Anticipation was shattered the second song of set two last night. The highly hoped for notes of “Tweezer” were not simply teased as they were during the first set “Gumbo” but sent in a rather wild manner, catapulting the sold-out Bill Graham Civic Center into a frenzy that only “Tweezer” can bring. But that was far from the only highlight of last night’s fifth stop on Phish’s Spring 2025 West Coast tour.
A barnburner start-to-finish, the band came out swinging last night, extending the energy from the previous night and their stellar first three shows in the Pacific Northwest. “Simple” is as versatile as a Phish song gets. Sometimes clocking in at only a few quick minutes, other times acting as an extended jam vehicle for deep Type-II improvisation, being selected as the first song of the night signaled that it was possibly in the building once again. A loose Bay Area groove was swiftly built as the band left the typical song structure and stretched this one over the 11-minute mark.
A highlight in itself, just before minute 12, the band dropped a murky psychedelic shift and ever so smoothly segued into “Punch You in the Eye”. The venue exploded! It was such a perfect transition; it’s not just a highlight from last night, but something to go back and listen to today that showcases this band’s unique and current brilliance. This version of another beloved tune had a more patient start to it, a trend that continued throughout the night. It felt open, loose, and took from the previous space in “Simple” in the best way. As “Punch” landed guitarist Trey Anastasio immediately led the band into “Gumbo”.
Another gritty, funky groove grew in layers while the band once again left the structure of the song and took “Gumbo” for a walk. Barely a half-hour into the show last night, and each band member had already stepped up and shinnied, especially notably here with keyboardist Page McConnell signaling the jam portion of the song after a ripping solo. The extended jam crystalized in a smooth ending pause just in time for a sharp turn to “Reba”. If you’re familiar with Phish, the first four songs are all old school favorites. The song selection felt deliberate, and the playing matched. The flow was on and after a beautiful “Reba” jam, the band offered a newer, although far less played song in “The Well”.
There were only three newer songs played last night that would not fall into the 1.0/core Phish material category. This was one of them. The placement fit, starting off with the light-hearted, fluffy first half of the song, before drummer Jon Fishman kicked off the dark portion of the tune into gear, eliciting more than one fan headbanging along from the bottom of the well.
As the song nears its composed ending, there’s room to explore. Based on what had been unfolding thus far during the first set, it seemed this would likely be another time to go off structure. There were a few opaque moments, but instead of going deep, Trey turned to Fishman to call in the start-up to “David Bowie”. Nothing near the dissolute versions sometimes played in modern Phish times, this “Bowie” smoked with a balance to the previously darker jam in “The Well” aligning a lighter lift that had the band completely leave the song structure once again, and land back fluidly to complete the song. They nailed it, choosing “Character Zero” to cap off an outstanding first frame.
Set and setting in check, a locked-in crowd, and trying to check expectancy from those in the know, “Sample in a Jar” continued the roots song selection to open set two before the aforementioned “Tweezer” took center stage. It deserves considerate relistening to visit the dynamic spaces explored during this standout 30+ minute version. It was as if several different songs played out, as can happen with this or any truly exploratory jam, and this one covered sonic ground in spades.
After 15 shows in this venerable building, and in the only Spring Tour venue with a sub-9k person capacity, you could feel the energy from wall-to-wall from start to finish with “Tweezer”. This is such a central theme of the recipe for what makes Phish so uniquely Phish, why so many have loved and followed the band for years, and why those that might not care too much for their music would still understand why they have garnered so many initial votes towards their impending Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Unity. A feeling when the band, venue, and crowd coalesce. It happens, and you never know when, or sometimes even if, this abstract cosmic plane is still possible. It happened last night. Multiple peaks, and Trey employing his original Languedoc guitar with an unmistakable tone, the various soundscapes of “Tweezer” fit in no particular box. This one is a masterpiece. A monster. Something no other band really pulls off quite like Phish.
The come down selection of “Lonely Trip” was spot-on. Everyone, band included so it seemed, needed a breather. Good thing because just like that, “Crosseyed and Painless” brought the room back into a full frenzy for another funked-out mind-altering spin. No song choice was wasted all night. This was about as perfect of placement as possible given the energy in the building all night, including the liftoff that was “Tweezer”.
“Crosseyed” seemed like it would keep charging forward with a steady drum from Fish and bass bombs from Mike, but the song dissolved fluidly into “Pillow Jets”. There wasn’t as much here in terms of musical travel, but the brief passage set up a nice pause for “You Enjoy Myself” to close out the set. Wow. An excellent way (possibly the best?) to bring the energy up one more time and officially sign the seal of approval for a magnificent show, regardless of era.
This band continues to push whatever limitations exist, create new, fresh music, and inspire concert goers in distinctive ways that’s sometimes hard to handle or believe after 40 plus years. A nicely paired, “Wading in the Velvet Sea” and ripping “First Tube” was a fitting encore leaving fans in a wonderous post show glow, along with a, ‘where is the “Reprise”’ that I’m guessing they are holding for a special moment in Hollywood. Three shows remain for Spring Tour. After last night, any extra tickets might not be so extra come Friday. It was a memorable night in the city by the Bay, a show that will stand up long after this tour has wrapped up.
Setlist- 4/23/25 – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, CA
SET 1: Simple -> Punch You in the Eye > Gumbo > Reba, The Well > David Bowie, Character Zero
SET 2: Sample in a Jar > Tweezer > Lonely Trip, Crosseyed and Painless > Pillow Jets, You Enjoy Myself
ENCORE: Wading in the Velvet Sea, First Tube
Gumbo contained Manteca teases from Page and Tweezer teases from Trey. Trey teased Manteca in Tweezer.
