Phish pulled into Chicago tonight for the first of three shows at the intimate UIC Pavilion that cap off this section of Summer Tour 2011. The group last played at the indoor venue back in 1998 for a memorable three-night stand on November 7 – 9.
The run’s first set got off to a high energy start with another sizzling version of Back On The Train. Guelah Papyrus and Scent of a Mule kept the old school vibe going and led into a fitting cover of ZZ Top’s Jesus Just Left Chicago. Wolfman’s Brother gave us our first jam and what a Wolfman’s it was. While it didn’t stray too far from the usual territory Wolfman’s explores, this take featured a call and response segment from Mike Gordon and Page McConnell, melodic riffing from Trey Anastasio and a funky backbeat provided by Jon Fishman. Seek out this Wolfman’s, you won’t be sorry.
A tender Anything But Me gave the crowd a cool down period and was the first ABM in two years. Next up was the Phish premiere of Babylon Baby, a staple of the Mike Gordon Band’s repertoire since its debut in March. A typically beautiful Reba led into a powerful Alumni Blues closer that from the looks of the tweets blew the roof of the place and included a rough attempt at Letter To Jimmy Page in the middle. In looking at the reports coming in from Chicago you see one mention of “energy” after another as there’s nothing like indoor shows where the fans surround the band.
READ ON for the recap of the rest of tonight’s show as well as the setlist and The Skinny…
Hot on the heels of an all-around smoker last night, Phish returns to Alpine Valley for the final Midwest gig of the summer. We’ll have John Schulze’s review and photo set from Night One up soon, but for me the highlights were a tight Fuck Your Face, a ridiculous Down With Disease that contained three distinct jams before seguing into the rare instrumental What’s The Use?, the Sallypaug and a funky cover of Quinn The Eskimo.
Justin Wendt from Oh Kee Pah Blog will be reporting live from the show for @YEMblog. You can also follow the action at PhishTwit and through JamBase/Phish. READ ON for the setlist once the show begins…
