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Dick's1 Recap: The Unbearable Lightness of Being Dick's, posted by phishnet

[We would like to thank Josh Cohron (@cohron1) aka @JoshCohron for recapping last night's show. -Ed.]

When a band has been around for as long as Phish has and has created the devoted following they have, expectations are naturally going to arise. The fanbase has little idea how much our expectations are felt by the band. When there is a collective disappointment or unrest among Phish fans, does Phish know?

This question was on my mind as I traveled out for the show. With the abrupt, confusing ending to Mondegreen eleven days prior, would the band want to come out firing in their first show since? Did they even need to, given what happened seemed out of their control?

Or, maybe the “No Analyze” rule is true for more than just the music played onstage. Maybe Trey and his bandmates, with their 40+ years of experience, are determined to keep looking forward. They don’t wonder “What if?” about a Sunday night Mondegreen show that didn’t happen.

The Dick’s run has expectations for a litany of reasons: it’s closed out every Summer Tour since 2011, the “FUCKYOURFACE” show, the 2012 run as a whole, the “THANKYOU” show, 9/1/17, the post-Curveball catharsis of 8/31/18 and a host of legendary jams.Dick’s is the venue that has hosted the second most Phish shows. Whether there were expectations going into Thursday night or not, when the band is at a place where they’re so comfortable, do those expectations matter?

The venue was as undersold as I’ve ever seen. Large swaths of seats in the back of the stands were empty and the crowd in the field didn’t get as far back as usual. I assume that’s because the added Thursday show is always a little roomier due to work schedules of a fanbase with more responsibilities than they had twenty years ago.

“Cities” had never been played at Dick’s, so naturally it opened the show. Us stat nerds all gave knowing nods as a beloved song was finally played at a beloved venue. “Cities” got the jam treatment as a bonus treat.

Once that wrapped up, Mike’s swirling bass sound indicated “Down with Disease” in the 2-hole, which was reminiscent of when “DWD” was played in the same spot at Dick’s in 2016. It wasn’t the longest or most unique “Disease” ever, but the band had been onstage for 28 minutes and were only two songs in. Things were trending well.

When “Ether Edge” began, my initial thought was that they’d earned the cooldown. But, “Ether Edge”? Is there ever a right time for the song that sounds like the 80s/90s Christian song “Lord I Lift Your Name on High”? I took a seat to catch my breath and wait for what was next.But, what came next was “Ether Edge” going and going. Trey and Fish gradually started pushing the tempo and a rousing jam commenced. I never saw it coming. Take that for expectations.

“Llama” followed and was rollicking in all the ways it always is. “Theme From the Bottom” was the next choice and wasn’t the cleanest version, so “Sugar Shack” following made my brow furrow. Bluntly, I was wondering if Trey’s chops were ready for the tricky solo that has been his foil in years past? Spoiler alert: his chops were up to the challenge.

The slinky “Ocelot” followed and this version seemed to have some extra slink on it. “Golgi Apparatus” then made its second appearance of the year and was played clean and well. The ever versatile “Blaze On” was tabbed as the set closer and was as energetic and fiery as you’d expect a set-closing “Blaze On” to be.

It was a strong first set with some extended jamming in the first three songs. Would the band regain its jamming momentum in Set 2?“Ghost” opened and I flashed back to the huge, Set 2-opening version from earlier in the month. This “Ghost” didn’t go quite as long or deep as Deer Creek’s did, but was still a solid jam that went about fifteen minutes.

“A Wave of Hope” came next, but never found its footing and was the shortest version since last year’s at the same venue. “Sigma Oasis” followed and made up for what “A Wave of Hope” wasn’t. A mind-bending jam sprang forth and this “Sigma Oasis” is one of the stronger performances of the song’s short, but strong history.

“Pillow Jets” was the next song chosen and picked up right where “Sigma Oasis” had left off. The jamming continued and the “Sigma Oasis” and “Pillow Jets” duo had a runtime of over 42 minutes. This section of the show is must-hear.“2001” followed and everyone danced and some threw glowsticks and it was exactly how you’d expect a celebratory “2001” to be after a huge jam segment. A well-played “Harry Hood” punctuated the second set.

“Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” took its customary spot in the encore to send everyone off after one more raucous throwdown.

It was another strong show in a summer full of strong shows. I have no idea if the band felt they had anything to “prove” after the odd ending to Mondegreen. Frankly, I’m not sure it matters.

It’s trite, but Dick’s is Dick’s. Dick’s wasn’t the Mondegreen Make-Up Show. Dick’s wasn’t the Curveball Make-Up Show in 2018.

Dick’s is the coda to Summer Tour. Dick’s is comfortable. Dick’s stands tall among the many legendary venues Phish has made feel like home.

Isn’t a place that feels like home where expectations can be left at the door?