Photo by Jake Silco via @phishfromtheroad.

On Dec. 6, Phish kicked off their three-night run in at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, S.C. The show was highlighted with unique song choices and unexpected type-two jams in the first set and a unique type-two jam during “Scents and Subtle Sounds.” It is also worth noting that the band has yet to repeat a song during this entire tour.

The first set began, fittingly, with an a cappella rendition of “Carolina,” eliciting cheers from the Charleston crowd. “Party Time” came next, followed by the fourth ever performance of Shuggie Otis’ “Strawberry Letter 23,” which was debuted at the Baker’s Dozen. A standard “Undermind” followed, leading to the seventh ever rendition of “I Been Around.” Interestingly, the North Charleston Coliseum is the only venue that “I Been Around” has been performed at twice. “Divided Sky” came next, which featured delicate playing from guitarist Trey Anastasio. Two relatively rare choices, “The Sloth” and “Destiny Unbound” came next. “Destiny Unbound” was a standout version, featuring a rare type-two jam. The band moved from its typical funky F# jamming into a major key, blissful jam. While the transition back to the final verse was a bit rocky, it was worth the prior improvisation. “We Are Come To Outlive Our Brains,” debuted during the Kasvot Vaxt set on Halloween 2018 led straight into “My Friend, My Friend,” which then transitioned to “About to Run” from Anastasio’s Ghosts of the Forest project. “The Horse > Silent in the Morning” looked as if it would close the set, but Phish rolled on, finishing the first frame with a quality rendition of “David Bowie.”

The rocking “Axilla” kicked off the second frame, which led to Anastasio teasing the main riff throughout the set. The highlight of the show was an 18-minute “Scents and Subtle Sounds,” performed with its intro section. The “Scents” jam was not even a typical type-two jam. Often, Phish builds to a major-key peak as the marquee moment of the jam; this was not the case during “Scents.” The band seemed to shirk all preconceived notions of their improvising structures, opting for full exploration. As the jam began to fizzle, keyboardist Page McConnell began “No Quarter.” “Your Pet Cat” followed, allowing the band to explore some funkier textures. “Mercury” featured a short but sweet type-two jam – featuring superb playing from drummer Jon Fishman – before transitioning somewhat abruptly to the high-energy “Saw It Again.” “Limb By Limb” also contained some interesting improvisation and featured a smooth move into “The Lizards.” A rocking “Suzy Greenberg” closed the set.

Phish played a three song encore, beginning with the first “Bittersweet Motel” since July 6, 2016 (134 shows). “Death Don’t Hurt Very Long” followed, and a standard “Loving Cup” ended the night on a high note.

Phish tour continues tonight in North Charleston, S.C. Check out videos of the first and second set openers below, as well as a complete setlist (via Phish.net).

Phish
Dec. 6, 2019
North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, S.C.

SET I: Carolina, Party Time, Strawberry Letter 23 > Undermind, I Been Around > Divided Sky, The Sloth, Destiny Unbound, We Are Come to Outlive Our Brains > My Friend, My Friend[1] > About to Run, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, David Bowie

SET II: Axilla > Scents and Subtle Sounds > No Quarter > Your Pet Cat, Mercury > Saw It Again > Limb By Limb[2] > The Lizards, Suzy Greenberg

Enc: Bittersweet Motel[3] > Death Don’t Hurt Very Long > Loving Cup

[1] No “Myfe” ending.
[2] Unfinished.
[3] Lyrics changed to “halfway from Charleston to Pittsburgh.”