Photo by Rene Huemer

Last night, Phish concluded their opening spring 2023 tour run at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. The evening was full of improvisational delights, along with a tribute to Seattle and global icon Jimi Hendrix during the first frame and an encore which saw the first time the band performed “Train Song” since Dec. 7, 2019.

With the 100% renewable energy arena dimmed per the request of Chris Kuroda, Phish broke stepped into the evening with “Axilla (Part II),” which melded into a funk-fueled “The Moma Dance.” They kept things on the grooving flowing side with “Wolfman’s Brother,” during which Page McConnell showcased some silky and stylish synth effects. Mike Gordon showed off his own inclinations on his fresh new Serek bass during the song as well.

Next, Trey Anastasio, after some Hendrix fretboard fireworks, fully committed as they dipped into the late rockstar’s iconic song “Izabella” After the song, Anastasio coyly said, “Gotta play one for a local musician, local musician Jimi Hendrix.” The venue-appropriate “Leaves” came next before they rounded the frame off with “Reba” and “Chalk Dust Torture.”

The second set was almost entirely a non-stop run starting with “Free” > “Ruby Waves” > “Piper” followed by “When the Circus Comes.” There was a very short pause as the sea of adoring fans took in the energy that Phish brought to The Emerald City for the first time in eight years. They then flowed into “Tube,” which was hinted at via the official poster for Climate Pledge Arena by artist Calder Moore. From “Tube” arose “Wading in the Velvet Sea,” which, after an incredible exposition of improvisation, became the ever-celebratory “Harry Hood.”

For the encore, Phish dusted off the aforementioned Gordon-penned “Train Song,” which was followed by “Brian and Robert” and set closer “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.”

Phish will continue their spring tour with three nights in Berkeley, Calif.

Seattle

Set I: Axilla (Part II) > The Moma Dance, Wolfman’s Brother[1] > Izabella, Leaves, Reba, Chalk Dust Torture

Set II: Free > Ruby Waves > Prince Caspian > Piper > When the Circus Comes, Tube > Wading in the Velvet Sea > Harry Hood

Enc.: Train Song, Brian and Robert, Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.

[1] Unfinished.

Wolfman’s Brother was unfinished. After Izabella, Trey said they had to play one by a local musician, Jimi Hendrix.