Phish covering the Beatles in Upstate New York in ’94

Phish returned to Canandaigua, NY’s CMAC Performing Arts Center for the first time in 15 years last night. The Vermont Quartet played the small amphitheater a three times in the 1990s, including an opening spot for Santana in 1992. Last night’s performance was put together by Bowery Presents, the New York-based concert promoters responsible for Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge, as well as a number of indie-centric shows around the Northeast.

The members of Phish opened their set with Undermind ’s radio single “The Connection,” a song the band has only played publicly three times. Phish’s first set also included the group’s third take on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” since reviving the song at Fenway Park in 2009. In addition, the band’s second set featured a unique Mike’s Groove that sandwiched a cover of the Beatles’ “I am the Walrus” between “Simple” and “Weekapaug Groove.” Though Phish had never played “I am the Walrus” before last night, Trey Anastasio covered the song with his various solo projects during Phish’s extended break. “I am the Walrus” is the second John Lennon song Phish has added to its repertoire this summer—the band also debuted a cover of Lennon’s “Instant Karma,” a song Page McConnell has played with his solo groups over the years. The members of Phish have introduced a new original song or cover almost every night of their tour this summer.

6/29/2010, CMAC Performing Arts Center, Canandaigua, NY

Set I: The Connection, Down With Disease, Sample In A Jar, Ocelot, Reba, Horn, Funky Bitch, Undermind, The Ballad of Curtis Loew, David Bowie

Set II: Possum, Mike’s Song > Simple > I Am The Walrus > Weekapaug Groove, Limb By Limb, Joy, Harry Hood, Golgi Apparatus

E: First Tube