Wrigley Phield

Hey now! 

As was to be somewhat expected, I've been having so much fun on tour I haven't been writing much. Shows, after-shows, hangs, family meals, adventures, limited sleep. I have been actively engaged in my favorite place in the world - Phish tour. I fucking love Phish. Everything about it... the music, the scene, visiting different cities, living my liphe, interacting with local people who are always fascinated by the Phish community, local attractions and cuisines and most of all seeing, meeting and hanging with friends and family. EVERYTHING. It is the happiest place in the world for me, my utopia. 

Status

In the car heading north from Philadelphia to Saratoga with Gormley. Eli dropped off tour after Mann 1. Having a pro fan to travel with is imperative for tour. I don't have time or desire for bullshit. As always Todd has been a great tour bro. 

Shenanigans - Wrigley Night 1

It's been since the first night of tour since I've posted so a bit to catch up on here. I rolled into Chicago Thursday and met up with Jar, Miki and a Phish Virgin Heather. The plan was a good meal followed by sleep. Well that turned into a few drinks at one of my favorite bars in Chicago... Rossi's Liquors. It's a cash only dive bar in the middle of a bunch of hipster expensive spots in River North. We discovered this place during the Panic run and fell in love. The bartender Desiree has been slinging drinks and attitude since the 80s. She is awesome. They also have a touch tunes jukebox. I love playing DJ; being able to do so in a bar always makes me happy. We walked in, Panic was on, phamily was mingling with regulars, the bouncer was doing shots of tequila, Des was dominating, everyone was in good spirits. A great way to kick off the Chicago run. 

Woke up Saturday in Chicago, grabbed a bite to eat and then met Karl who brought us to a house party 3 blocks from Wrigley. Really cool people, good way to acclimate to the scene. Lots of people from the 'Land so it was fun to give well earned and deserved props to LeBron. 

We had a much bigger crew for Wrigley - for the first set we were about 20 people deep page side about half way back. We ended up surrounded by Chicago bros, shitty energy and talkers. As such We had a pretty bad first set. As did phish...

Phishing Report - 6/24/16 Wrigley Night 1

Everyone's experience at Phish is always impacted by one's circumstances - the people you are with, the energy of the folks around you, your buzz, etc. So yes the circumstances mentioned above obviously had an impact on my show. However I still believe the first set wasn't very good Phish. They seemed nervous and rushed. Trey in particular seemed very uncomfortable and fidgety. 

The first three songs were played very quickly and by the book, nothing special. The Rift was a miss and then set killer himself came out with his sickle and destroyed yet another set. Yarmouth Road is my least favorite phish song. It sucks the air out of every show when it appears. I challenge you to find a great set of phish that includes Yarmouth. The only thing I enjoyed about Yarmouth Road was Jeni's comment that at the end Mike looked so proud of himself. 

The Sand was solid - the only highlight of the set - and almost saved the day. But even a dope Sand couldn't undo the carnage caused by Yarmouth Road so we got a new song - Miss You. I guess I should feel really sentimental or something listening to that song but my first instinct was holy shit this song sucks. I tried thinking about loved ones I've lost to connect to the song but even that didn't make it work for me. Oh well they can't all be Mercury. Mike Gordon said before tour the new album has no ballads, isn't sappy and is "meaty". Miss You is the opposite of all of those things. Cactus bait and switch. Not the new Phish I was expecting. At all. 

Wedge -> Free was a nice combo for Carmine, Blaze On closed the uninspired set.

At set break we all abandoned ship and spilt off into different groups. Jar, Miki and I ended up together in the "back" of the field. I love being with the big crew (see the review for the following night) but sometimes it's easier to have a smaller contingency.

Surprisingly the back of the field sounded better, was at least 10 degrees color, had some air flow and a ton more space. More smokers and talkers - the cost of going backwards down the number line - but a much better pocket for us to get down. 

What a difference a set makes. Again this is partially circumstantial as we were much more comfortable but so was the band. 

The second set kicked ass and took names. Phish after dark is always more enjoyable to me. Down with Disease has been a go to second set opener - can set the stage for a great set. While the novelty of everyone gets a Fuego was cool during summer 2014 I think it kind of burnt the song out a bit; that being said this was a great version, it was played differently. And I still love singing "In San Diego, we keep it rolling."

Up next was an instant classic jam - the Wrigley Twist. Oh. My! GOD!!! That was one of the sexiest pieces of music I have ever heard. I was, once again, blown away and amazed by the Phish. For me this was the moment when I was personally settled into tour, let all of the stuff in my head go and, corny but true, surrendered to the flow. 

The 20 years later felt like smoking a joint after making love to that gorgeous twist. Waste, aka Phish wedding music, started up next and I immediately started making fun of it by ballroom dancing. In truth I enjoyed the Waste. Please don't tell anyone. 

The classic Fishman drumroll starts up indicating we are about to take off for outer space. I love me some 2001! One of the best moments at a phish show is when that one drop in 2001 happens and everyone just starts getting the funk down. Awesome version, fun dance party, we boogied down. Standard Number Line preceded the best Loving Cup since Festival Eight featuring a really cool extended jam at the end of the song. What a beautiful buzz. 

As you probably know if you're reading this, the first encore was an acapela Space Oddity - a tribute to both David Bowie and another important musical influence in the bands history. In the early 90s when Page told his landlord he was in a band, the landlord indicated he was also into music and kind of in a band himself - a barbershop quartet. Rather than blow him off, Page asked questions and discovered he was a barbershop quartet master who had been an international judge at barbershop quartet contests for over 30 years. The band took numerous lessons from him back in the day to expand their repertoire. Apparently he worked with the band vigorously and was especially hard on Trey. I imagine a JK Simmons in Whiplash type of teacher (in an extreme baritone) yelling at Trey to be better, hit the notes, quit fucking up, etc. 

After David Bowie joined all the other musicians that have gone too early this year, the band wanted to tribute him with an acapela Space Oddity. They attempted to track down their barbershop quartet teacher to help them but discovered that he had also passed away. So the song became a tribute to both David Bowie and their former teacher (whose name I haven't been able to track down - anyone? Bueller?)

The show ended with an Antelope that seemed to be cut a little short. Therefore the encore was Space -> Antelope, the name of Trey's junior or senior year high school band.

After the show we went back to the hotel to shower and clean up a bit to go out on the town. We ended up meeting with Jaclyn and Mike at Kingston Mines, a classic Blues bar in Chicago with live music going until 2:00 AM. For GD50 we had the same crew plus JW. Kingston is one of his favorite places in Chicago (he took me there the first time this spring during the Panic run - the place is awesome), so we went and toasted our missing partner in crime. 

It was a great combination of well dressed locals, hipsters and Phish fans. We saw two Chicago blues legends; Joanna Carter - she's absolutely amazing and another dude who plays a 3 guitar instrument. It was awesome. We called it a beautiful night, went back for the hotel and crashed hard. 

Phishing Report - 6/25/16 Wrigley Night 2

We got off to a bit of a late start Saturday. Well I say late start but let's be honest - day after show's generally get off to "late" starts. We had a nice meal and before you knew it, it was time to head back to the hotel to get ready for the show. I always have a nervous energy before a show; I can't imagine what the band is feeling. I double and triple check that I have everything - my tickets, my wallet, my towel, water, my toys, my fun. I do an idiot check immediately before leaving to make sure I have everything I need. 

We piled into an Uber and headed over to the phan art show. For a period I was a Phish merch addict, especially posters. Last year I scored my white whale (Rift) and haven't bought a poster since. I have retired from the game - so much so that for the first time in 3.0 I am traveling sans poster tube. However I don't have any regrets about the poster days - some of my favorite people in the Phish world are the people I met though posters. And the people you meet - that IS what it's about. It was great to see so many friends at the art show and catch up with my homies. 

We had a big crew again for night 2 but set up camp pretty far in the back at the start. We were in a much better pocket of energy. Room, limited talkers, surrounded by knowledgeable fans and of course friends. 

In the crew we had some of the usual suspects. We also had a friend of Miki's friend Heather experiencing her first Phish run. Heather had never seen Phish. They met at a Tool show and Heather is mostly a metal head but obviously a music lover. Heather had a rough first night of Phish, she had a 24 hour cold and like all of us wasn't really feeling Phish that first set. She hung in there but then had to leave the show. I was bummed out about this because I enjoy introducing people to Phish, the scene, the community, etc. I was grateful it was a double header so Heather would have another opportunity to see what it's all about. 

A Moma opener makes me happy, I like to dance right out of the gates and I love getting down to some Moma. I like 555, one of my more preferred Gordon songs. Getting the Happy Birthday to Richard was also good for us because it was Miki's birthday weekend. You can hear how much practice the band has had with their vocals (presumably from practicing for Space Oddity) in this version of I Didn't Know. 

Everything else was well played, Divided Sky pause was 1:26 (in honor of Pauly I had set the Over/Under at 1:30), we were having a blast. Everyone was in good spirits and enjoying it, dancing and having fun. Then Phish covered Zepplin - and the light went on for Heather. A good second set and she was going to be hooked. 

If you are bringing a metal head to her first show, you can't ask for a better opener than Carini. This one, as most of them do in these happy Phish days, started out dark but moved into that blissful happy place. Even though I prefer my Crini's dark and dirty this one was pretty special. 

Trey scratches the guitar, we recognize the lick, get ready to rumble because here comes Tweezer!!!! I don't think there is a better one two punch than Carini and Tweezer. My two favorite Phish songs back-to-back. I don't remember the details as much on this Tweezer (and I haven't listened back yet) but Tweezer is like sex - there is no such thing as a bad Tweezer, just different levels of awesomeness (or multiple levels of orgasms). 

This was followed by the joyous and triumphant return of Fluffhead. I like when Phish puts regular rotation songs on the shelf for a bit; the pent up excitement and talk and anticipation of when the next one is coming is palatable and then when the shelved song finally drops - the place explodes! So much fun. This Fluffhead was pretty spot on - I don't recall a flub. So beautiful. 

Piper was short, no slow intro but the transition into Steam was flawless. That's always a great song for the boys to transition into (writing this in Saratoga I am reminded of the 46 days -> Steam from a few years ago). The Steam was sultry, sexy, hot and, yes, steamy. What a great song. 

This set was on point....until Velvet Sea. Not a fan of the song but the break had been earned and needed by both the crowd and the band. So I didn't actually hate this version and appreciated the breather. 

Always love me some Hood, this was a cool rendition because most people were yelling "Caray" instead of "Hood" - a well earned and extremely appropriate tribute. I also like getting a Hood with Jar. Hollywood Hood was the return of really awesome Hoods and the moment when Jar first started to get Phish. Now he's an addict like the rest of us, but I remember that moment when it started to click for him. Speaking of, the greatest 4 minutes in rock n roll followed and I looked over at Heather who was tweeprising as hard as anyone. She was the comeback player of the run, could have easily folded and given up on Phish. Instead she loved her second show and had an amazing time. Watching people fall in love with anyone or anything makes me happy; even more so when it's something I love so much. 

Out of nowhere another cover encore - I am the Walrus. What a beautiful end to an incredible night of Phish. Especially that second set - it was special. It's why we do what we do. 

We usually have a big crew so a beacon of some sort helps. We didn't have a becom but all of the sudden a purple blow up unicorn fell from the sky. (Thanks Marc, Whitney & crew). Our posse of 10 or so followed the unicorn to the Vic for the Pink Talking Fish aftershow. It was awesome. The unicorn rode the rail. It was my third time seeing them and they have yet to disappoint. The highlight was probably Killing in the Name Of - none of the 3 bands in their name. What a super fun night. 

Grinds

We ate a big meal at Chicago Cut Steakhouse Thursday night. It was a beautiful night out so we sat on the river, drank some good red wine and had a nice meal. Can't say that it was better or worse than your average quality steak house, but it was a really enjoyable evening. 

Our daily meal Friday was at Rick Bayless' Topolobampo. We wanted to eat at Frontera based on St. Adam's recommendation (one of the true good guys in our scene - was such a pleasure running into him constantly this weekend) but there was a wait so we went to the high end side for fancy Mexican. I enjoyed my mini carnitas tostadas, solid meal but didn't blow me away. However Mexican food is in my blood having grown up in New Mexico and living in San Diego for 16 years; I'm a tough critic. 

Saturday we ate at Rockit Bar & Grill. I asked for the best burger in the area and Spirrison recommended Rockit last time I was in town. Loved the place so we went back. Jar is a tough critic and he liked it so much we ate there again Sunday morning. Rockit has a really cool rock star vibe, records everywhere, great food, cool servers. They even had a Bruddah Iz looking guy playing music. I walked over, gave him a tip and he asked me if I wanted Phish (based on my shirt). I actually said no (no phish on show day) and requested the Dead. He nailed the song. Cool spot. 

Tee Shirt Time 

Night one I went with a Grateful Dead shirt in honor of the last time a good portion of the crew was together in Chicago - GD50. Still one of the greatest weekends of all time. And not because of the music (which is almost unlistenable) but because of the experience. 

For the second show I went with my blue My Morning Jacket owl shirt. I had my San Francisco Giants Phish shirt during the day to represent but didn't want to violate my Phish shirt to a Phish show policy. And the blue shirt matched my shorts. Have to look presentable at Phish. Wook in sheeps clothing. 

I often judge the success of my shirts based on any comments. A dead shirt to a Phish show doesn't generate any looks or surprises, of course. The Jacket shirt got a few head nods from other dudes (and it was always dudes) wearing MMJ shirts. 

DJ Phink

I highly recommend Kamasi Washington's album The Epic. The album took him 4 years to make. It's incredible. He is the truth. Check it out. And do anything you can to see him. #kamasiposse

Summary

Man I love Chicago. It's such an awesome city. When the weather is perfect it's arguably the best city in the country. Since the shitshow of the Phish Northerly Island run of 2013 where we were pounded with weather and Phish had to cancel the show mid Caspian, the weather has been perfect every time I have visited. Phish 2014, GD50, WSMFP 2016, Wrigley. That's quite a run of great weather, great music, great experiences. 

The city is such an amazing host. Below is what I wrote about the city after GD50. I am repeating it because it still holds up today. Chicago was again a beautiful host for the Phish from Vermont. 

"A huge shout out of gratitude to the Windy City. Chicago was the perfect host this weekend. Top to bottom Chicago had such a welcoming vibe, the host with the most. Every single local person I interacted with, whether working or hanging out, was so pleasant and enjoyable and helpful and happy. The people I already knew in Chicago went out of their way to make sure it was an incredible time, the people I didn't know did the same.  So much so I was going out of my way to thank everyone on my way out of the stadium after each show - ushers, guards, cops, bartenders, etc.  Jar and JW thought it was a bit much when I thanked the garbage men on LSD (Lake Shore Drive - the people on actual LSD were at Soldier Field). There really isn't another city in the world that could have done better hosting Fare thee Well. Thank you Chicago, you were just exactly perfect."

High expectations for the SPAC run. I fucking love Phish.