure and simple…8/9/98 Terrapin Station. Trey and Page were trying to decide which dead song to cover…and they arrived on this one. Hearing the honesty and pure beauty of Trey singing Terrapin and just having the raw energy of Phish blaring this wonderful song makes it #1 in my book.
The first Sabotage at Merriweather 98 was a huge surprise. A direct quote heard from the exiting mob sums it up, “That could only happen because of TREY!”
It was a magic night, and minds were blown after Phish ROCKED the Beasties classic, leaving ALL READY for more Summer 1998.
12-29-98 Madison Square Garden falls right within the many great 12-29 shows and the encore from that night was nothing short of being the perfect capstone for that evening. Right during the opening notes to that Divided Sky, everyone around had that “holy shit” :::::high fives all around::::: moment. Phish, in the Garden, on a holiday run, Divided encore? hell yeah.
nocdoc, I was at that camden show and i agree! I’ve never heard the YEM refferred to as the “confidence YEM” though? Anybody wanna help educate? seens a whole bunch of yems, and for post hiatus, that one wasn’t that bad… sort of like summer “03
11/15/98
Murfreesboro, TN
Rocky Top
My first show in home state of TN where song is extra special.
I would say without a doubt their cover of Jimi Hendrix’s Fire at The Hampton Coliseum on 11-25-95.
I mean, the 6 shows I saw that tour (4 in FL, 1 in Pittsburgh, and ending in Hampton) were amazing and Hampton’s Fire Encore pretty much summed up Phish in 95 and the mini run I did. The band was FIRE that tour!
Just like their songs played live, they were building up for something better (96, then 97, etc).
That whole Hampton show was so incredible and a great end to such a fun run.
It’s a part of my life I will always remember and be thankful I did. I’ll never look back and regret it.
Phish just tore up the Coliseum that night and sent the “Mothership” off properly.
My jaw drops just looking at that 2nd set and remembering how amazing it was. From the 2nd set opener of Timber> Kung into Mike’s Song> Keyboard Army> Mike’s Song. I LOVED that Keyboard Army. It was my 1st and only one. I could go on and on about how they blew my mind up til that point, then soothed it with I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome and Strange Design. Then back comes the fun and great jamming during Weekapaug and Hood. Oh how I love a good Hood! Then slowing it down with the slower version Poor Heart leaving you to think they were going to wind it down a little with the encore.
But nope. Phish did what they did best. Left me wanting more and more!
They came back on stage and totally rip it up playing Hendrix’s Fire.
I rocked out that night and was again mystified over such a fantastic group of musicians that played so tight. Not only were they tight as a band, but as friends at that point (or so it seemed). They were up there doing what they loved and were having a good time and the shows and crowd’s reaction to it all just proved that.
4.3.98: Carini > Halley’s, Tweeprise is just about as awesome as encore’s get. Carini brings the harder rock style of phish and it just plain rips. This juxtaposition with halleys is great, a whimisical, fun tune to dance and sing along with. Then Tweezer Reprise. Do I really need to explain this tune? The energy combined with the rising/building action is simply unmatched.
7/24/99. One of the most debated shows ever but it also had the best encore. Glide was a treat at the time, 6th Camelwalk in 10 years, 1st full Alumni Blues since 91, and a sick Tweeeprise, taboot. What more could you ask for?
July 2nd, 1997 – The Paradiso, Amsterdam
Encore 1: Free
Encore 2: David Bowie
In my opinion, the best encore doesn´t need to have a whole slew of songs, rarities, interesting covers, or debuts. While these things are definite bonuses, I believe the best encore simply needs to include one of the best played versions of one or two classic Phish tunes. This encore fits perfectly. One of the best versions of Free, followed by Bowie. There´s nothing like that feeling of the band returning to the stage after the first encore, because that is the ultimate sign of a special show.
I had been seeing shows since ’94, but Alpine ’98’s encore totally lit the place up.
Starting off with Glide, a song I hadn’t seen live, big smiles permeated the giant outdoor amphitheater.
When Camel Walk begun, another song i had yet to see live, everybody there was going downtown to the disco and a full on dance party broke out.
As Camel Walk gave way to yet another song I had yet to see live, Alumni Blues, I knew I was alright.
I can still see the whole pavilion fist pumping to the, “He’s alright” lyric.
Cap it all off with a monster Tweezer Reprise and I felt like doing cart-wheels all the way to Deer Creek.
I’ll also never forget the dude in front of me who kept turning around with his jaw on the ground each time they started a new song.
Nobody could believe they were playing another song and another song, not to mention the selection.
“I had no hat on my head and no shoes on my legs…”
7/6/2000 Squirming Coil, Hey maybe not the best encore ever but at the time it was for me. As Page began the outro and the sun finished setting over that beautiful Toronto skyline one of those moments were your standing there absorbing everything. An amazing end to a perfect birthday.
11/9/98 UIC pavilion – Encore: Frankenstein, Freebird
not the longest encore nor the most experiemental but a great finish to a three day run. After the short and sweet frankenstein, the boys came center stage and asked the crowd “what song is it you want to hear” in a moments time 11,000 people simutaneously screamed “FREEBIRD”. EPIC!
I would have to go with Vernon Downs in the summer of ’98. What a monster of a show for me. I love all the covers and the Mike’s in the second set made for an awsome set. But the Burning down the house for this TH fan was incredible, and if that was not enough the YEM vocal Jam that came next was one of my favs.
7/13/00 “Great Woods” Mansfield Mass.
Encore = “Tuesdays Gone” w/ Scott Murawski of Max Creek.
A classic meeting representing a classic song. A sentimental New England connection between friends. There was no better place on the planet to spend a Tuesday night !
8/2/03
Dog Log, Mango Song ….. Tower Set?
Ok, so the tower jam really doesn’t count as an encore, but the Dog Log, Mango encore was pretty memorable. The band came out for the encore, and didn’t immediately bust out a predetermined tune. Instead, Trey explained that they were trying not to plan anything that tour and they were just going to sit there until something happened. Then they busted out a steamy Dog Log followed by one of my favs, mango song.
07/24/99 Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
Encore: Glide, Camel Walk, Alumni Blues, Tweezer Reprise
Following a much approved Glide which was only played once in 1999, this encore held the unexpected resurrection of Alumni Blues only played in 1988 prior to the show. The rarely played Camel Walk also preceded this bustout and closed out with Tweezer Reprise which concluded the monster Tweezer>Catapult from earlier in the show.
7/13/00 “Great Woods” Mansfield Mass.
Encore = “Tuesdays Gone” w/ Scott Murawski of Max Creek.
A classic meeting representing a classic song. A sentimental New England connection between friends. There was no better place on the planet to spend a Tuesday night !
07/24/99 Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
Encore: Glide, Camel Walk, Alumni Blues, Tweezer Reprise
Following a much approved Glide which was only played once in 1999, this encore held the unexpected resurrection of Alumni Blues only played in 1988 prior to the show. The rarely played Camel Walk also preceded this bustout and closed out with Tweezer Reprise which concluded the monster Tweezer>Catapult from earlier in the show.
^^^^^Hahahaha busted out a “steamy” dog log
This may not be the “best” encore but I always loved how they ended 9/30/00 with “A Day in the Life” and encored with “Emotional Rescue” after annoucing they’d be going on hiatus.
In my mind it was a great statement… something to the effect of… We came to vegas, destroyed it, told you we were talking a break and coming back better than ever before and then closed the show by playing two songs by the greatest rock bands ever.
It basically said to me, if you thought these two bands were great, you ain’t seen nothing yet…
(This is not intended to started a “Phish is/was better than the Beatles or the Stones… and I personally don’t think that’s the case” – I just thought it was a ballsy way to go out).
Just to mix it up a little I’m gonna go with a sleeper of a show…11/11/98 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids. What’s better than a last minute road trip to see Phish on a cold Wednesday evening…not F’n much.
E: Contact, Rocky Top, Funky Bitch
in order to sift through all the comments here and pick a winner…..first eliminate everyone that used more than 50 words, then eliminate anyone that has unfactual info ie: last alumni was 88, or last golgi was 96
this is an epic HT blog entry as it has most comments ever
10/17/96: GOLGI!!!
First and last time this song was ever performed live. I remember after the show everyone was talking about the sick GOLGI! People even made t-shirts that said 10/17/96: GOLGI!!!
I know someone probably said it before but my favorite encore was no encore in Big Cypress. Just the calming “Here comes the Sun” playing on the PA made me happy.
The answer is clear….Phish´s final appearance at Hampton Colliseum. They added the show to the ´04 tour three weeks before they played there. The mind bending David Bowie encore. And that was after a 10 song second set that inlcuded lifeboy. First David Bowie encore since ´97, and only the 5th one in Phish history. Thats how you say farewell to Phish…
well, for my money, 12/13/97 was an all around sick show. solid ya mar opener, a cruising first set with tube and GTBT closer, but 2nd set was the heat – a long mike’s groove, BRING ON THE DUDE action, lights off during hood, and a mysoul/coil encore. my first show and typically the first one i put in the car for any sort of a trip
“We are the Phish from Vermont…thank you very much!”
First Tube>Moby Dick>Chalkdust Torture Jam (aka Baby Chalkdust) 7-11-00
The 6th Moby Dick seqway of the evening left myself and many phriends with the biggest sh!t eating grins we have ever experienced! To date…the Best Encore!
If you missed it “READ THE BOOK!”
The 2/25/03 Squirming Coil > Character Zero came on the eve of the one year anniversary of my Grandmother’s death. I had never heard my favorite song (Coil) live before. As the band returned to the stage I could almost feel my grandmother telling the band to play it. Tears streamed down my face as memories of her danced in my head. Then the Zero made me feel electric, a feeling I had never felt before and will never feel again.
Wow… I love Phish (I saw them 6 or 7 times), but Damn! Who can compete with you guys?!
🙂
12/31/95 – Sure, Johnny B Goode is somewhat standard, but this was my second show and there is a point where Trey just nails a peak and at that moment, the place spontaneously erupts…a pure communal event between the band and the crowd. It was at that point, that I “got it.”
I took a friend of mine to his first show on 12-17-99. Towards the end of Squirming Coil he asked if it was the last song and I said “Yeah, this is the second song of the encore and they almost never do three songs.” Sure enough, as soon as I said that they busted into Loving Cup.
my favorite encore was certainly 8/8/98. i know it seems like the general vibe here. however, the moment that trey began the first notes a wave of excitement, fear, amazment, uneasiness, and realization roared over the entire crowd. the band playing the song was epic, but being amonst the emotions of some beautiful friends was truly a turning point in phish world. we cried, we smiled, we embraced. the first public/musical nod to the pioneers of what phish was carrying on was expressed. a truly pivitol and emotional encore engraving a extremely touching memory in phishstory
My favorite Phish encore is 1.01.2000, Here comes the sun, no encore was needed all was proved, but Paul post show music choice was so apt. I can not here this tune and not think about that sunrise in the Florida Swamps!
7.6.2000
My first show. Squirming Coil -Watching the boys exit the stage one by one- leaving Page by himself playing the outro. I get the chills whenever I think about it. Y’all know what I’m talking about
12/12/97 – Guyute, Antelope
For two reasons….One, I love the encore that consists of phish tunes, not covers. Two, it was Guyute and Antelope with great execution. A great combination of composition and energy. It was rockin’!
P.S.- Plus it was at the Knick!!
4-3-98: Carini>Halley’s>Tweeprise…
This is Phish to me. Some goofiness and fun (Carini antics from night, Halley’s), high energy (Tweeprise), and the itch and guessing game of what is to come the next night(finishing with Tweeprise this night and starting with Tweezer the next).
8/9/98 – Terrapin (VA Beach)
First time played and on the 3rd anniversary of Jerry’s death made it a real somber moment and officially the torch was passed.
The second night of Deer Creek in 1998 was rather raucous. I feel as if a good show can be brought to a whole new level, with a stellar encore. This show had that. The When the Circus was gorgeous and fed right into an out of control Antelope. 25 minutes or so of fantastic music brought this summer evening to a glorious close.
so who wins?
lots of good choices out there.
tough choice, aye?
oh and who sits on the judges panel?
paula and randy?
10-16-94 Chatanooga TN.
This Fall tour will always have a special place in my heart. I was a junior in college…but not for long, because doing 2/3 of this tour certainly had something to do with being politely asked to leave the university…anyhoo, I digress. I had seen a decent amount of shoes prior to this and many more after, but this encore stands out in a tour of nightly surprises. I was touring with my buddy Jimmy and it was his birthday…all he talked about show after f’ing show was how much he wanted a Harpua on his birthday. It really became an oppressive issue in the car between shows. It was a solid show, 2nd set Fluffhead…superific! Well they encore with Highway to Hell…leave the stage, and as I remember, the house lights went up for a minute, and then went Black! Everyone turned toward the stage, they came back out…then of course oompapa oompapa…My friend shits himself with excitement, and we close the book on another unrelenting night on Fall Phish Tour ’94.
I mean is there really a question as to which stands alone as the “best” encore!?!? All one has to do is look at 7/28/98 and the uncovering and uncorking of Camel Walk followed by Coil. A stellar show throughout but to touch down in Kansas and unleash the beast following what had transpired was simply magical.
i’m going to change my choice to Divided Sky from Brooklyn. Never heard them jam like they did for that song. Anyone know if it appears on an album?
I guess if you consider it an encore the last song from Big Cypress Midnite->Sunrise Set. Meatstick. They started the show with Meatstick & end with Meatstick. So we all listened to just one big Meatstick. CLASSIC!
what was the show where they encored with ??>Rocky Top?
secret smile!…. no no no, I joke….. my favorite was the Sneakin’ Sally > vocal jam from Vegas ’04…. got everyone pumped up for the next night, and c’mon, it’s Sneakin’ Sally!!… it’s either that one, or the Harryhood from my first show in ’00… it was my favorite song at the time, and it was absolutely glorious
7.11.2000
First Tube > Moby Dick>Chalkdust Reprise
We are “The Phish” from Vermont…..Thank You very much!!!
8/8/98- Merriweather- SABOTAGE
Flew in from CO-My buddy got us FRONT row SURPRISE!!- next to Gordon. Fishman does an entertaining “Sexual Healing”. Set ends with the “Hood” in great 1998 style and the crowd is simmering. Crowd erupts to “Sabotage” and people are getting passed in a mosh pit. Everyone was buzzing about it in the lots!!
6/11/94- Red Rocks- Frankenstein/ Suzie-encore
Stirring up memories! Suzie was the encore, but it was the Frankenstein SHOCKER to end the 2nd set. I just remember the look on my buddies face- pure estonishment. We were buzzing when the capped it with SUZIE.
5.21.94 Moore Theatre Seattle, WA “Bold as Love”
Someone there had a big sign asking, BOLD AS LOVE FOR JIMI? Sure enough, Trey says, “We’ve been looking at that sign all night, and we’re gonna play it. We can’t play every sign, but we really want to play that song right now.” Then the boys tore it up, by request.
7/11/2000 Deer Creek
First Tube > Moby Dick > Chalkdust Torture Jam
We are the Phish from Vermont!!!!
favorite encore? easy. 12/30/97. lucykatiesallyfrank.
Tweezer Reprise.
A bunch of slamdancing hairy armpit chicks smelling up the joint. Kaboom! Could be intense with the right psychotropics. Yarg.
My favorite Phish encore is from Virginia Beach, VA, on August 9, 1998. After doing Raleigh and Atlanta we were very excited for this show, we knew what the date signified, not only for Phish and their fans, but for us few in our little group of friends. When Trey first struck the chords to Terrapin Station the thoughts that went through my mind were of nothing but pure joy. It had been 12 years since Phish last played a Grateful Dead song, and the show this night was 3 years to the day that Jerry died. This was Phish’s way of paying homage, and completing the cirle. They were no longer in the shadow of the Dead, and could show their admiration by playing one the their heroe’s songs with pride. As for us, at midnight, about 1/2 hour after the show, I turned the shining age of 21. What an encore, what a night indeed. Thank you Phish, thank you my family.
8/8/98 – SABOTAGE – probably the greatest unattached 5 min. ever in my Phish ‘career’. How hard can a small group of white boys rock? I’d reckon, this hard. The best part was the BBoyz website commenting on how ‘Those hippie bastards covered Sabotage’. priceless!
The event of Big Cypress 1/1/00 required no encore at all. However the beginning notes of Hood for a second time this eve was that moment when the sun had risen and this dream-like state we all were encompassed ended with a moment of second thoughts (huh…what?),second guesses, and the fab 4 became human again after a sublime performance.
can i have 2 pick? thanks
my second pick is the Casey Jones encore at Alpine 2005. My buddies just gave me this tape and i couldnt believe how much they sounded like the Dead! I could have sworn it was Bobby and Jerry singing. anyway, its good to have great friends.
11/30/1995 Dayton, Ohio – Nutter Center
This Harry Hood is incredible, not only as a song on it’s own, but especially for closing this show! The 2nd set of this show was INSANE and the energy leading up to the encore was over the top. When Fishman started the tune, the arena went nuts and you knew that this show was going to be the best one of the year…That is until 12/31 at MSG! But I digress. You can feel good about this being the closer of all closers when you hear the crowd singing those final lyrics and everyone has a smile on their face and everyone is content with their boogie…all is well in Phish World.
8.12.98 Vernon Downs Burning (Vernon?) Down the House, YEM. what a great way to end up the “regular” part of the Summer of Covers tour 98, leading up to the LEMONWHEEL. Another random first time cover (and a good one at that) and then a encore appearance of one of their greatest and favoritest songs…what’s not to love. Add in a Mission Impossible theme tease in the jam, and a hilarious “Who’s Your Daddy” vocal jam (whenever they make fun of Fish it’s good times) and you have my favorite encore I had a chance to see
hey scotty g – I think you are mistaken about the axis sign in seattle.
the dude was right in front of me in binghamton 95, i believe, and he did indeed have a “bold as love’ sign.
trey uttered those exact words and thus, the encore-axis.
can someone back me up on this? please!!!! unless the boys did it twice.
but seriously. the asshole with that sign was bumping into me w/ it all night so I sure as hell remember it in binghamton.
please confirm setlist geeks.
DID THIS INDEED HAPPEN TWO TIMES? THE EXACT SAME THING?
i THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BINGHAMTON. CONFIRMATION?
I’m gonna go with Terrapin Station in VA Beach – 8/9/98. Such an awesome night. Smokin show. The sky that night was incredible. On the 5th year anniversary of Jerry’s passing, they close with Terrapin Stn. The Place just goes absolutely nuts…man i miss the boys
7-24-99 Alumni-Tweezer Reprise YouTube video
7-24-99 Glide-Camel Walk YouTube video (click ktb)
7-24-99 Chalkdust Torture YouTube video
07-12-1996 Johnny B. Goode
Those damn hippies played Amsterdam for the very first time and they had sampled the spoils of mother nature in a big way. And so had 99% of the audience, leaving the few Dutchmen including yours truly in the Milky Way feeling a bit out of place.
I was standing next to some dorks from Jersey who had never heard of Chuck Berry. So I told them. Really fucking loud. And of those jerks goes: “O right yeah like that’s a “Back To The Future” song”. I regret to this day that I did not hit him then.
6/13/97 Dublin, Ireland
Stand>Izabella, first time played for each, one and only time Stand has been played, with the exception of the 4th Ball at Brad Sands’ house, which this show closely resembles.
Not only the tour opener, but the start of the era of funk.
Best I’d probably go with 12-30-97, a double dose of rock (Carini, Frankenstein) and funk (Sally, BEK).
The worst was 10/6/00, what a train wreck, thanks Bobby! 😛
Well my one of my favs has to be 7/11/00, the moby dick show. First tube, into moby which turned into chalkdust torture reprise. They had so much fun and you could see it. Awesome night
7/11/00, the moby dick show. First tube, into moby which turned into chalkdust torture reprise. They had so much fun and you could see it. Awesome night
Oh and “we are the Phish from vermont, thank you very much” was the best. It made my night
11/20/94 Dane County Coliseum – Madison, WI
E1: icculus
E2: fire
blew my mind
I know this has been mentioned before by tons of ya,but I have to agree(out of the 81 shows Ive saw)that 12-30-97 was a special show..those their felt it…The band and Audience where ONE…and the rules were broken that nite in NYC..but need to mentioned the next night encore,Totally off the wall unexpected,and wrapped it all together.
“I hope that’ll happen once again”
peace,pauly
Although all of the above are worthy, my favorite Phish encore was not played by the band….The Beatles “Here Comes the Sun” over the PA after an epic 7 hr set at Big Cypress to usher in the new millenium was….PRICELESS!!
12-30-97 probably. Wasn’t there. 7-26-99 woodstock>julius is probably my favorite. After doing the last 5 nights of Summer ’99 and hearing about what went down at Woodstock ’99, this encore left me with a feeling I will never forget. We (Phish fans) are the greatest fans, and the boys told us so that night.
I heard people complaining about it in the lot on the next night, but my favorite was 9-29-00 when Kid Rock (after coming out for the end of the second set to sing “Walk This Way”, “Rapper’s Delight”, and “You Shook Me”), helped the boys rock it Vegas style with “We’re An American Band”!
7-3-99 double encore
First Fishman comes out to finish Little Drummer Boy by himself which was hilarious, then Page’s pops comes out ripping up a kazzoo solo to Bill Bailey while teach the boys and audience some fresh dance moves. The crowd errupts refussing to leave; the boys come back out to serinade us with a beautiful HOOD!! Perfection.
Best encore I seen was Fire – 2-6-93 at Roseland Ballroom with John Popper and Noel Redding…
Cold and snowing outside, but toasty warm inside. Popper was still in the wheelchair from his motorcycle accident but was tearing it up…
these were the good ol days of Phish…..
A mind blowin, keep it going, unexpected, TUBTHUMPING of an encore.
12/30/97
Does it get anymore special than a curfew-breaking, 4-song encore?
The encore concluded with some classic Phish chaos using an unlikely musical vehicle – “Frankenstein.” Strobe lights and fog machines continued during an extended digital delay loop. Glowsticks were everywhere. Trey & Fishman did a hilarious, semi-choreographed dance. Fishman sucked on his Electrolux for dear life. Simply incredible!
The best encore was 12-8-1995 at the CSU Convocation Center in Cleveland. It was my first show and they encored with The Beatles “Come Together” (first and only time played) and “A Day In The Life” in honor of the 15th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder. Very moving. Peace.
06-06-96
Joyous Lake, Woodstock, NY
E: Ya Mar, Fire
“The Third Ball” treated some lucky Woodstock locals to an intimate show with some very raw playing, which was a fantastic trip back to the boys’ bar band days. This Yamar is special b/c it lacks Trey screaming for Leo to “play it,” and Trey’s solo on Fire is especially blistering. If you played this encore for most hardcore phans, they’d probably guess it was from a ’92 show!
12/11/99
possum encore. had seen it plenty of times before, never loved it. this night made me respect it for the rest of time. all fall down language was a first for me that one special night.
that show changed my life, and the possum encore solidified my love for phish forever
i was too high to remember most of the shows i have been to, but i rememebr i had a blast i wish i could see all the shows i have been too in a video of that quality
50 words to sum up the perfect encore in my eyes:
Shoreline 2000 was supposed to be the end of Phish. For the final show before the indefinite hiatus, the hype was outrageous. Alas, there were no guests, crazy covers, or third set–just the songs that made Phish great. And the closing song, the band’s defining anthem: You Enjoy Myself.
The best encores may well be the ones that make you so crazy that you’re left confused about what just happened to you…12-30-97! At one point, Trey yelled “Happy New Year!” and I’m telling you, the energy was so high that we all paused for a half-second, thinking, “It’s New Year’s Eve!” And I wasn’t high; just swept away by the Bad Lt.’s energy, as usual!
I’ve made people listen to that show since, and they’ve pointed out lots of technical errors…I think they’re just jealous that they missed that encore! All-time favorite! (sorry about the 50 words – not enough to explain my heroes!)
8-9-98. Phish finally rediscovering the grateful Dead. And they didnt go the easy way, playing the beautiful and complicated Terrapin Station. “Inspiration” is an understatement. The guitar transition was flawless, and most imortantly the roar of the crowd from the first not still sends chills down my spine. my single greatest concert moment ever.
12-30-97 without a doubt
Carini -> Black-Eyed Katy -> Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley (Reprise), Frankenstein
Now normally the setlist would speak for itself, but that’s not the case here. Besides breaking the curfew at MSG, which was notoriously tough to do, and playing late the night before a three set show, the band played the first Carini on American soil, funked the hell of one of their most pleasant 97′ funk Jams, reprised a song they hadn’t played prior to this night since 5-28-89 (!!!!), and to cap it all off they played one of the most bizarre Frankenstein’s of all time, complete with vaccum solos, and feigned fellatio.
Oh yeah, all this occured after a ludicrous 2nd set, complete with the UDDERBALL!
Venue Photograph
(Click picture to enlarge)
08/02/97 Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA
Set I: Theme from the Bottom, Ginseng Sullivan, Ghost, Dogs Stole Things, The Divided Sky, Wolfman’s Brother, Water in the Sky, Split Open and Melt
Set II: Down With Disease> Tweezer> Down With Disease> Johnny B Goode, Sparkle, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Loving Cup, Tweezer Reprise
Encore: Harry Hood1
1 Trey asks Chris to turn off the lights so the band can jam under the stars
Most sureal moment I have ever felt with Phish and it was first time they played at the Gorge. Best sumer tour ever
4/3/98, Carini>Halley’s>Tweezer Repr. The energy after the Antelope was like nothing I experienced in 95 shows, and you could taste the Carini coming after the references in Antelope. This was only the 2nd US verion of Carini, so it was still super fresh. Halley’s was unbelievably unexpected-what a score! But to throw in Tweezer Repr. with a seemless transition from Halley’s, in a Tweezer-less show, was what made this an “are you kidding me encore” and cemented this show’s legendary status.
My favorite encore was the second night of Red Rocks, 6/10/95. The debut of A Day in the Life. After two nights of bliss and a second set dominated by a monster Mike’s Groove, the famous venue just explodes as Page hits the familiar keys to open the song. 9500 phans sing along to a Beatles classic, at times drowning out the band’s state of the art sound system. After the final note hits, the guy next to me is hopping up and down yelling for another one. At that point, my thought was “Why mess with perfection?”. A perfect end to a perfect weekend
11/25/98 Something, Guyute, Freebird. This show is in my top 5. Also right before the encore they busted out caught stealin and llama. Honorable mention goes to my first show 6/23/95. They played my favorite Beetles song Day in the Life. Right before this was a Harpua with Popper on harmonica.
Most memorable encore for mw had to be the 95 summer tour ender in Sugerbush, VT on the basis of sheer energy and excitement. The band was just bursting with ideas and innovation; the crowd had that unbridled sense of comraderie as if to say “this is OUR scene”. The music went in every direction all at once. I remember a few fans had climbed up onto a ski lift chair 40 ft up and were rocking it to the beat as the first riffs of Simple blasted through the speakers…I remember thinking to myself ” WOW, this place is beautifully out of control”
7/20/98 – Sexual Healing, Halley’s Comet
____________________________________________________
Sand, sun, deep blue ocean, palm trees, and a sunset.
Traffic, lines, poopy port-o-lets, a dirt bowl and some dust.
Is Fish sexy? Halley healed us with her funky romp.
Quintessential PH from Vermont.
All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, Phish and I’m fine.
2/16/03
friday
now it is actually my least favorite but as it is my most memorable.
we were having a great vegas weekend and this just totally blew our minds why the band would end with this song.
then on the “small” trek back to the strip people were saying it made sense b/c it made it come full circle or some hocus pocus like that. wookies.
04/03/98—and not because of the song selection or “Carini’s gonna getcha.” I pick 04/03/98 simply because I asked my fiancee to marry me during setbreak of that show, she said yes, and the love we felt as those last notes of Tweeprize rang out is something words cannot express.
Jul.97, Austin, Tx.
The fact that Bouncing Around The Room was part of the encore made it the most memorable and enjoyable encore I have ever seen.
I would have to say that my favorite encore that I witnessed would have to be Vegas 09/30/2000. The song was The Rolling Stones, Emotional Rescue. Mike nailed the falsetto and the stage antics were incredible to say the least. This encore ended a fantastic two day run in Vegas!
Had to be…Carini
There ae always special encores that people believe are the best for a variety of reasons. I will always love Alpine 99, Glide Camelwalk Alumni and Tweeprise. However, Alpine 98 was just as spectacular. Ramble on opener into Mikes, Esther and Weekapaug left me speechless. But the encore, Been Caught Stealing (with trampolines no less) into Tweezer Reprise was absolutely nuts. In the words of Big Red himself,”Alpine is the greatest place to play music in the world”
Friday, July 16, 1999 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ Phish played Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen for the encore. Anything Springsteen gets anyone from Jersey fired up and this was no exception. Tom Marshall even busted out some Dancing in the Dark moves! Sadly, Courtney Cox was not in attendance to bring on stage.
11/13/94 – Erie, PA. Warner Theatre My 18th show. Never saw Funky Bitch. I was in the parking garage and watched as a guy drove in with a bike on top of his SUV…SMASH right into the top of the garage. I was enjoying a big balloon. In yelled in the deep, slow, loud voice associated with NO2. “They are going to play Fuuuunkkkkeeeey Biiiiiiiiiiitch”. I looked up unpleasantly surprised to see a PA State trooper who said. “Lose the balloon”. I got my first Funky that night at encore.
Haveing never seen Phish it is a bit difficult to comment they do appear to be interesting though.I will have to check them out someday.
GTBT IT 2003. with fireworks after giant glowstick war through mellow mood/yem/pebbles and marbles. doesn’t get better than chariots of fire with the race winners!!
also i can’t read all these. it makes me sad there is no more!!!!
Of the shows I went to, which were only post hiatus ones, 2-22-03 Suzy Greenberg and-or the Wading the previous night.
But the 11-27-98 Wipeout tease through the show ending w the Wading>Golgi>Wipeout has to be one of my favs. It is impossible to just name one, cause there are so many factors involved.
12/29/98 at Madison Square Garden–An Epiphanic Moment.
This blissful show contained a rare and beautiful Divided Sky encore. Quite emotional, I turned to my best friend to see tears also streaming down her face. I haven’t before or since felt as connected to my Phish partner, the band, other fans, or the universe as at that moment
Between Beale Street and the Missisippi River lies a giant pyramid, site of the Bad Lieutenant’s birthday celebration in 1999. A stellar show, start to finish, we were all waiting to yell, “Did I forget to mention MEMPHIS?” I found myself a city to live in that night.
So, who won already?
Don’t tell me that the Phish geek experts are slacking and/or high…
Winner to be announced on Tuesday
Best phish encore ever besides 12/6/96 would have to be 8/9/98 Terrapin Station on Jerry Garcia’s Birthday. They had been battling the Dead comparisons for years and had been trying to distance themselves. This Dead cover song was just a nod to their hero. A fitting tribute and it was very moving.
good contest
I know this is too late for the contest, but 11/2/98 was my favorite encore ever. I mean, what are you going to follow all of Dark Side of the Moon with? Why, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” of course. SICK!
Aren’t these girls Heather August and Anamieke Carrozza, aka the yodelers from the Vegas ’96 show?
Oops! I mean the girls in Motel Arizona on http://www.motelarizonamusic.com...
Yes, it was, indeed, the girls from Motel Arizona (us) in the 12/6/96 Vegas show…and thank you for noticing! Did you check out our website?
http://www.motelarizonamusic.com
We do acoustic vintage western folk/roots/jazz in harmony. We just released our first CD, so check it out!