Phish Chicago 7/15/17. Saturday night

Not so quick thoughts night 2 of 21...

Words will not be able to adequately describe what I felt and experienced last night during Phish. But as is the norm I will try. 

First set I was a bit further back in the crowd, page side. After spending the first night up close I didn't really notice the lights. Being back gave me a true appreciation for how awesome they are. First and foremost they aren't distracting - my major issue with the LED lights. They also have an amazing ability to move up and down, making the room feel bigger or smaller depending upon the configuration. Major change and in my opinion a huge upgrade from the LED. 

It was a chaotic Saturday night "party time" in the Windy City. People were getting loose. Kind of expected but I don't understand why the fuck people continue to talk at phish. It makes no sense to me. Anyway partly distracted by all the shenanigans going on around it was tough for me to find a happy spot with the first few songs. Seemed OK enough. Then they started up party time and I thought oh shit it's going to be one of those nights. But alas I felt like that was the first moment phish really found the groove - or perhaps I found my groove. 

The wingsuit that followed was special. So soulful. Loved this version. Things were looking up. They started up bouncing, a phish starter kit song but one that for whatever reasons seems to find its way into special nights of phish. More keeps growing on me more, if you will, and this was a spectacular version. I really enjoyed how much it spoke to Jay. Right song at the right time for a great friend. Phish doesn't always play what you want to hear, but they play what you need to hear. 

I was feeling confident about the second set. Little did I know what was about to go down. 

Another new song kicked of the second set. Prominent placement for a new tune, don't remember it exactly - future and past and ozone layers were involved - but my immediate reaction was positive. Phish continues to make new music. This is a great thing. What happened next is a beautiful thing and why we do what we do. Why phish has the loyalist and most dedicated fan base in the world. Why they are the kings. The best in the business. The. Best. Band. In. The. World.  

Simple was absolutely insane. More than once I had jamnesia forgetting what song they were playing. The sound was really heady and deep and exploratory, furthering my belief that the band is going to be taking the classics out for huge spins for the bakers dozen. It was patient and awe inspiring. The band was locked in. 

The way Trey plays Winterqueen always moves me. It's weird, not a song I would typically like (granted whatever the fuck that means) but his solo in the song is always beautiful. The transition into light, typically jarring, was a perfect example of how locked in the boys were. The segues from song to song (perhaps excluding Corona where they didn't quite know what to do with the end of the debut tune) were all so expertly crafted and patient. That's when phish is at their best...patiently exploring and taking the time to let the ideas grow. 

Scents... oh me, oh my. One of my top 10 phish songs (note my top 10 phish song list is probably about 20 deep) and this was such an amazing version. It started light and beautiful and went a little dark and out there and then back to the beauty of the colors in the void. Bravo phish!

Any cities is a good cities and a little funk was post that scents was a perfect call. Another flawless ->, Trey fucked up some lyrics, but a fun get down jam. It didn't feel particularly long but it's not the length it's the girth. Sexy night of phish. 

All of that said and I still haven't gotten to what was, in a life full of great moments, one of the greatest moments of my life. 

The emotions that came out of me during that Slave are hard to put into words. I was feeling such a moment of gratefulness for my life, where I was at that very moment, holding on tight (because everything's right) to Holly, thinking about my mom and my pops (I took my pops to one phish show and his favorite song was slave) and everything they have done for me - the love and encouragement and positive energy that I received from them (really everyone in my life) to make me the man I am today. I thought about my sister and everything she does for me. I thought about my friends and family that have given me so much. I thought about jake dog and Jackson. I had an overflowing sense of joy and appreciation and gratefulness...and the tears just starting flowing. And honestly not just flowing. I was crying. Bawling. Tears of joy. Tears of gratitude. Tears of gratefulness. Tears of appreciation. Tears of pride of the human being I am today because of the love I have received. Tears at being one of the luckiest people in the world. Phish moved me to tears. Yet again. Thank you. 

A loving cup encore was perfect. The stones. My mom. Dancing with my beautiful girlfriend. What a beautiful buzz indeed. 

In summary tonight was one of the most beautifully constructed and played sets of music I have ever experienced. I had one of the most emotionally moving moments of my life. I was with friends and loved ones. It was why we do what we do. 

Postscript: After the show we went and had our minds blown by Circles around the Sun. Post phish live music generally doesn't hold up. Especially after that set. But CATS brought IT.  A truly epic heady psychedelic throw down. Go see them if you have the chance. You will not be disappointed. 

#Collectingmoments

#liveyourliphe