After three one-off shows in Toronto, Cuyahoga Falls and Charlotte, Phish settled in for their two-night stand at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Having played 13 shows at the venue in 3.0 prior to last night, the band was clearly comfortable, delivering a rocking Saturday night performance, highlighted by efficient type-two jams in both sets.

Set one began with “Undermind,” a song that had never opened any set before. The upbeat, contained jam quickly gave way to the first highlight of the night: “Tube.” After some typical funk to start the jam, a beautiful major key jam emerged. The band has been playing this song quite well in recent years, and this is certainly another quality version. “Funky Bitch” followed, and this version was a ripper, with quality solos from both pianist Page McConnell and guitarist Trey Anastasio. “Steam” came next, complete with actual steam on stage. This was great placement for this song. Like “Tube,” this contained a brief but quality jam. “My Sweet One” is always a treat, as is “NICU.” Next came the Phish debut of the Ghosts of the Forest song “Friend.” A slower song, this served as the breather for the set, but it did contain an emotive solo from Anastasio. He then signaled for “No Men in No Men’s Land,” and again Phish delivered a quality type-two jam containing “Blister in the Sun” teases. Next came the standard duo of “The Horse”> “Silent in the Morning,” followed by “David Bowie.” Finally, “Squirming Coil” emerged, and McConnell’s solo brought the set to a fitting close.

Set two began with “Ghost.” This version brought the heat quickly, with the band wasting no time getting to a fantastic hose jam. Multiple incredible peaks brought the energy in the room to a frenzy. The band doubled down on the crowd’s fervor and played the rare second set “Axilla” (the previous four renditions were played in the first set). “Set Your Soul Free” also contained a fantastic, multi-faceted jam, including an unusual, piano-led funk jam in the final section. As the jam fizzled out, Phish launched into the instrumental “What’s the Use?,” which rarely disappoints. This version was no different, with the band expertly navigating the dynamic sections. The ballad “Billy Breathes” followed, which is always a treat, followed by the Kasvot Växt favorite “Death Don’t Hurt Very Long.” “Backwards Down the Number Line” entered next, containing a quality, albeit type-one improvised section. With the typical tom-tom roll, drummer Jon Fishman signaled the Phish staple “Harry Hood.” This contained another type-two jam before giving way to the standard “Hood” ending. Anastasio then attempted to begin “Rise/Come Together,” but seemed to play the riff in the wrong key at first. The band recovered quickly, however, and then launched into a rollicking “Golgi Apparatus” to end the set. The encore of “Bug” and “Character Zero” was standard, but rocking as always. A quality Saturday night of Phish.

Phish tour continues tonight at the Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Check out the full setlist – as it appears in our Box Scores section – as well as video of each set opener below:

Phish
June 22, 2019
Merriweather Post Pavilion Columbia, MD

Set I: Undermind, Tube, Funky Bitch, Steam > My Sweet One > NICU, Friend*, No Men In No Man’s Land > The Horse > Silent in the Morning, David Bowie, The Squirming Coil

Set II: Ghost > Axilla > Set Your Soul Free > What’s the Use? > Billy Breathes, Death Don’t Hurt Very Long > Backwards Down the Number Line > Harry Hood > Rise/Come Together > Golgi Apparatus

Enc: Bug > Character Zero

Notes:
*Phish debut

Source: Phish.net