June 19

Phish Portsmouth nTelos: Setlist & Skinny

Scott Bernstein June 19, 2011 5 Comments

We’ve come to the end of the first leg of Phish Summer Tour 2011. Tonight’s performance at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Portsmouth, VA is the 18th and last of the run. Phish has only played at the intimate venue once before this evening, back on June 15, 2010.

[From @Phish_FTR]

Phish played on Father’s Day for the third year in a row tonight. To mark the occasion, the band members welcomed each of their fathers to the stage during the show opening Harpua. This extreme rarity (10th version in 15 years) didn’t feature an extensive narration with guitarist Trey Anastasio taking a quick opportunity to welcome the audience to the show and explain that the tune was performed in honor of a fan a sign for their 31st birthday. The fan was birthday girl Kristen Goess who attended the show with her mother. She brought a sign that said “31 Minute Walls of the Cave” on the front and “For My 31st Birthday” on the back. Kristen not only got Harpua played in her honor, but Walls of the Cave as well (though not a 31-minute version). Trey then introduced all of the band member’s fathers who helped sing the call and response section at the end of the song making for a memorable moment.

[Photo via SpencerBC]

READ ON for the setlist and The Skinny…

Review and Photos: Phish @ SPAC

Hidden Track Staff June 21, 2010 5 Comments

Words: John Coleman
Images: Rob Chapman

Phish @ SPAC, June 19

After leaving Tweezer ‘reprise-less’ in Hershey last Sunday, Phish reconciled by serving up a double dose of Tweezer Reprise in Hartford on Friday night; appeasing those who feel it only necessary that Tweezer come full circle with a Tweezer Reprise later in the set.

That brings us to Saturday night’s show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. A muggy affair at the amphitheater set in the tall pines and old oaks of the Spa State Park in scenic Saratoga Springs, NY.

[All Photos by Rob Chapman]

It was said to be a sell out, but tickets were an easy find in the lot. In any case, the powers that be at SPAC really packed ’em in. The Times Union (Albany) reported 25,000, which is a sell-out, but it felt like more. The lawn was busting at the seams and it looked as though there were two heads per seat in the pavilion. Being on the lawn (standing at 5′ 8″) it was tough to turn around without getting a face full of back sweat. But despite the stickiness, the crowd wasn’t pushy and everyone was amicable.

Set I

Feel free to throw on your ’79 Bill Walton Clippers jersey, because it was a throwback first set. The Tweeprise opener was followed by Chalkdust Torture, Funky Bitch and a Runaway Jim, which saw Trey lay the groundwork for for what would be some nice exploratory jams throughout the night.

READ ON for more of John’s thoughts and Rob’s photos…