Photo Credit: Joshua Frances

Last night at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wis., Phish delivered the first of three concerts slated to take place at the storied pavilion setting this weekend. The night’s location holds significance to Phish and their fanbase, who have descended upon the lush green lawn for over two decades since their debut performance in the mid-’90s. The concert marked the band’s return to the fabled stage for the first time since July 14, 2019. The post-pandemic display presented an off-kilter take on “The Moma Dance,” followed by an extended run-through on a cover of TV on the Radio’s  “Golden Age” and the original “Ghost.” 

The Friday night display got underway with the first show opening, “Fuego,” since Nov. 1, 2014, which saw some jams before Trey Anastasio addressed the crowd with a “Thank you” to cap the first number of the night. “Clear Your Mind” arrived next and was paired alongside “Twist,” which ran into “Halley’s Comet,” perhaps a cosmic nod toward the annual Perseid meteor shower, which is currently on display in the night sky– with peak viewing times taking place last night and carrying over this evening. The latter ran into a Mike Gordon-led “Destiny Unbound” before the ensemble performed a rare jammed-out take on “The Moma Dance” before closing the number in a more standard fashion. 

“Drift While Your Asleep” closed the first set before the band returned to the stage for the second stretch of music, beginning with the first “Ass Handed” of the band’s current tour. The fan-favorite stretched into an explorative take on “Set Your Soul Free.” For their following number, Phish covered TV on the Radio’s original “Golden Age,” which has been a part of their live repertoire since it debuted on Nov. 27, 2009, at the former Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. 

Phish followed up from their cover with “ Lonely Trip,” which featured a keys solo led by Page McConnell, before Anastasio promptly rolled into the chords of “Ghost.” “Ghost” unfolded into a “The Howling,” another nod toward the night sky, only this time, the full moon overhead. “Simple” followed and was performed with particular speed and tenacity to finish the night on a high which carried over into the set ending “David Bowie.” 

For their encore, Phish decided on “The Lizards” before a show-closing “More” nudged the idea that they’d return to the stage for more the next night. Phish will continue their stand at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wis., tonight before closing out the run on Sunday, Aug. 14. After this weekend’s midwest display, Phish will take two weeks off the road before reconvening on Sept. 1, for a four-night sold-out summer tour ender at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. 

Tickets for tonight and tomorrow’s shows in East Troy, Wis., are still available and can be purchased here. 

Phish 

Alpine Valley Music Theatre – East Troy, Wis. 

Aug. 12, 2022 

Set I: Fuego, Clear Your Mind > Twist > Halley’s Comet > Destiny Unbound, The Moma Dance, Drift While You’re Sleeping 

Set II: Ass Handed  > Set Your Soul Free > Golden Age > Lonely Trip > Ghost > The Howling > Simple > David Bowie 

Enc.: The Lizards, More 

Setlist via Phish.net.