Phish – 6/10/11 “The Curtain With” from Phish on Vimeo.

A recent take on “The Curtain”

Phish closed out a two-night run at Merriweather Post Pavilion Sunday night. For the fourth show in a row, Trey Anastasio plucked Phish’s first set opener choice from an array of song-request signs held up in the front rows. This time, the sign chosen was the band’s classic instrumental opener “Buried Alive.” Another bustout came next when the group launched into a cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Lonesome Cowvoy Bill,” which had not been played since July 30, 2003. This was followed by another rarity, the playful “Ha Ha Ha” penned by Jon Fishman. Other first set highlights included the funk-heavy combination of “Wolfman’s Brother” into Stevie Wonder’s “Boogie on Reggae Woman” and a melodic jam based around “Bathtub Gin.”

The second set took on a celebratory feel, opening with the first “Party Time” of 2011. Also included was the second ever version Trey Anastasio and Tom Marshall’s most recent collaboration, “Steam.” During the song’s “steam” refrain, gusts of fog filled the stage and, as the quartet moved into the song’s jam section, they could hardly be seen behind the thick cloud.

Phish closed out the show with an obscure three song encore of “Sanity,” “Makisupa Policeman” and “First Tube.” Similar to Saturday’s show, Mike Gordon switched over to a red vintage Fender precision bass for the encore.

The quartet will kick off a two-night run in Atlanta tomorrow. The shows will be via livephish.com.

Here’s a look at last night’s setlist via Phish.net

Sunday, June 12, 2011, Merriweather Post Pavillion, Columbia, MD

Set 1: Buried Alive, Lonesome Cowboy Bill, Ha Ha Ha, Sample in a Jar > The Divided Sky, Wolfman’s Brother -> Boogie On Reggae Woman > Gumbo, Halley’s Comet > Bathtub Gin > Jesus Just Left Chicago, Character Zero

Set 2: Party Time, Crosseyed and Painless > Steam > Light > The Wedge, Alaska, Halfway to the Moon, Harry Hood > Backwards Down the Number Line, Loving Cup

Encore: Sanity > Makisupa Policeman$this->footnoteID(‘1’,’‘) > First Tube

[1] With lyrics referencing blunts and bundt cake.

Notes: Lonesome Cowboy Bill was played for the first time since July 30, 2003 (141 shows). Makisupa included lyrics referencing blunts and a moist bundt cake.